Baseball Stories (11)

. . . it has been a long time since he has taken the field.  The old legs and arm just aren't coming around like they used to.  The winter rest has taken more of a toll than ever before.  The coach hasn't noticed yet and he's missed a few visits to the team doctor.  Nervous, one could guess, but he can't explain why.  There are so many players eager to take his place.  He sometimes wonders why he stays in the game that has served him so well.  It's not just the money.  His team mates, the crowd, the way of life.  Who can say.  Still, the bat has never failed him.  It will be called upon again later this year to work its magic, to bring them around.  To overlook the shadow of younger days.

A crisp, new wind whips through the stadium that his thoughts have overlooked, tossing caps and balls and last year's play book about in its wake.  It will return.  She will not go unnoticed . . .

Baseball Stories (10)

. . . sometime during the top of the seventh, it occurs to him that the best seat in the house is, indeed, here at second base.  Funny, he always thought of himself as a pivotal player.  A pitcher, a catcher, or a short-stop at least.  But no, there seems to be a rhythm here at the top of the diamond, between the infield and outfield grasses, that suits his nature, his purpose for playing the game.

Maybe the coach was right.  After all, he is close enough to the action to see every pitch and has the time to interpret most of the swings.  His shouts of encouragement can be heard by every player on the field.  And those occasional double plays, well, they go without saying.

It's not a bad place to be while waiting your turn at bat . . .

Baseball Stories (9)

. . . on the eve before spring training in a rented hotel room, he sorts through his box of what was to find some room for what will be.  Old family pictures and newspaper clippings cover the bed.  Play books from seasons past are in stacks on the floor beside the new one that arrived in the mail.  His bat waits patiently by the door.  Shaking his head he gives some a toss and packs the others away.

The light of a fire set early that evening finally fades to darkness as he gathers together his needs for the coming day . . .

Baseball Stories (8)

. . . a veteran reporter stops him on the way to the shower after a disappointing loss with bases loaded in the ninth.  "My readers want to know why, for once in your career, you don't just step up to the plate and swing away in situations like this, instead of settling for attempting another of your patented singles down the first base line ?"  Pausing to hang his towel on an available hook, he leans over and whispers in the reporter's ear, "When we have done what we can do, and readers read what writers choose, don't come to me if they are mad, as you can see it's all I have."  He steps into the waiting water and leaves this game behind. . .

Baseball Stories (7)

. . . the coach goes over the batting order and suggests some changes.  He smiles when the coach gives him his new assignment and he adds up the averages of the first three at bats to find that they now equal exactly 1.000.  "That's perfect," he exclaims as he hands back the roster and takes his turn at the plate.  The scorekeeper enters batting fourth and .455 for the record . . .