Billy awoke at the crack of dawn, not because the sun was in his eyes but because the old red rooster was sitting on the fence post right outside his open window. And like all good roosters he was doing his job as well as any other. Reaching down, as he did every morning, Billy picked up a baseball-sized rock from the pile under his bed. With a side arm throw he rocketed the stone toward the troublesome fowl. And just as he did every morning the ole rooster jumped straight up into the air just as the rock was about to strike it’s intended target. He landed back on the post, ruffled up his feathers, stood high on his legs and let out an extra loud "Cock-A-Doodle-Do!"

Billy shrugged his shoulders and got out of bed. Today he was going to pitch the regional high school championship. His team was now tied for second place. A win today would make them champs and they would play in the nationals. The regular pitcher had pulled a ligament during the fourth inning of the last game. Billy was called in to pitch. He was a second string backup pitcher, reserved for when the team was well ahead of their opponent and the coach wanted to save his starter’s arm. As Billy approached the mound a silent prayer went to God, that he would do a good job. Well, not only did he do a good job, he pitched a no-hitter the rest of the game. "Billy!" said the coach. "You’re my starting pitcher in tomorrow's playoff for the championship. Take good care of that arm, you did a great job son."

Bill felt like the king of the world. His head was in the clouds. But in retrospect he was so scared he could hardly stand it. He was so wrapped up, he didn’t even see his girl friend, Susan as she ran up calling his name. "Billy! Hey Billy!" she yelled excitly. Billy stopped and turned around to see Susan running up to him. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him with all her strength. I’m so proud of you!" she exclaimed as she planted a big kiss on his cheek. "Thanks" he said, "But I didn’t do anything so great, God did it all." "Are you kidding?" she said. "You threw a no hitter, no one else has been able to do that on our team." " I guess so", replied Billy with as much humbleness as his bursting ego would allow. "Here’s your mom, I’ll see you later." As he pecked her lightly on the cheek and ambled off in the direction of home.

"Billy, is that you?" called his mom from the kitchen. "Yes ma’am" he replied as he entered the kitchen where his mom was mixing up a pitcher of lemonade. She motioned him towards her and whispered," Honey, there’s a man in the parlor waiting to see you, I think he may be a college scout." "Aw mom!" exclaimed Billy. "Why would any college be interested in a small town nobody like me?" In spite of what he had just told his mother, all the sudden his heart started to beat faster and faster.

"Hi, I’m Billy" he said as he entered the room. The man was looking at all the trophies in the den. Billy’s dad, big brother and sister. Even his mother had one or more trophies displayed here in this mini hall of fame. Without turning the man said, "I don’t see any here with your name on them?" "Nope" replied Billy, "not one." The man looked around with a questioning glance. "I’m just a second stringer backup" said Billy. "We don’t get many chances to make the headlines or win awards.." "Well", said the man, "You certainly changed that today didn’t you?" he said as he unfolded the evening edition of the newspaper. "How’d he get that", thought Billy. "The paper isn’t due on the newsstand for another two hours yet." But Billy could not believe his eyes, there in full color was a picture of Billy in the final stages of a pitch delivery. The caption read,"Billy’s come of age" "Can I have this?" asked Billy "Sure " said the man tossing it over. "By the way my name is Sam Travis. I’m a scout for a large college on the coast. I’m not at liberty to mention its name right now but I can tell you this, it’s big and well known." Billy looked questionably. "Why me?" he asked. "I’m only junior in a second rate school in a small no where town! " "Not anymore my son!" exclaimed the man. "If you win the game tomorrow I can assure you every college scout within 3,000 miles will know your name and come knocking at your door. " "So, how come you’re here first?" asked Billy. "I’m a foreseer of great things to come. I didn’t get where I’m at in life by waiting for fate. I determine what is the right time and I go for it. That’s something that you might think about doing Billy". Billy wasn’t listening as well as he should, he was still amazed that a college scout would come and see him; a nobody. This privilege was usually reserved for seniors on the first string.

The man’s expression suddenly changed and Billy felt the heat rise in the room even though he knew his mom had not turned on the heat yet this season. "Billy", started the man, " I’m going to tell you something, something which will change your life any way you choose, whether or not you accept my offer or not." Billy was now paying complete attention as the man continued. "I’m offering you a complete four year scholarship, now when I say complete I mean tuition, books, housing, meals, spending money and even a car, all at no expense to you." "Where do I sign?" said Billy. "Not so fast my boy!" said a voice from behind him. " Remember, nothing in life is free" Again with the voice. Turning around there was just an empty space. "Uh, what I mean is what’s the catch?" he asked. "Very smart lad!" said the scout. "Explore all the options, I like that." "Well?" asked Billy. "You’re right" he began. "There is one small thing that I would need you to do for me personally." "Tomorrow is the championship game" he continued. "This one is for all the marbles. Valley is your opponent and they also have a super pitcher, the only problem with him is his batting. He’s not quite as good as he should be. In fact unless he gets some good hits in tomorrow nights game…" Billy laughed to himself a little too loudly. "I guess you want me to take it easy on him huh?" he asked. Billy was flabbergasted at the man’s reply. "Exactly!" he said. "I want you to make sure he gets a good hit. A homerun would put him over the top for sure." "What!" exclaimed Billy. "You want me to throw the game?" "No, No, No!" replied the man. I don’t care about the game, I just want this kid to get a hit." Billy could not believe his ears. "But!" he exclaimed. "It would be so obvious if I strike out everyone else and let him hit. What would that make me look like? " The man responded very smugly, "What would you look like riding in that convertible with your girl friend.?" "I’ll have to think about that one" responded Billy. "Fine " said the scout. "I’ll see you at the game tomorrow night, I know you’ll do the right thing. " Billy closed the front door, turning he saw something in the mirror that shocked him beyond his natural mind. There behind him, stood in only what could be called "heavenly radiance" and image, Billy knew it was an angel. "Billy" said the image. "What are you going to do about the game tomorrow?" "I’m not sure" he replied, "maybe I’ll get sick and not show up, that way I wouldn’t look bad." "Wouldn’t that be letting your team down? ! Said the image. "and myself too, I guess" said Billy. Billy looked up and the image was gone. "Billy", who are you talking to honey?" "Nobody mom" answered Billy, "I was just thinking out loud.""Well dinner will be ready soon," said his mother. "OK" said Billy.

Everyone one stood as the band played the national anthem. Then as the players made their way on to the field from the dugout they were introduced one by one. Finally the announcer said "And folks our starting pitcher is William Simpson" The crowd came to their feet and gave Billy a standing ovation as he made his way to the mound. Billy turned and raised his hat in acknowledgement. It was like time stopped, the only person he saw was the college scout. His voice was the only one he heard. "Remember Billy, we have a deal, right?" Billy looked down and picked up the rosen bag as the rest of the team did some warm up tosses around the field.

"Play Ball!" came the call from the umpire. Billy took a couple more warm up pitches and then gave the ump the nod that he was ready. "Batter up!" said the ump. Again Billy said his prayer. "Dear God, please help me to have a good game. Let our team be as one. Let us do your will and not be ashamed of our actions. Amen"

"Strike one!" Billy felt pretty good. He knew now what he must do. "Strike two! " called the ump. "Strike three, you’re out!" The crowd went wild, his teammates were jumping up and down. "Next batter!" called the umpire. The next batter came to the plate, and the crowd grew silent as they saw it was the opposing pitcher from Valley. Billy glanced at the stands, and again time stood still. The only face he saw in the blur of humanity was that of the scout. But there was something different about it this time. His complexion was not an earthly one and certaintly not a heavenly one either.

Sweat rolled off Billy’s brow, but he knew he definitely felt a chill in the ballpark. "Billy! Billy! Billy!" cheered the crowd. Billy bowed his head, paused and took his stance. Silence was throughout the stands. He swung into his delivery. Now Billy’s average pitching speed was 79 miles per hour. His first was clocked at 92 mph. "Strike One!, Strike Two!, Strike Three!" came the call. "You’re out!" The crowd again leapt to their feet, all that is, except one. Billy looked in his direction. There he sat holding up a college contract. He ripped it in two and then four and finally in eight pieces.

Billy smiled very broadly, pointed to heaven, took off his cap and bowed his head. When he looked again the scout was gone. Was it his imagination or was that a wisp of black smoke above his seat. Well folks, Billy’s team went on to win the Regional High School Championship, then state and even national. All based on the fact that a young second stringer would not compromise his beliefs and ethics for earthly treasure.