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Head Coach Tony Bertelli stands in the center as we all take a knee around him. “We need to stay focused. Today, we need to focus on making sure we complete the plays, make the throws, and connect that bat with that fucking ball. We are number one in the division, but the Los Angeles Wildcats are right behind us. They have nothing to lose, and we have everything to lose. So every second you are on that field or behind the plate, you are fighting to stay on top.
“Now, as you know, we are playing the Salt Lake Bears today. We have beaten this team every time we play them, so that means we need to play smart. They are hungry. They want a win against us. They are going to come at us with their best, so we need to come at them with ours. We do not want to lose to this team!
“They are last in the division, and they sure as hell are looking to knock us off our top spot by beating us. The Wildcats are hoping the Bears beat us, too. So, let’s go out there today and disappoint two teams! Get the fuck up and let’s do this!” Coach Bertelli yells as we all jump up and start hooting and hollering along with him.
“Hey, Spencer.” I look over at my third baseman, Tristan Evans.
His lips form a straight line, and his brows furrow. His face always looks like he’s ready to fight someone. He’s usually quiet, and unless he’s out on the field, he’s not typically in the mood to deal with people, or life in general. Baseball is all he gives a shit about.
“What’s up, man?” I give him a short nod.
“I heard they called up Johnson from the Sharks.” Evans looks at me.
Luke Johnson is a young, well-known minor league player who has been making waves for quite a few months. He was taken right out of college and has been waiting for his time to shine. His batting average is extremely impressive, as well as his outfield skills.
“They didn’t have anyone to actually hit on the team, so they had to call up a player?” I laugh. “Don’t worry, I’ve been keeping an eye on that kid.”
“Well, then you know his batting average is .375, the best out there.” Evans stares into me, his eyes boring right through me.
“Yeah, I do. In the minors. This is the big league. Kid’s in for a surprise.” I waggle my eyebrows.
“Cocky much?” Kayce Anderson, our first baseman, comes sauntering up toward Tristan and me and slaps Tristan on the ass. He turns to Kayce and growls. “Calm down, big guy, just a love tap.”
I let out a small chuckle and focus back on Kayce. “Look, all I’m saying is that I have been watching Johnson. He’s good, really good. At theminorslevel. This is the majors; he’s got his work cut out for him.” I shrug.
Kayce’s face cracks into a smile. “Famous last words, Spencer.” He turns to Tristan and gives him a little light tap on his cheek. “Let go, Goliath. We’ve got to warm our arms up.” With that, he walks away laughing.
“I swear he’s lucky we need him,” Tristan growls and turns around, following Kayce.
“Let’s go, Pitch!” Cameron calls as he tosses my lucky ball at me. It’s the one we always start warming up with: the winning ball from my first game as a Maverick.
I tap him on the shoulder with a grin. “Let’s do this.”
Goddamn that fucking Johnson. I lift my hat off my head enough to wipe the sweat off my forehead with my other arm. With my glove tucked under my arm and the ball in my hand, I take a look at the scoreboard behind me.
Four to three. With bases loaded, these assholes are set to win if I give up this hit.
To Johnson.
Because of fucking course this kid is set to possibly win this game against us.
At the top of the ninth, with a full count on this asshole, and the bases loaded, I’m sweating bullets.
“Time!” the umpire behind the plate calls, and I see Cameron run up toward me.
I call out as he gets closer, “Did we need a timeout?”
He grabs the ball from my hand with a nod. “Yeah, I’m starting to see the panic in your eyes.” He gives me a knowing look.
“You’re sixty feet away,” I remind him with a scoff.
He shrugs a shoulder. “I have excellent eyesight. Listen, what’s this kid’s weakness?” he asks me.
“Knuckleball. It’s the only one he can’t hit. Ever,” I instantly respond.
Cameron drops the ball into my hand. “Throw it.”
“Ump’s strike zone is all over the place. He’s never gonna call it.” I shake my head.