Slugger

Slugger

Jared’s first time at bat. He had joined the team late, moving into town mid-year, he’d never played baseball before. Coach was concerned, but in their age group everyone who tried out played. Coach did his best telling Jared that he was going to put him in even in their first game, but he didn’t have to bat unless he felt ready.

The outfield was fine, nobody looked at him, except his mother. But batting! Everyone watched the batter and the pitcher. But then the team was so far ahead, Coach encouraged him, saying if he struck out it wouldn’t matter and he’d get the experience behind him. Lots of players struck out. Jared gave in, nervously, and Coach put him in as a pinch hitter for Billy. Billy didn’t care; he’d rather be eating popcorn anyway.

The first pitch flew by while Jared was trying to remember everything he could about his stance. Strike! The crowd blew up, as usual, adding to the pressure. He was ready for the second, but missed. Strike Two! Now the pressure was intense. Jared wished he could just disappear instead of striking out in front of all these people. He glanced toward his mother. She immediately stuck out her tongue, making Jared laugh.

Suddenly Jared was thrown into a whole different place by his mother’s action. The pressure melted away. Suddenly it was just him and Mum, as usual. He and his mother facing the world together. The ball left the pitcher’s hand. Jared had no memory of how he did it, but he hit the ball. The crowd went wild! He hit it good! Unfortunately, it went up, over his head and crashed through a window of the school. That was first grade, and that’s how Jared got the lifelong nickname, Slugger.