The Cubs pitcher straightened up, ready to deliver the
pitch. My two brothers and I were intently focused as the entire crowd fell
silent. It was Jason Heyward’s first major league at-bat, and we were all about
to watch history. The pitch zipped towards the plate, and Heyward swung for the
first time in his MLB career. I’ll never forget the “crack!” as the bat made
contact with the ball. Everyone in the stadium stood up simultaneously and let
out an immense roar as the ball sailed over the right field wall. I don’t think
there was a person within ten yards of me I didn’t high-five. My brothers and I
rode the high from that at-bat for the rest of the game.
Showing posts with label Home Run. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home Run. Show all posts
Friday, December 2, 2016
Inner Thought
Alright, Hey. Just breathe. Take your time. He has to throw
fast ball. He will. Coach says swing away. Just stay in rhythm. Breath. You
watched two go by. You have his timing down. Here it comes. Grip tight. Arms
loose. Let it rip. Connection. Felt good. Keep going, ball. Get out. Get out!
Radio Broadcast
Zambrano
winds up, ready to deliver the 1-1. Heyward, in his first major league at bat,
has yet to swing at a pitch. Here’s the pitch. Heyward steps in and swings.
Connection! Towards the right field wall! That ball is back! That ball is deep!
Gone! A homerun! Jason Heyward hits a solo shot for his first ever at-bat for
the Braves! He’s batting a thousand on the season! Welcome to the Bigs, kid.
Can you believe it?
Reflection
Kids, did I ever tell
you about the time I watched Heyward hit his first home run? Well, I’m gonna
tell you again, so sit tight. I remember like it was yesterday. He stood there
at the plate looking like he had a caveman’s club in his hands. I swear the
ball was comin’ in at 150 miles per hour. He swung, and I felt the wind from
it. I did! All the way up the third base line. Me and your great uncles knew
that thing was gone as soon as it hit the bat. Everybody screamed so loud, the
folks back home could hear us. He ran so fast, he got to home plate before the
thing landed outside the stadium. Yes, he did. They just don’t hit ‘em like
they used to.
Love Story
I feel held back. Like someone gripping me tighter,
shielding me. I need to move forward, and almost as if the thought itself comes
to life, I am unshielded. I am wound backwards, energy building. I finally feel
myself propelled, free. And there she is. Her tan, firm exterior seems as though
she is expecting me. Right as I feel as though I’m moving too quickly, she
comes to meet me. There is an instant connection. Our impact on one another is
so strong, I feel myself about to burst at the seams. But, as quickly as we
meet, we part ways. We watch one another as the distance grows. She looks
smaller and smaller. I’ll never see her again.
Reenactment
Logan grabbed the
whiffle-ball bat and stepped up to the pizza box lying on the ground.
“Heyward steps up to the plate for his first at-bat,” he said
as he squinted his eyes towards the pitcher.
“You don’t think you’re gonna hit this out, do ya?”
Thomas responded, waving the ball at Logan while he awaited the pitch.
“Throw it and I’ll show you,” said Logan with a smirk.
Thomas wound up and let the pitch fly. The whiffle ball
whirled with a seemingly random pattern. Logan closed his eyes and swung with
everything he had. Connection!
“How you like that?” Logan yelled as he made his way to
the first base outdoor patio furniture cushion. “Just like it happened!”
“Yeah. Yeah. Only ‘cause I let you. It won’t happen
again.”
It did happen. Three more times.
Sounds
Leather squeezing; dirt sliding; crowd murmuring; organ
humming; arm whipping; ball zipping; grip tightening; bat swinging; ball
connecting; fans roaring; steps quickening; speakers blaring; fireworks
cracking; teammates fiving; brothers laughing.
Missed It
I knew we shouldn’t have tailgated that hard. I
told myself I wouldn’t “break the seal” until the 7th inning
stretch, but my bladder has decided to scold me early. The new kid is up next,
but I should be able to make it back by the time he strikes out. As I make my
way across the bleachers, my friends attempt to get me to stick around for the
at-bat. I would love to, but these are the only pants I brought. I Usain Bolt
my way into the men’s room. No line. Perfect. I unzip my pants and hear an
immense eruption from the crowd. “Thank you, thank you,” I think as I chuckle
to myself. Wait…please don’t tell me I missed something good. I don’t even
flush or zip up before running back to see everyone high-fiving and cheering. I
look over to the dugout to find the rookie getting hugs from the rest of the
team. I audibly sigh and turn back for another beer.
Fairytale
Once upon a time, there was a man with a golden
club. This was no ordinary club. It could give special powers of strength if it
were to be held by one who deserves the power. Jason of Heyward was the man the
club had chosen, but he had to pass a test before it knew for sure. Jason
stepped up to the white pentagon glowing on the ground.
“Jason
of Heyward, are you willing to test your worth against the Orb of Le’thar?”
asked the golden club. “You must reject its approach, sending it beyond the
horizon.”
Jason
nodded, holding the club above his shoulder. Faster than he could blink, the
Orb of Le’thar hurled itself towards the glowing pentagon. With all his might,
Jason of Heyward swung the golden club towards the orb. A loud “Crack!” rattled
through the entire kingdom as the orb sailed far beyond the horizon, just as
the golden club had instructed.
“I
have passed your test, club. What do you wish of me now?” asked Jason.
“Now,
our journey begins,” answered the golden club.
Recipe
Ingredients: 1
Field
50,000
Fans
1
Pitcher
1
Catcher
3
Outfielders
4
Infielders
1
Batter
1
Baseball
1
Bat
Instructions:
Place
the pitcher, catcher, outfielders, infielders, and batter inside the field.
Next, surround the field by placing the fans evenly distanced apart. Make sure
their hands are raised, touching one another. Place the ball on the pitcher and
bat on the batter. Now, place the field, along with the surrounding fans, into
the oven at 368 degrees.
Bake for one hour or until all fans have risen and the ball is no longer
visible. Remove and allow to cool for 9 minutes. Serve on a white plate and
enjoy!
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