1Tonight was the final evening of tryouts for the Hornets high school baseball team. Practice was finished, and the boys rested
on the metal dugout bench listening to Coach Ippolito. He thanked everyone for coming out, playing hard, and making this year's tryouts the most challenging yet for the coaching staff, one filled with difficult decisions. "So many enthusiastic players," Coach Ippolito explained, "an overabundance of athletic talent." 2David Carwile surreptitiously glanced at the other candidates out of the corner of his eye, wondering which ones would make the team. Tryouts were simple: Some players would make the team, while others would be cut. David hoped that he would be one of the fortunate ones. As Coach Ippolito talked, David mentally evaluated his performance: In all three facets of the game—hitting, fielding, and pitching—he thought he had done well. "An impressive performance, if I do say so myself," David thought to himself. He fielded flawlessly, hit the ball exceptionally hard, and loudly popped the catcher’s mitt with his fastball. 3"My assistant coaches and I have a system," Coach Ippolito explained, "which we have utilized for every tryout since I’ve been the head coach.” He reached inside his battered satchel and produced a stack of envelopes. "Each of you will receive an envelope, which you can open immediately or wait until you are at home. Inside you’ll find one of two messages: either a short note of congratulations for making the team or a brief acknowledgement of your effort and an apology from the coaching staff for not having enough spaces on the team to accommodate everyone." 4After receiving his envelope, opening it, and stuffing it into his equipment bag, David rustled up his things, grabbed his bat, and walked with his friend Jonathan to the parking lot. Ahead David could see his father waiting patiently for him as he heard the rip of Jonathan's envelope and then the rustling of paper as he pulled out the letter. "Shoot!" Jonathan exclaimed, with disappointment in his voic
