Page 14 of Framing the Pitch (Red Dirt Romance #1)

But then Haven goes into her windup, and my focus is once again on the field in front of me.

The entire team has a great opening day, and we win the game in five innings, invoking the mercy run rule.

Because we’re ahead by more than eight runs after the top of the fifth inning, the game is called, and we don’t play the last two and a half innings.

I go three-for-four on the day with my opening double, two singles, and a walk.

Almost everyone on the team recorded a hit.

Overall, it was a strong opening to our season.

I’m pulled aside by a sideline reporter for a national sports network as I head back toward the dugout after the teams congratulate each other.

In past years, the WFL has had to get creative with how we make our games available to our fans, but this is the first year the league has come through with a deal with one of the mainstream networks.

Not all of our games are slated for broadcast, but more than in years past will be, which is a step in the right direction.

The cameraman nods at me and Jocelyn Nichols, the sideline reporter, and she turns to me, bringing her microphone up in front of her .

“Jocelyn Nichols here with American Sports Network. I’ve got Naomi Baer with me today—the San Antonio Storm just kicked off the season with a win in front of a sold-out home crowd.

Naomi went three-for-four on the day with a double and a couple of singles.

Naomi, can you tell me what your game plan was against the Renegades today? ”

The smile on my face grows as I quickly slam my thoughts into a few coherent sentences.

“Yeah, it was a great day. Our goal today was to come out swinging and be really aggressive at our at-bats. We’re definitely a team that would rather put the ball in play than get walked around the bases, so I think it was that mindset that helped us get the runs we needed to finish the game early. ”

Jocelyn smiles back at me, and I settle into the familiar ease of these interviews. Talking about the game and how we played is infinitely better when we’ve won, and I keep that feeling focused in my chest and let it infuse my answers.

Jocelyn smiles back at me, and I try to forget that the cameraman is there—an old trick I figured out early on in my collegiate career. This is just a conversation between me and the reporter.

“You ladies were really on fire with the bats today, but you also locked things down defensively. Haven Hylander , a rookie fresh off a trip to the championship tournament, started for the Storm today. What can you tell me about your mindset when it comes to playing with such a young pitcher?”

I’ve done enough post-game interviews over the years to know the formula for how to answer her questions.

Keep things positive, and most of the questions will be about the same things our coaches talk about with us players during the season.

This particular question is a variation of one that I’ve answered many times over the years—both collegiately and professionally .

“You gotta get out there and show her that you have her back. So much pressure is put on the pitcher to get strikeouts and control the game, but you just gotta step up and make the routine plays, get those outs, to build that trust that her team has her back. We all shoulder the weight of the outcome of the game together.”

Jocelyn shifts, and I can sense the change in topic coming. I take a deep breath and watch her face for any indication on where she’s taking the conversation.

“You’ve spent some time with the women’s national team in recent years, picking up a couple of gold medals in international tournaments. What’s it like coming back to this team with that experience and stepping into a leadership role?”

I smile, looking down and rifling through my memories of my time with the national team. They really are an amazing bunch, and it’s such an honor to compete with the greatest athletes in the nation. I look back to Jocelyn before I answer her question.

“When you’re behind the plate and you’re the one who can see what’s going on in all parts of the field, being a leader kind of comes with the job.

It’s such an amazing experience playing with the national team and getting to rub shoulders and compete with the best players in the country, but then to come back to this league and compete against them feels like even more of an honor.

But we’re all out here doing our best to share the things we learn from the national team coaches with the other ladies on the team.

I think it’s everyone’s goal to elevate those around you to play to their full potential. ”

“Okay, one last question for you, Naomi.” Jocelyn pauses, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, and the extra half breath of hesitation is barely noticeable as I wait for the question. “News broke about you dating Trace Davenport, safety for the Dallas Wranglers, earlier this week. ”

My eyes jump away from the interviewer, immediately finding Trace’s, like he knew I’d be looking for him.

Post-game interview etiquette was one of the things we learned in that fateful class that brought us together.

Answer questions directly. Acknowledge both positive and negative aspects of the game.

Avoid blaming teammates. Not a single one of those lessons warned us about sports reporters asking about our dating lives.

But isn’t that exactly what Trace and I wanted? Bring attention to ourselves and our relationship to bring attention to the league?

I just didn’t expect the post-game interviews to feel like a gossip column.

I force my attention back to the interviewer.

“He’s here today, and I had the opportunity to chat with him earlier in the game. What’s running through your mind having him here to support you and your team?”

“Yeah, Trace and I have known each other for a long time, and we’ve always been each other's biggest supporters. Whether it’s something as small as a college ball game or as big as the conference championship, we’ve always been right there, cheering each other on.

I know it’s a sacrifice for him to take the time from his busy schedule to come watch my games, and it means the world to me that he’s here for this opening day win. ”

“Thank you, Naomi. I’ll let you get back to celebrating your win with your team. The Storm will finish out their series against the Renegades this weekend with two more games here in San Antonio.”

Jocelyn signs off, and I thank her, waiting for the cameraman to signal the broadcast has ended and I’m free to go.

I hustle back to the dugout to collect my gear.

Following the last few stragglers out of the stadium, I stop to sign softballs passed over the wall by young fans and smile for pictures, not caring that I’ll be the last one back to the clubhouse.