Danny and Uno take the Coaster, the train that runs along the coast between San Diego and Los Angeles, to Leucadia. Uno tells Danny, “I’m bringin’ shit full circle on you, D” (225). It isn’t until the two are on the platform that Danny recognizes he is in Leucadia. He suddenly realizes this isn’t just any hustle. Danny feels immediately comforted by the familiarity but takes notice of how socioeconomically different things are in Leucadia. Danny and Uno make their way to Leucadia Prep, where practice is wrapping up. Kyle Sorenson is there, helping Coach Sullivan. Danny asks Uno how he knew Kyle would be there, but Uno just says he has his sources. Danny is oddly calm: “Maybe it’s taken real life getting so real for him to realize baseball’s just a game” (227). Uno comments, “Sick school, everything’s brand-new, man. Check out that field” (227). Danny tries to see his high school field from Uno’s perspective, “and what he sees is almost embarrassing. It’s too beautiful” (228).

Uno approaches and propositions the team’s catcher. At first, he doesn’t have any idea what Uno means by “challenge,” but the coach does.