Two baseball players stood in the Metro City Stadium parking lot.
"Big game tomorrow, Dale," one player said. "It'll be our first game without Hitz."
"Good," Dale said. "He's a bad sport. He kept inventing equipment to help him cheat."
Manny nodded. "I remember when he had that weird baseball. He could make it explode."
Dale shook his head. "I'm glad Coach Biggs kicked him off the team. See you tomorrow, Manny!"
Just then a dark shadow covered the parking lot. The players looked up.
Dale gulped. "What is that?"
***
"Another run!" Terrell said. "This is awful."
Roxy and her friends were at Metro City Stadium. The Metro City Miners were playing the Lumbertown Loggers. The Miners' pitcher threw the baseball. The batter swung.
Crack!
The ball landed in the stands.
"Home run for the Loggers!" the announcer said.
Roxy groaned. "The Miners' pitcher is terrible. The Loggers have three runs already."
"I can't believe Dale Rivers isn't here," Jack said. "He's our star pitcher!"
The pitcher threw again. The batter swung and then ran to first base. Two more batters got onto bases.
"Bases loaded!" the announcer said.
The next batter sent the ball far into the stands.
"That's a grand slam for the Loggers!" the announcer said.
"No!" Mara cried. "The Loggers are winning, seven to nothing!"
Jack sighed. "We'll never catch up. Manny Gomez isn't here. He's the Miners' best home run hitter."
Another Loggers player was soon on second base.
"I wish Rocket Girl could help," Jack said. "If she played for the Miners, she'd get a million home runs!"
Terrell covered his face and moaned. "This is a really bad game."
Mara's stomach grumbled. "I'm hungry." She looked over her shoulder. A snack bar was at the top of the steps. "But I don't want to miss any of the game."
Terrell looked up. "You can't get up while the Miners are pitching! It's bad luck!"
"I know!" Mara said.
Roxy grinned. "It's too bad Rocket Girl can't get a snack for you."
"Ha-ha." Mara pretended to laugh.
Roxy's watch beeped. "Mayor Bloom," she whispered. "Is everything okay?"
The mayor looked worried. "Rocket Girl, I need you to go to Police Headquarters. Two Miners players disappeared. No one can find them."
"Oh no," Roxy whispered. "You mean Dale Rivers and Manny Gomez, right?"
Mayor Bloom nodded.
"Don't worry, Mayor," Roxy said. "I'll find them."
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