The Missing Mitt by Franklin W. Dixon

Stolen!
    Frank and Joe ran over to where Jason was standing. Seconds later, the rest of the team and Coach Quinn were there.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Jason?”
    Jason didn’t answer Coach Quinn. He was red in the face. He kicked at the pile of gear.
    â€œTell us what happened, Jason,” said Coach Quinn.
    â€œMy mitt!” said Jason finally. “Someone stole my lucky mitt. I can’t play without it!”
    The Jupiters heard the commotion and came over. Now both teams were there, surrounding Jason.
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    CATCH THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES!
    Trouble at the Arcade
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THE HARDY BOYS ®
    SECRET FILES #2
    The Missing Mitt

    BY FRANKLIN W. DIXON
ILLUSTRATED BY SCOTT BURROUGHS

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    If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
    This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

    An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
First Aladdin paperback edition April 2010
Text copyright © 2010 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Illustrations copyright © 2010 by Scott Burroughs
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Designed by Lisa Vega
The text of this book was set in Garamond.
Manufactured in the United States of America / 0310 OFF
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Control Number 2009932649
ISBN 978-1-4169-9394-0
ISBN 978-1-4169-9924-9 (eBook)
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CONTENTS
    1 the big game
    2 Racing the Clock
    3 Practice Makes Problems
    4 The Missing Mitt
    5 The Six Ws
    6 A Surprise Witness!
    7 Strike Three, You’re Out!
    8 Triple Play
    9 Deep in the Outfield
    10 Secret File #2: A Home Run!
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    The Missing Mitt

1
The Big Game
    The bases are loaded! Two outs, the bottom of the ninth. The Bayport Bandits really need this one to win.” The announcer’s voice was loud.
    â€œJoe Hardy is stepping up to the plate, lucky bat in hand. His brother, Frank, is on third base, itching for home.”
    This was the most exciting World Series final anyone had ever seen. The crowd went wild. They were cheering and chanting, “Hardy! Hardy!Hardy!” Eight-year-old Joe took a few practice swings. There had to be ten thousand people in the stands. Or more! He’d always dreamed of playing in the World Series. And now the Bayport Bandits had finally made it.
    â€œIf Joe can hit a home run, the Bandits will win this game. Otherwise, the Johnston Jupiters will be taking home the Commissioner’s Trophy again.”
    The Johnston Jupiters were the Bandits’ biggest rivals.
    The crowd grew quiet as Joe got ready. He looked at his brother, crouched on third base. He gave Frank a thumbs-up. Frank was counting on him. The whole team was counting on him. Joe needed to hit this one out of the park.
    The pitcher threw a curveball first. Joe let it fly by. It wasn’t the right one. He’d never hit a home run off