Unfortunately,
when the dust had cleared, the result of the play was a line into a double
play. With two outs and Sam on third, chances of advancing to the final game of
the world series was slim, and we all knew it. Things did start to look up
though when the pitcher walked the next two batters. The bases were loaded and
it was my turn to bat! There were two outs, and my mouth went dry when it
dawned on me that the turnout of the game was fully on my shoulders! Suddenly,
right when I was ready to bat, coach called for a time out and trotted out onto the field. He leaned over my
shoulder and whispered,” Son, I now you might not like this, but I am going to
have your pitch run for Sam, and Zack hit in your place. Relief washed over me
as I made my way over to third. I took a deep breath and a lead off third as
the pitcher went into his wind up. I could already see the play coming. His
wobbly form and Jelly arm said it all. As if by instinct I sprinted towards
home seeing the wild pitch coming. The catcher seeing it to desperately lunged
out of his way to try and snag the pitch. In a diving effort, the catcher
snagged the ball, and seeing me coming dove for home. Seeing his outstretched
glove waiting to touch me I twisted out of his reach and slid for home. As the
ploom of smoke rose, the game hinged on the umpire’s call. The stadium went
silent, and everyone sat on the edge of their seat. The umpire leaned over the
scene at the tangled mess of me and the catcher. With a frown on his face he
barked,” YER OUT!” The stadium erupted in groans. I laid on the ground wanting
for the earth to swallow me up. It was my fault that we lost!
(One season later)
Again, it was the LLWS.
The whole team except for me had gotten over the loss from our last World
Series experience. This time we had made it to the final game of the World
Series against the Titans, the same team we had lost to because of my poor
steal one season earlier. Once again it was the bottom of the ninth, but his
time we were down by five runs. Our defense had done a good job cleaning up the
batters in the top of the ninth striking them out one by one. But this time
things were looking down for us. Our offense had gotten in only one hit all
game and the score was 0-5. But, it was the bottom of the ninth and that was a
magical innings. You hear stories of games where teams have been down by
unmeasurable odds but managed a magical rally and won the game. The whole team
was praying that that could happen now. Over the intercom, the announcer called
for the first batter. “Up next to bat for the Pelicans, Sam Johansson!” Last
game in the World Series, (if you remember) Sam had hit a double to left
center. We hoped that he could do the same or better this time around. Sam
jogged to the plate and stepped into the batter’s box. His glare of
anticipation drilled into the pitcher who was having a great game with 13
strike outs. With a smug grin on his face he wound up and let loose a strong
curve ball. As if by reflex Sam unwound his arms and hit a line drive right on
the right field line! Sam sprinted around the bases as the right fielder did
his best to grab hold of the ball and get it back into play. But before he
could get it to short stop, Sam had already made his way to third base with
ease. A triple. Obviously unfazed the pitcher got back into a groove and struck
out the next two batters. We couldn’t watch anymore. We were going to lose this
game. With two outs and a man on Third there was no way to win, because we were
losing 0-5. Fortunately, the success got to the pitcher’s head and he walked
the next two batters. The next batter who came up to bat was Jeremy Ross. Ross
stared down the pitcher and rung out the bat waiting for the pitch. The pitcher
let one loose and Jeremy rocketed it into deep center! One run scored, two runs
scored! Two runs scored on Ross’ double! There was still hope! Now with someone
on second and third, the score was 2-5! Things were looking up just a little
bit for the Pelicans. Obviously struggling the pitcher walked the next batter,
loading the bases for the second time this inning.
Over the intercom, the announcer announced the next
batter. “Batting next for the Pelican’s, Brain Zinger!” At that name, I turned
to Jelly. My mouth went dry and flashbacks of my last humiliating batting
experience came to mind. Again, the turnout of the game was up to me. Limp, I
nervously made my way to the batter’s box. When the pitcher saw me he let out a
chuckle and a grin. I couldn’t do this. The first two pitches whizzed past me
and smacked into the catcher’s glove. It was 0-2, with the bases loaded and two
outs. In my mind, I saw me sliding home and missing the plate. At that moment,
everything went in slow motion. All I could here was the eerie thumping of my
heart banging out of my chest. In slow motion, the pitcher went into his wind
up and unwound his arm to let by a sizzling fast ball. Slowly the ball made it
way toward the plate. I uncoiled from by batting stance and swung with all my
might. POW!!! The ball exploded of my bat and all the fielders went for the
fence trying desperately to make a spectacular catch. But that ball was gone!
Shock smeared the pitchers face as he threw down his glove and glared as I rounded
the bases! I had done it, a grand slam! We won the world series! As I rounded
second base, relief flooding me, I could see my team mob the plate waiting for
me to make it home! As I trotted home, the team mobbed me and lifted me up on
their shoulders chanting, “BRI-AN, BRI-AN, BRI-AN” The fans in the bleachers
went mad and cheered louder than I have ever head fans cheer! I did it I told
myself, I am the baseball hero!
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