In the Big Inning

Part 1: Walnut Grove Finds Its Pitcher

Baseball fever came to Walnut Grove like a summer storm. Everyone in town talked about the big game against Sleepy Eye.

It was not just another friendly match. It was the game Walnut Grove wanted to win more than anything.

For years, Sleepy Eye had beaten them again and again. Their pitcher, Slick McBurney, was the reason.

He threw the ball so fast that most men could barely see it. When he smiled from the pitcher’s mound, Walnut Grove players already felt defeated.

Charles Ingalls and the other men practiced hard, but deep down, they knew they needed something special.

Then Jebediah Mumfort arrived.

He was a quiet, strong man with a sharp eye and a powerful arm.

One afternoon, Charles saw him throw a stone across a field and hit a small fence post from far away. Charles could hardly believe it.

“Jebediah,” Charles said, “with an arm like that, you ought to be pitching for Walnut Grove.”

Jebediah gave a shy smile. “I haven’t played in years.”

“Maybe not,” Charles said, “but that arm hasn’t forgotten.”

Soon, the whole town heard the news. Walnut Grove finally had a pitcher who might stand a chance against Slick McBurney.

At practice, Jebediah amazed everyone. His throws were fast, clean, and accurate.

The batters swung and missed again and again. Mr. Edwards laughed so hard he nearly dropped his glove.

“Boys,” he said, “we may finally have ourselves a game!”

Hope returned to Walnut Grove. Men spoke proudly at the mill.

Children played baseball in the road. Even Mrs. Oleson began talking as if victory was already certain.

But with excitement came trouble.

Some townspeople began placing bets on the game. A few wagered money.

Others bet eggs, pies, tools, and small goods from the store. At first, they called it harmless fun. But soon, the betting became the loudest talk in town.

When Margaret Mumfort, Jebediah’s wife, heard about it, her heart sank.

Margaret was a faithful woman. She believed gambling was wrong, and she did not want her husband connected to it in any way. That evening, she spoke to him with sadness in her eyes.

“Jebediah, is it true people are betting on this game?”

He looked down. “Yes, some are.”

“And you still mean to play?”

“I only wanted to help the town.”

“I know,” Margaret said softly. “But if people are gambling because of the game, then we should not be part of it.”

Jebediah loved baseball, and he wanted to help Walnut Grove. But he loved his wife and respected her beliefs. The next morning, he told Charles he could not play.

The news crushed the town.

Without Jebediah, Walnut Grove had little hope against Sleepy Eye. Men complained. Children looked disappointed. Mr. Edwards kicked at the dirt and said, “There goes our chance.”

But Caroline Ingalls did not give up so easily.

She understood Margaret’s concern. She also understood how much the game meant to the town. After thinking carefully, she came up with a clever idea.

Instead of gambling for personal gain, the town could turn the wagers into donations.

Every item promised would go toward a church fund and help people in need. No one would win money.

No one would profit. The game would be played for pride, friendship, and good purpose.

Caroline visited Margaret and explained everything.

Margaret listened quietly. At first, she still looked unsure. But Caroline’s words touched her heart.

“If the game brings people together and helps others,” Caroline said, “then maybe something wrong can be turned into something good.”

Margaret thought for a long moment. Then she nodded.

That evening, she spoke to Jebediah.

“If the betting is stopped, and the gifts go to help others, then I will not stand in your way.”

Jebediah smiled for the first time in days.

The next morning, Walnut Grove had its pitcher back.

And the whole town prepared for the biggest baseball game they had ever seen.

Part 2: The Game Against Sleepy Eye

Game day arrived bright and warm.

People came from farms, shops, and nearby roads to watch.

Wagons lined the field. Children sat on fences.

Women brought food baskets. The whole town gathered under the open sky.

Across the field stood the team from Sleepy Eye.

They looked confident, almost too confident. Slick McBurney walked to the mound with a proud grin.

He glanced at Walnut Grove and laughed.

“So this is the team that thinks it can beat us?”

Mr. Edwards crossed his arms. “We don’t think it. We aim to prove it.”

The game began.

Slick McBurney was as good as everyone feared. His first pitches flew like bullets.

Walnut Grove swung and missed. One batter after another walked back to the bench with a helpless look.

Then Jebediah stepped onto the mound.

The field grew quiet.

He took the ball, looked toward home plate, and threw.

The first Sleepy Eye batter swung hard and missed.

The crowd cheered.

Jebediah threw again.

Another miss.

On the third pitch, the batter struck out.

Walnut Grove roared with joy. For the first time, Sleepy Eye looked worried.

The game became a battle.

Slick McBurney struck out Walnut Grove batters, but Jebediah answered with strength of his own.

Inning after inning, neither team gave up easily.

Charles made a fine catch in the outfield. Mr. Edwards hit a hard ground ball and barely reached first base.

Even Nels Oleson surprised everyone by stopping a ball that seemed sure to get past him.

Harriet shouted from the sidelines, acting as if she had known Walnut Grove would win all along.

Margaret watched quietly from the crowd. At first, she looked nervous.

But as she saw the people cheering together, not for gambling but for their town, her face softened.

The donations sat safely nearby, ready to help the church and families in need. Caroline smiled at her from across the field.

By the final inning, the score was tied.

Walnut Grove had one last chance.

Slick McBurney stood on the mound, angry now. He did not like being challenged. He threw harder than ever.

The first Walnut Grove batter struck out.

The second hit a small ball but was thrown out at first.

Then Charles came up to bat.

The crowd held its breath.

Slick threw a fast pitch. Charles missed.

The second pitch came low. Charles let it pass.

The third pitch came straight down the middle.

Charles swung with everything he had.

Crack!

The ball flew over the infield.

Mr. Edwards, already on base, ran as fast as he could. The crowd jumped to its feet.

The Sleepy Eye players chased the ball, but it was too late.

Mr. Edwards crossed home plate.

Walnut Grove had won.

For a moment, no one moved. Then the whole town exploded with cheers.

Children shouted. Men threw their hats into the air. Caroline hugged Laura and Mary.

Even Margaret smiled proudly as Jebediah’s teammates lifted him onto their shoulders.

Slick McBurney walked away without his proud grin.

Walnut Grove had finally beaten Sleepy Eye.

But the victory meant more than a baseball score.

The town had learned something important. Winning felt good, but doing the right thing felt even better.

Because of Caroline’s idea, the game brought joy instead of trouble.

The donations helped people in need. Margaret’s beliefs were respected.

Jebediah played with a clear heart.

And Walnut Grove proved that a small town could win when its people stood together.

That evening, as the sun went down, Charles smiled at Jebediah.

“You gave us one fine game.”

Jebediah shook his head.

“No, Charles. The town did.”

And in Walnut Grove, that victory would be remembered for many years.