Strike one the ump shouted Ben wasn’t fazed He rarely swung at the first pitch He twisted his hands on the bat’s grip and got ready for the next pitch It was a curveball that hung high in the strike zone He swung and connected Crack Ben’s hit sliced between the first and second basemen He ran to first rounding the base as the ball bounced into right field Take two the first base coach yelled Ben dug in tearing toward second as the outfielder threw the ball in Most players would have easily gotten a stand-up double but Ben barely reached base before the throw 6
Phew That was close he thought He needed more speed from his Fusions The dugout went wild His friends whistled loudly The first base coach was Gabe’s dad Coach Santiago He clapped and shouted Nice one Ben Two outs Run as soon as the ball is hit Ben nodded The team’s first baseman a lanky kid named Tyler Murphy stepped up to the plate Ty was so tall and thin he looked like a daddy longlegs spider when he ran All he needed to do was get a base hit and Ben was sure to score the tying run Ty fouled off the first pitch sending the ball up over the backstop and into the stands where their parents sat watching the 7
game Many wore the Grizzlies team colors brown and red The pitcher tried to get Ty to swing at two changeups out of the zone Ty wouldn’t bite The count was now two balls and one strike Next the Lizards pitcher threw a fastball down the pipe and Ty jumped on it Crack The ball sailed over the pitcher’s head and right over Ben’s too As it bounced into the center field grass Ben ran hard toward third The Grizzlies third base coach Coach Johnson waved him around and excitedly shouted Go Go Go Ben lowered his head rounded third and broke for home 8
He was going to score Suddenly the spikes on his left cleat stuck in the dirt and his new shoe split open at the heel It was as if Ben had a flat tire He stumbled forward and nearly fell Out of the corner of his eye Ben saw the Lizards second baseman catch the relay from the outfield and throw the ball home He hobbled toward the plate It was going to be close Ben dove sliding headfirst into home as the Lizards catcher received the throw He swiped his massive mitt across Ben’s hands before they reached the plate You’re out the umpire roared Disappointed sighs rose from the crowd Ben lay on the ground not wanting to get up 9
