63. Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Tyler
" T he stands are getting full," Brian ducks into the dugout, a smile wide across his face.
"That's awesome, hopefully that'll give the scout a good first impression, but we need to be on our game today." I tighten the laces on my glove. I stand and walk onto the field, scanning the crowd on the metal bleachers.
Brian walks back out and stands next to me. "Which one do you think he is?"
I shrug. "I don't know. He may not even be here yet." Just then, I see Sara, Amber, and Lori walk toward the bleachers, scanning them for a seat and feel my jaw tighten.
Brian squeezes my shoulder. "Come on, let's do some stretching."
I follow Brian back into the dugout where we each put a foot on the bench to stretch our legs.
"You were right about that guy Sloane took to prom," Brian says and I know he's trying to keep my mind off the magnitude of today's game. "Dude does look like he could be a model." When I don't say anything, he adds, "It was nice of him to take her after her boyfriend backed out on her."
"It totally was," I switch legs. While Brian got my mind off of stressing about the scout, now I'm thinking about Sloane and her hot rock star prom date.
"I know you were otherwise engaged that night," Brian says, "but you should have seen Amber and Lori's faces when she showed up with him. I need to check my footage to see if I caught it on camera. It was priceless."
This makes me chuckle. "Serves them right. I hope you did catch it. I'd love to see it." I pull my leg off the bench and start stretching my shoulders. "When do you think you'll have all the editing done?"
Brian grins. "Probably a couple of weeks after graduation. It's been too busy lately." He stands and twists from side to side, loosening his torso. "I'll definitely get it done before we head off to Southern."
"You better. That gives you all summer," I joke.
"Alright," Coach K joins us in the dugout with his ever-present clipboard. "I can't believe it's the last game of the season. While we didn't make it to the playoffs, we've had a great season. I've seen so much growth and this is a young team. I know we'll be even stronger next year." Coach looks at where I'm sitting with my fellow seniors, Brian, Andre, and Travis. "We've got some incredible seniors on this team, so I want you all to play for them. Send them off with a W." Coach walks to the middle of the dugout. "I want you to play today's game like any other. Yes, we have a scout here, but don't let that get into your heads. While he might be here to watch a certain player or players, he's going to be watching all of you. Do your best for yourselves and for your teammates. We shine brightest when we shine together. Got it?"
"Yes, Coach!" We shout.
"Okay. I'm done being sappy. Go out there and have fun. It's just a game. Play with the exuberance of a child, and the skill of a varsity baseball player."
***
Brian's arm is on fire today and he is in the zone. He's already struck out five guys and we're in the top of the fifth. As for me, I've had a double and a walk. Plus, I've caught everything that has come my way in the outfield, which hasn't been much due to Brian's pitching. We're winning 3-0 because our guys have been getting hit after hit. No homers yet, but it's like we're all in the zone.
Brian struck out the first batter this inning, and the second grounded out. The third batter for the Raiders has a full count, 3 balls and 2 strikes. Brian winds up and his sixth pitch just misses and the batter makes contact. I hear the ping and follow the ball which is headed my way. It bounces into the outfield just short of me. I catch the ball and see that the batter is trying for a double and throw to second from centerfield. My throw is dead-on and Josh catches it just before the runner slides. Josh tags the runner out and we jog into the dugout.
"Thanks, my man," Brian says as he smacks my butt with his glove.
"I couldn't believe he went for second," I say.
"He got greedy," Josh says. "We've got them on the ropes and they're getting desperate."
"The score is still close," Coach says. "Keep it up! Keep it up!" He looks at Brian. "How are you feeling, Applequist?"
"Good, Coach," Brian says with confidence. "My arm feels great."
"Alright," Coach says. "Keep it warm." He pats Brian's arm and heads back to his spot on the other end of the dugout.
I sit next to Brian since we're at the bottom of the order and I likely won't hit until the next inning. "You're making a great showing," I say as I toss sunflower seeds into my mouth.
Brian grabs the bag of seeds, then does the same. "You, too, man. That scout has to like what he's seeing."
"Yeah, but I want to show him my power, knock one out of the park."
Brian nods. "Then do it." He smiles at me with challenge in his eyes.
I accept the challenge. "Alright, I will." I grin back at him and while I watch Josh walk up to the plate, I do what I've read that Michael Jordan does, visualize myself hitting a home run. I close my eyes and see myself squaring up. I focus on the ball watching it as if it's in slow-motion. I kick my front leg up as it approaches and swing. I feel the hit reverberate through my hands and wrists and see the ball fly high and fast, over the centerfield wall. I see myself rounding the bases and pumping my fist in the air as I round third and head home to cross the plate.
As it turns out, I don't get to bat until the sixth inning and this is my last chance to show my power since it would take a total breakdown of the game for my number to come up again in the order. Robbie popped out and Andre is up to bat. As he stands in the batter's box, I put rosin on my bat, then take some swings to loosen up. I look up in the stands and I see Sloane chatting with Billy. She's back and it makes my heart flutter. She hasn't been to a game in a while and I can't stop the grin that forms on my face.
I turn back to the field and adjust my batting gloves, then focus back on my swing. I go through my visualization exercise again as Andre gets another ball. He's a patient hitter and I love being behind him in the order. I feed off his energy. I'd be surprised if he doesn't go pro. The ding of the ball hitting Andre's bat brings my focus back to the field. Our fans cheer as Andre gets a single. I walk to the batter's box and dig my cleats into the red dirt. "Come on, Tyler!" I hear from the stands.
I adjust my stance so it feels just right and tap my bat on the plate. I bring my bat up to my shoulder and it wiggles as I anticipate the first pitch. I see the ball, just as I did in my exercise, but it drops low so I lay off it. Ball one. As the pitcher watches his catcher's signals, I adjust my stance, tap home plate, then bring my bat up in anticipation of the next pitch. The pitcher winds up and I focus on the ball. I see it clearly and it's heading right down the middle. Just as I start to swing, it curves to the outside, but I'm able to make contact, fouling it off behind me. I turn and watch as the ball arcs high, then lands on the grassy hill beside the bleachers.
The crowd cheers me on as I square up for the next pitch. The pitcher shakes his head twice, then nods once. My bat wiggles by my shoulder. The pitcher winds up and I focus on the ball. It's dead center again, a little lower than last time, right where I like it. I swing and hear the ping, but don't feel a thing in my hands or wrists. I watch as the ball arcs high over the field and drop my bat, running to first. Andre is already on the way to third and is being waved home. As I round first, the centerfielder has run out of room and hits the chain link fence. I watch as my ball sails through the air and out of the park. The crowd goes wild, because let's face it, everyone loves a homer, and I pump my fist as my foot hits second base. I jog to third and look into the stands. Our crowd is on their feet and I spot Billy and Sloane cheering causing my smile to grow wider. When I hit home, Andre gives me five, so does Travis who's up next.
"Nice job, Finlay!" Coach smacks my backside as I enter the dugout.
I can't help my smile. "Thanks, Coach." I head to the end of the dugout and sit next to Brian.
"Well done, my man." Brian gives me five as I sit next to him and take off my batting gloves. Andre has grabbed himself a water and hands one to me, too. "Thanks," I tell him. "And, thanks for the RBI, too."
"Any time, bro. Thanks for bringing me home." He messes my hair up with his hand then sits next to me. "I think we've made a good show for that scout."
"I agree." I down the water, crumple up the paper cup and toss it on the ground. "Wouldn't it be cool if we all made it into the league?"
"Oh, man, that would be amazing," Andre says.
As I gaze out onto the bright green field, I visualize myself playing in the big leagues. The field is so much larger, the stands huge, the crowds massive. There are so many ways to get there and I'm determined to do it. I can't imagine doing anything else.
***
Brian stays in for the top of the seventh and is working on what we hope is his last batter. The count is two balls, one strike, two outs with a runner at first. Brian winds up and delivers a pitch on the outside of the plate. Their batter swings and makes contact. The ball flies toward right field and Andre uses his speed to run to the ball that wasn't hit deep. Andre dives for the ball and makes the catch. We win our last game of the season!
"Woo!" I scream as I run toward Andre. He's on his feet now and gives me a huge hug then starts running toward the pitcher's mound. The rest of us follow Andre and in no time, we're a mass of bodies surrounding Brian. We celebrate for a moment, then head to the dugout where our coaches congratulate us.
"Great game, guys," Coach K says. "Every single one of you did your jobs today. I'm so proud of you. I know our seniors are proud, too." He looks at Brian. "Incredible job, Applequist. A complete game and shutout, you did good."
"Thanks, Coach," Brian says with pride in his eyes.
"I know we didn't make it to the playoffs this year," Coach continues, "but we've had a great season and this team is still young. All of you have improved this year and you've supported each other unlike any other team I've coached. Our seniors are all going to great programs, and we have built a really strong foundation for next year. Enjoy this win and we'll celebrate at our banquet on Saturday."
We start gathering our gear. "Man, you pitched so well today," I tell Brian.
"Thanks. That homer of yours was pretty sweet, too." Brian says with a grin. "I knew you could do it."
We walk out onto the field and make our way to the stands where people are still milling around. Coach is talking to a man with salt and pepper hair, wearing a navy polo shirt. "Think that's the scout?" Brian asks.
I nod. "Probably." My stomach turns with nerves.
"Great game, Finlay!"
I look up into the stands and see Billy grinning at me. Sloane is standing next to him. She holds up a thumb and excitement is written all over her pretty face. I can't contain my smile and wave at them.
"Finlay, Applequist," Coach calls from our left. I look and Andre is with Coach and the man in the navy polo.
Brian and I walk over to Coach. "Tyler, Brian, meet Mister Hazelton. He's a scout for Atlanta."
"Call me Dwight," the man says as he shakes my hand, then Brian's. He looks younger up close. "Nice game today." He looks at Brian. "You've got quite an arm. How's it feeling?"
"Great, sir," Brian says. "Thank you."
Dwight turns to me. "I enjoyed watching you hit, Finlay. You're patient and powerful."
"Thank you, sir. Coach and I worked on my swing this year."
"Whatever you're doing, keep it up," Dwight says.
We talk to Coach and Dwight for a bit before the scout says his goodbyes. I think about what might happen next, with baseball and with the one thing I'd like to do but am not sure I have the confidence to do.