For ages 5-12
Hard Cover, 36 pages
6-3/4" x 8-1/4"
Fair play and sportsmanship are promoted in all of our personalized sports books. Your child will experience the emotional ups and downs of sports play in each action packed story.
Sample wordage:
This book can be used for any sport....
Softball was used below, however it can be used for football game, tennis match, soccer game, just about any sports event.
This book was created
especially for
Marie Robinson
at the age of 8
Hugs & Kisses From
Mom & Dad
May 10, 2006
Marie Robinson rolled over in bed, saw dawn was already breaking and knew she would not be able to go back to sleep. She had tossed and turned most of the night because she was excited. This restlessness, however, was also partly due to an aching calf muscle.
As Marie started to get up, she once again felt the tightening in her leg. She rubbed her muscle and the tension eased.
Now, fully awake, Marie was very aware of the half-queasy, half-exhilarated feeling that came before every important softball game. But today was not like every other sports day. Today, Marie Robinson was competing in the last and most important softball game of the season. The championship was at stake!
While Marie was eating breakfast, dozens of thoughts filled her mind. She imagined her friends and family at the softball game standing and cheering for her. She could almost hear the announcer saying, "Marie Robinson of Worcester, Massachusetts, is simply spectacular today."
Then her thoughts turned back to reality. Marie drank her orange juice and rubbed her leg. She knew it was time to leave when she saw Joshua and Candice outside the kitchen window.
The ride seemed unusually long this morning. When they finally reached their destination, Marie could see several people were already warming up. She rushed to join her teammates.
The announcement was made that it was time to begin. The softball game got off to a good start. Marie felt winning was possible. The team was in great condition.
It soon became apparent that the teams were evenly matched. First one, then the other, took the lead. With only minutes left, defeat or victory depended entirely on Marie. Her early morning vision was coming true!
Then it happened! Suddenly the dull ache in her leg muscle became a terrible cramp. Marie tried to go on. Again the muscle knotted and the pain was fierce. There was no doubt about it, she could no longer compete.
The softball game ended. The championship was won by the opposing team.
As the group gathered around the van, Marie began to think of everything that had happened before the softball game. She remembered her leg aching during the night and how restless she had been. The excitement of the championship had pushed the pain out of her mind until the fierce cramp had become unbearable.
Marie also thought about her dream of being the hero of the day. This morning's dream of stardom seemed foolish. She felt discouraged.
Marie and the others began to pile into the van when they saw the coach approaching. One by one they took their seats.
Marie wondered what would be said and how Coach Tom would react. She wished she could disappear.
Coach Tom stopped to talk to some of the parents. Inside the van, there was total silence. No one spoke. Marie knew that everyone was upset. She was feeling very uneasy.
The coach got into the van. Marie continued staring at the floor. Coach Tom broke the long silence. "We all gave our best today. All of you on the team gave 100 percent. The cheers from the rest of you gave us a real boost. Marie, how's your leg?"
Marie looked up. The coach was wonderful!! This softball game had meant everything to the team, yet Coach Tom was more concerned with how Marie felt.
Coach Tom then told a hilarious story, and they all began to laugh and talk at once. With words and antics, they created an instant replay of the entire softball game. They made fun of themselves until they were weak with laughter. The tension between them ended, and their friendship became stronger.
By the time they arrived at their favorite pizza place, Marie felt good. The aroma of the food coming from the restaurant smelled fantastic. Marie had already decided on a medium cheese pizza and a large drink.
The restaurant was busy. Coaches, athletes and spectators came to eat and talk about the efforts of the teams.
As they were waiting to order, a team member joked, "Marie Robinson, every time we compete, you get better and better. One of these days you might even get a professional offer." They all patted Marie on the back. No one could lose with friends like these.
Coach Tom put an arm around Marie and hugged her. "Stack them up, team," said the coach. The teammates piled one hand on top of the other. Marie felt so good that she forgot the dull ache in her leg.
Marie joined Joshua and Candice and her other friends who were sitting in a booth at the back of the restaurant. Marie was glad to see them. She had just begun to tell them about Coach Tom when she saw Kia.
Kia was a know-it-all who never missed a chance to put someone down. Anyone who had a bad day at any sports event was a sure target. Kia's outspoken meanness was well known in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Marie felt her heart pounding rapidly. She struggled to catch her breath. Kia had seen Marie and was coming straight toward her. There was no place to hide.
Kia was definitely one of the few people who always came to criticize. Even adults often cringed at Kia's remarks. Marie could feel everyone looking at her.
"Well, Marie, how does it feel losing the biggest softball game of the year single-handedly?" Kia's voice boomed.
Everyone stopped eating. The entire restaurant was silent.
Joshua and Candice looked up. Marie was fighting to keep control of her emotions. All earlier feelings of disappointment came flooding back. What could she say?
Only a few minutes passed, but to Marie it seemed like forever. She tried to speak, but no words would come.
Coach Tom slowly got up from the table and walked over to Kia. "If I remember correctly, Kia," said the coach, "your poor sportsmanship caused the penalty which lost us the championship last year. It was Marie who stuck up for you and Marie who sat with you in this same restaurant when no one else would. How can you criticize the one person who has treated you like a friend?"
Kia started to answer, but seeing the look on the coach's face, knew it was best to keep quiet.
Kia, speechless, was a sight to behold. A sigh of relief spread throughout the entire restaurant.
As they left the pizza place, everyone began buzzing with conversation. Joshua and Candice recalled times when Marie had been nice to others when they needed it. Marie always seemed to be there with a word of encouragement. Each one agreed that today's loss was not the end of the world.
Win or lose, they knew that they could always count on Marie Robinson for friendship and support. Everyone was really glad Marie was on their team.
The awards banquet was held a few weeks later. Parents, friends, and relatives brought their favorite dishes. Chicken, lasagna, potato salad, green beans, casseroles, garden salads, and every dessert imaginable filled the tables. The food was always delicious at these gatherings.
The team got together and talked about many things. One topic was the surprise plaque for Coach Tom which they had all chipped in to buy. Marie was pleased about this gift. It was a super way to say thank you to a special coach.
Most of the conversation, however, was about the Sportsmanship Trophy. This was the most-coveted award of all. Each athlete imagined how that trophy would look on a shelf at home.
The sportsmanship award was voted on by the team. Each member was entitled to one vote.
Several days before the banquet, Coach Tom had explained to the group the qualifications for this trophy. According to Coach Tom, three qualities were needed. The athlete had to show good team spirit, play by the rules of the sport and be gracious in victory or defeat. The coach had added that, although the trophy was not given specifically for athletic ability, a good athlete could win.
The ballots were cast at the banquet. There were many who qualified this year, and the vote was sure to be close.
The banquet room was very festive. Balloons, bright paper streamers, laughter and conversation all added to the excitement.
Coach Tom stood to begin the presentations, and the team quickly took their seats. Marie sat next to Joshua and Candice. In spite of the fact they were excited, a hush came over the room.
"We have had a great season," said Coach Tom. "We've learned about teamwork, winning and losing. We have learned the discipline of weekly practices, but most importantly we've learned about friendship and sportsmanship."
One by one, the team members were called up to receive their participation trophy. Coach Tom spoke of the special talent of each athlete as the awards were presented. These remarks meant a lot to the team. They listened carefully to the words of the coach.
As the last of the trophies were given out, the anticipation began to grow. Finally, only the large, shiny, gold Sportsmanship Trophy remained on the table. Everyone held their breath. The coach continued, "The vote was close this year. In fact, the trophy was won by only one vote. Marie Robinson, your teammates have voted that this award go to you."
Unknown to everyone, Kia had cast the tie-breaking vote.
The team had not won the championship, but they had learned many important lessons. They knew it was difficult to lose, but as long as they kept trying, they could not be defeated. Good sportsmanship now had real meaning. Winning was not everything. Their spirits had never been higher. Marie beamed with pride as the team gathered around her. Groups of friends excitedly talked about the fantastic team they would have next year. Marie Robinson was eagerly looking forward to another season.
Autographs
for
Marie Robinson
