The Baseball Rookie - Who Is The Fastest Dog In Dogwood?

If every dog in Dogwood were polled as to who was the fastest dog in the neighborhood, the majority of the votes would go to Rookie. Rookie, however, always thought his sister, Nora, was faster. “I have seen Nora chase down squirrels so fast in our yard,” Rookie would bark to his buddies, “that would make Nora a gold medal winner in any Olympics.” Nora, ever humble, would always praise Rookie for his speed and burst catching frisbees, tennis balls, or anything else thrown to him.

Well, one day, after a spirited walk around the Dogwood Little League complex, Nora and Rookie spotted a poster on the community board. “Who is the Fastest Dog in Dogwood?” The two playfully barked at each other before a small crowd of their friends came around the board to egg them on. One of their friends, Dozier, yelped, “well you two, let’s settle this argument once and for all. On the baseball diamond, Saturday morning, 10am.” Nora and Rookie laughed and agreed to race, sealing the deal with a high five, a high paw.

The scene at Dogwood Little League’s main field was set. Sunny skies, temperatures in the 60s, little or no wind, big crowd gathered to see Rookie take on Nora for all the marbles – bragging rights in the neighborhood for who was the fastest dog in Dogwood. The two Weims faced each other at home plate before turning 90 degrees – Rookie to run towards first, Nora to run towards third. One lap around the bases. The energy was palpable.

The two dogs got ready, they got set, and the umpire yelled “Go!!!” and they were off like greased lightning. Rookie surged down the first base line, touched first and rocketed towards second. Nora, nearly matching Rookie, busted down to third, grabbed the corner of the bag, then jetted straight for second. It was way too close to call. Both Weims were really motoring. At 2nd base, Rookie winked at Nora as they touched the bag at virtually the same exact second.

Rookie turned on the jet engines as he approached third base, hitting the bag and turning towards home. Nora, not the competitor Rookie was, felt really strong and confident, and seemed to find another gear as she hit first base and heading for what might be the closest race in the history of dog races in Dogwood. Nora gave it her all and with one last energetic push, dove into home plate, just about a paw faster than her brother, Rookie. Nora was the winner.

As the umpire began to walk the trophy out to home plate, Rookie asked him if he could present it to his sister, Nora. Nora was crowned the Fastest Dog in Dogwood and Rookie was her biggest fan. The crowd, behind both dogs, cheered loudly for the runner-up, Rookie and the champion, Nora. Nora and Rookie hoisted up the trophy together as a family. And Rookie playfully barked to his sister, Nora, “how about a rematch next Saturday?”