Bill used to be a sailor and oil field engineer. His hands were rough and had ugly _________ left by pulling on ropes as a sailor off the coast of Maine. Bill enjoyed watching baseball games and he found more time for it after he retired.

In Bill’s eyes, baseball was a game _________ details, mental sharpness, and patience, and instructing young men needed the same abilities. There were boys in the neighborhood who played on the high school baseball team and he was their _________ visitor. Whether on summer evenings under the lights or in the mid-afternoon sun. Bill was always the one to _________ on time. In the beginning, he simply sat and _________ them. After a good play, Bill would give a thumbs-up sign. A(n) _________ would earn a smile that meant, “You’ll get another chance!” He communicated with the boys in such silent language.

Gradually, the boys got used to Bill’s _________ and became acquainted (相识的) with him. They were curious about his scarred (有疤痕的) hands and began to _________ his past. He talked about his _________ of floating on the sea and in search of new oil fields. They were long and __________ stories, all about friendship, helping each other, and remaining hopeful despite hardship, and also about how a boy __________ a man. If need be, Bill would take time to demonstrate some basic skills to some slow learners. Over and over again, Bill took the trouble to __________ each detail until the players were skillful.

Time flew. What Bill taught was deeply rooted in the boys, hearts and they could play wonderfully in the races. Bill thought he was too old and had nothing to teach them. It was time for him to __________. However, the boys saw it __________. They told Bill that he and his fighting spirit had long been part of their team. Nearly everyone on the team learned to expect a little more from themselves __________ Bill was there.