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The Sports Book For ages 5-12. Hard Cover 6 3/4 by 8 1/4, 36 pages - $15.95 postpaid
Make your child the star of this personalized
sports story which promotes fair play and sportsmanship. Your child will
experience the emotional ups and downs of sports play in this action packed
story. |
Sample Pages
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The Sports Book |
Personalized parts are highlighted in yellow. Coach Dribbleworth told them 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 basketball 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, Bill felt good. The aroma of the food coming from the restaurant smelled fantastic. Bill had already decided on a medium cheese pizza and a large drink. |
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Read entire text of story: Return to order form. Personalized parts are in RED.
#519 The Sports Book
was created especially for
William Jones
at the age of 5
With Love From,
Mom & Dad
December 25, 2007
William
Jones rolled
over in bed, saw dawn was already breaking and knew he
would not be able to go back to sleep. He had
tossed and turned most of the night because he
was so excited. This restlessness, however, was also partly due to an aching
calf muscle.
As
Bill started to get up,
he once again felt the tightening in his
leg. He rubbed his
muscle and the tension eased.
Now,
fully awake, Bill was very aware of the
half-queasy, half-exhilarated feeling that came before every important
Football game. But today was not like every
other sports day. Today, Bill Jones was
competing in the last and most important Football
game of the season. The championship was at stake!
While
Bill was eating breakfast, dozens of thoughts
filled his mind. He
imagined his friends and family at the
Football game standing and cheering for him.
He could almost hear the announcer saying, “Bill
Jones of Chicago, Illinois is simply
spectacular today.”
Then
his thoughts turned back to reality.
Bill drank his
orange juice and rubbed his leg.
He knew it was time to leave when
he saw Mike, Joe,
and Randy
outside the kitchen window.
The ride
seemed unusually long this morning. When they finally reached their
destination, Bill could see several people were
already warming up. He rushed to join
his teammates.
The
announcement was made that it was time to begin. The
Football game got off to a good start. Bill
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
Bill. His early morning vision was coming true!
Then it
happened! Suddenly the dull ache in his leg
muscle became a terrible cramp. Bill tried to
go on. Again the muscle knotted and the pain was fierce. There was no doubt
about it, he could no longer compete.
The
Football game ended. The championship was won
by the opposing team.
As the
group gathered around the van, Bill began to
think of everything that had happened before the
Football game. He remembered
his leg aching during the night and how restless
he had been. The excitement of the championship
had pushed the pain out of his mind until the
fierce cramp had become unbearable.
Bill
also thought about his dream of being the hero
of the day. This morning’s dream of stardom seemed foolish.
He felt discouraged.
Bill
and the other began to pile into the van when they saw the coach approaching.
One by one they took their seats.
Bill
wondered what would be said and how Coach Dribbleworth
would react. He wished
he could disappear.
Coach Dribbleworth
stopped to talk to some of the parents. Inside the van, there was total
silence. No one spoke. Bill knew that everyone
was upset. He was feeling very uneasy.
The
coach got into the van. Bill continued staring
at the floor. Coach Dribbleworth 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.
Bill, how’s your leg?”
Bill
looked up. The coach was wonderful!! This Football
game had meant everything to the team, yet Coach
Dribbleworth was more concerned with how Bill
felt.
Coach Dribbleworth
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
Football 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, Bill
felt good. The aroma of the food coming from the restaurant smelled fantastic.
Bill 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, “Bill Jones,
every time we compete, you get better and better. One of these days you might
even get a professional offer.” They all patted Bill
on the back. No one could lose with friends like these.
Coach Dribbleworth
put an arm around Bill and hugged him. “Stack
them up, team,” said the coach. The teammates piled one hand on top of the
other. Bill felt so good that
he forgot the dull ache in
his leg.
Bill
joined Mike, Joe,
and Randy and his
other friends who were sitting in a booth at the back of the restaurant.
Bill was glad to see them.
He had just begun to tell them about
Coach Dribbleworth when
he 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 Chicago, Illinois.
Bill
felt his heart pounding rapidly.
He struggled to catch
his breath. Kia had seen Bill and was
coming straight toward him. 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. Bill could feel
everyone looking at him.
“Well,
Bill, how does it feel losing the biggest
Football game of the year single-handedly?”
Kia’s voice boomed.
Everyone
stopped eating. The entire restaurant was silent.
Mike, Joe,
and Randy
looked up.
Bill was fighting to keep control of
his emotions. All his
earlier feelings of disappointment came flooding back. What could
he say?
Only a
few minutes passed, but to Bill it seemed like
forever. He tried to speak, but no words would
come.
Coach Dribbleworth
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 Bill who
stick up for you and Bill 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.
Mike, Joe, and
Randy recalled times when they needed it.
Bill 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 Bill
Jones for friendship and support. Everyone was really glad
Bill 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 Dribbleworth which they had all
chipped in to buy. Bill 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 Dribbleworth had
explained to the group the qualifications for this trophy. According to
Coach Dribbleworth, 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 Dribbleworth
stood to begin the presentations, and the team quickly took their seats.
Bill sat next to Mike, Joe,
and Randy. In spite of the fact they were excited, a hush came
over the room.
“We have
had a great season,” said Coach Dribbleworth.
“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 Dribbleworth 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.
Bill Jones, 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. Bill
beamed with pride as the team gathered around him.
Groups of friends excitedly talked about the fantastic team they would have next
year. Bill Jones was eagerly looking forward to
another season.
for
Bill Jones
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