In our last episode, Alan reluctantly agreed to go to the baseball field with Uncle Gerald. When they got there, things were looking up when the boys at the field agreed they could use a good pitcher, and Uncle Gerald assured them Alan was just the one they needed. However, when Jimmy Fishburn arrived and threatened to take his baseball equipment if Alan was allowed to play, the other boys followed behind Jimmy leaving Alan and Uncle Gerald to return home.

Last week, Alan woke up to his uncle's voice urging him to start his day. Uncle Gerald was excited to go to the baseball field so he could see his nephew play. Alan didn’t want to tell him he was afraid to return to the field, and how he feared running into Jimmy Fishburn.

Listening to Uncle Gerald, made Alan realize how much his uncle reminded him of his dad. Uncle Gerald wanted to see Alan play and wasn’t taking no for an answer. Alan knew he had to face his fear and accompany his uncle to the baseball field no matter what or who he’d find waiting there.

In our last episode, Alan was surprised to learn that his Uncle Gerald and Aunt Tammy were going to be their houseguests for the remainder of the summer. Alan felt uncomfortable because Uncle Gerald was his father’s identical twin brother, and his presence reminded him of the accident that took his father’s life.

Uncle Gerald reveals his own love for baseball and is determined to see Alan get a chance to play on a team.

Last week, Alan decided to take his mom’s advice and go over to the ball field. To his surprise, the boys had lost another baseball and were desperately trying to find it. After praying for God’s help, Alan located the prized baseball and for a moment was a hero. His popularity was short because when Jimmy Fishburn showed up and took the ball away from him, Alan found himself standing alone with no invitation to join the game.

In Chapter 3, Alan’s mom refused to call his Aunt Gwen, so he finally had to accept that his cousin Hannah was not coming back to visit. Trying to take Alan’s mind off wondering why they hadn’t heard from Miss Ginny, his mom suggested he go over to the baseball field and introduce himself. She even said she would walk him over, but Alan protested and decided to go on his own while wondering if this would be the day he would get to play baseball.

Last week we learned that Alan was concerned about his weight. And while his mom encouraged him to try and make friends, Alan’s fear of a bully named Jimmy Fishburn was an important reason why he chose to stay in his yard and watch the game from his fence. Jimmy tormented him every chance he got.

Once Alan realized he would have no one to talk to, he regretted not playing Hide and Seek with his younger cousin Hannah. But Alan became hopeful when a guest named Miss Ginny stopped by his home and shared that she had a grandson about the same age and that he too loved baseball. Alan was anxious to meet him knowing there was a chance to make a new baseball loving friend.

Alan Treadwell's cousin Hannah has been coming over every afternoon since the start of Summer. Unfortunately, she only wants to play Hide and Seek and Alan has had enough. His only interest is the baseball game going on across the street. Tired of being ignored, Hannah promises she is never coming back. On the one hand, Alan is glad she is gone, while on the other hand he realizes he now has no one to talk to. Attempting to change Hannah's mind, he finds out he is too late. Looking at the fence surrounding his backyard he understands it is the fence keeping him safe from Jimmy Fishburn, but it is his fear of Jimmy that keeps him away from baseball that he loves.

Alan Treadwell is overweight. More than anything he wants to play baseball with the neighborhood kids who meet at the field across the street. Unfortunately, there's someone standing in his way- a bully named Jimmy Fishburn. Will Alan ever get the courage to stand up to Jimmy, or will he spend the whole summer hiding behind the tall wooden fence where he feels safe?