Play Ball

Its 8:15pm on a cool spring night is Mesa, Arizona. Softball season has just started; as I sit in my camping chair I can hear the hum from the electricity box powering the mega watts lights that shine brightly on the softball field below coupled with a slight breeze coming from the northwest. After four hard fought innings of girls’ fast-pitch softball the two teams tied going into the final inning. The Broncos had been required to hit the ball and run aggressively on the base paths to accumulate their 8 runs, while the Crushers had one lonely hit but numerous batters had either been hit by the pitch or taken a base on balls. The Crushers had tear stained cheeks and bruised thighs & left arms to prove the pain it took to earn their 8 runs.

The Broncos were the home team so they were the last team to bat and that final inning has gone like all the others. The Crushers had been walked or hit by the pitcher multiple times and now stood with a commanding three run lead. First up for the Broncos was their mighty third basemen – she took two quick strikes that were too inside the plate for her liking. As the pressure mounted for the youngest person on her team, the pitcher released the next pitch right down the middle of the plate. This time the pitch was promptly met with a powerful swing from the aluminum bat that made a sharp ping which permeated throughout the stadium. The ball was sent high in the air with the centerfielder making a feeble attempt to track down the perfectly hit ball. The crowd roaring as if Taylor Swift had just taking the stage; but then our eyes glanced over to second base to view this modern day Babe Ruth trot into second base – but wait she is not there – our eyes moved over to first base to oh but catch a glimpse of the clutch hitter – that is where we saw her stroll to first base. As she turned around to face the bleachers we could all see the jokeresque smile that has been temporally plastered across her face. It was later reviled that she had taken an extra moment at home plate to enjoy the view of the sharply hit ball to centerfield. In her words, she knew that she couldn’t have made it to second base – so she was in no rush to make it to first.

Now on first base it was time for her to go to work. She quickly stole second base with a passed ball by the catcher. She enjoyed being a felon and promptly hijacked third base in her quest for overtaking home plate. But it was at third base where she was meant with her first “job well done fist bump” by the coach that had pushed her to be her best. Then the player at the plate responded to the challenge placed there by the previous batter and quickly sent a fly ball to left field that also got past the defense and two runs were scored. Now down by on one run the next batter was sent to first with a pitch that got away from the pitcher and hit her on the ankle. The most talented player on the Bronco team came to the plate and she quickly sent another shot to the outfield that rolled to the fence and as the umpire caller her safe at the plate - the game was over and mighty Broncos were victorious. The players went crazy, heck the parents and spectators went crazy but it was short lived because the most talented player on the field laid still at home plate, unable to move - a direct result of the collision that took place to score the final run. Moments later she was carried to the dugout grimacing in pain. But like the Phoenix of old she would rise to fly again. After the customary hand shake by the two teams the coach gathered the team together – he reminded the Bronco players to never give up. There were many great plays to remember but only one was recognized that momentous night – that first batter in the final inning who got a hit with two strikes against her and started the historic comeback. It is going to be a great softball season.