Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2022 02:27:49 +0000 (UTC)
From: Blade Hamer <razorbald@yahoo.com>
Subject: Strike Two Chapter 41 Adult/Youth & Athletics

Strike Two Chapter 41 (Adult/Youth & Athletics)

 Strike Two Chapter 41

Disclaimers: Everything you read in this story is my intellectual
property and as such should be treated with utmost respect. The people
described are not living, breathing human beings mind you. They exist
only in the realm of pure imagination. The people described in the story
do not really exist but are the combination of several different people.
Thus, they do not exist.

 ANY RESEMBLANCE TO REAL PEOPLE IS ENTIRELY COINCIDENTAL ON MY PART.

 All other disclaimers/rules/procedures apply.

 If you are under the legal age of viewing this material (depending upon
where you live, that could be any age) please direct yourself to
something else that will occupy your time. I have read plenty of Nifty
stories over the years and have enjoyed many of the stories that I
consider good, now I am just trying to pay it forward. It is going to be
a chapter story, so if you are looking for a quick toss-off better move
onto the next story. Other than that, I hope you enjoy my story.

This chapter does not contain and sex. It is the game between the
Southwest reginal champion and the Midwest reginal champion.

 Constructive criticism/feedback/comments are duly appreciated. Please
direct them to my email at razorbald@yahoo.com. All are welcome.

 Thanks again for reading.

 Blade

 Chapter 41

The boys put their equipment in the third base dugout and were about to
take the field when Blake stopped the boys.

"Okay boys, I just want to say to you before you leave for the field. I
want you to have fun. This team is a good team and have played several
teams much better than us and won. Southern schools get to play baseball
all year round and you guys only get to play four months out of the year.
Now have fun." Blake told the boys.

The boys gave him a cheer and told him they would do their best. Then
headed out to the ballfield. The team would have to play catch along the
dugout while the other team took the infield.

Adian and Jose warmed up in the bullpen. Jose directed the pitches and
like usual Adian never missed the spot. When he called for a fastball,
Adian threw a fastball. When called for a slider, Adian threw a slider.
Jose just smiled; he knew Adian was ready for this game. He just wondered
if the coach would let him pitch the whole game or pull him because of
the pitch count.

When the Southwest Region team finished their warmups, then it would be
the Cougars turn to take the field for their warmups before the start of
the game.

Jose had Adian throw slower pitches so not to let the other team see how
well Adian could throw. Blake thought that was a good idea.

Earlier Blake had pulled the two boys to the side and had a talk with
them. Blake wanted both Adian and Jose to take their time with their
warmup. That way the other team would not know how strong of a pitcher
Adian really was.

Once the boys had finished their warmups the umpire called out for the
batter.

***

"Good evening, ladies, and gentlemen and welcome to the evening session
of the 2012 Little League World Series, I am your commentator and joining
me this evening is Jack Cannon."

"Thank you, Jim. It is a pleasure to be here. It is going to be a good
game this evening."

"Yes, it looks like this game is going to be a good game. Between the
Midwest regional champions and the Southwest regional champions.
McAllister Park has a record of 33 and three going up against the Wilton
Cougars with a record of 34 and 0. Wilton is one of three teams left in
the series that have yet to lose a game during this series."

"Yes, Jim and that is because of just one of the Wiltons pitchers
starting this game tonight. From what I understand Adian Parks has had
several games where he has been close to pitching a shutout game. It also
helps that he has a wonderful team backing him up. I think we could see
this team returning to the world series."

***

Adian stepped up onto the pitcher's mound and looked to Jose for the
call.

Earlier Blake had told both Jose and Adian that it would be up to them to
call the pitches. He would only step in if they got into trouble. Blake
had also talked to the boys in detail about the players for the
McAllister Park team. The first batter was very good at bunting.

Jose was not going to give this batter any chance to bunt the ball. He
called for a changeup on the outside of the plate.

The batter squared as Adian went into his windup.

"Strike one!" the umpire called out. Jose just smiled because Adian had
placed the pitch right where he placed his glove. Even after catching
Adian for a while now, Jose was always amazed at how that boy could place
a pitch.

Adian took the first three batters in nine pitches.

Watching the pitcher warm up, the Cougars knew this may not be an easy
challenge. The pitcher's control was like Adian's but nowhere near as
fast.

Freddy stepped in with the instructions to watch the first pitch.

Freddy watched the first pitch go by and it was high and just off the
plate for ball one. Freddy stepped out and looked down the third-base
line to Blake. Freddy was given the sign to bunt. He knew it was coming,
it was talked about before the game started.

Freddy stepped back into the batter's box, knocked the dirt from his
shoes. And got in his stance. As the pitcher went into his windup Freddy
squared to bunt. Both the first and third moved forward. Freddy could see
the pitch was high and pulled back.

"Ball two!" the umpire called out. Freddy stepped out and looked down
at the third baseline at the coach and was given the sign to bunt once
again.

Again, Freddy stepped back in and got ready. Once again when the pitcher
went into his windup Freddy squared for the bunt. The corners rushed in
just as Freddy dropped the bunt right on the third base line. Freddy took
off for first and beat the throw by half a step.

Eric was the next to step up to the plate. He looked down at the third
base line for the sign. Just like Freddy he was told to watch the first
pitch. All the players were told to watch the first pitch the first time
they were up to bat.

Eric stepped into the batter's box and watched as the pitcher went into
his windup. The ball was high and just on the outside of the plate.

It was in the same spot Freddy's first pitch was, Eric knew the next
pitch would be right down the middle. Eric stepped out of the batter's
box and looked down to third baseline for the sign, then stepped back
into the batter's box.

He was given the sign to swing away and that was just what he did.

Ting

The ball flew over the shortstop's glove, the shortstop did get a piece
of it, which changed the direction of the ball. instead of going into
left field it deflexed toward third base. The third baseman reacted by
running out to field the ball. The shortstop moved toward third base
which opened second base. Freddy moved to second base and Eric made it
safely to first base.

RJ stepped up to the plate and was ready to watch the first pitch. Just
like all the other first pitches it was high and to the outside corner of
the plate. RJ stepped out and looked down at Blake along the third base
line. The sign Blake made RJ smile. He had been wanting to swing away. He
knew if he made contact with the ball, it would be gone. He had wanted to
be one of the heroes at the Little League World Series. RJ watched as the
pitcher went into his windup and released the ball. He could see the ball
was going to be high and inside. Only Rj misjudged the ball and the ball,
and it hit him in the shoulder.

Rj grabbed his shoulder and went down on his knees. Blake could see RJ
was in pain and rushed to see if he was okay. Tanner came out from the
aid station. Blake recognized Tanner right away. Blake let him talk to RJ
while he stood there and watched the man do his job.

"Can you move your arm?" Tanner asked RJ.

Slowly RJ began to move his arm. Both Blake and Tanner could see that RJ
was in pain.

"Do you think we need to take him out of the game?" Blake asked. RJ
moved his arm again showing his coach his arm was better.

"I am okay, coach it is much better now." RJ told both Blake and
Tanner.

"I want to take a closer look. But it can wait." Tanner said to Blake
and RJ. Rj got up rubbing his shoulder and trotted down to first base.

Cheers were coming from the crowd as Adian stepped up to the plate. He
could hear his teammates calling out as well as his friends in the
crowd.

Blake had talked to Adian before the game. He had told Adian that he
might not get a hit in this game. Adian figured that would happen. He has
yet to strike out and has only been walked six times during the whole
tournament. But would the Texas team be willing to walk in a run during
the first inning?

Adian watched as the pitcher went into his windup. Like the other he
watched as the first pitch was high and to the left of the plate for ball
one.

Adian stepped out and looked down at Blake knowing full well what Blake
would signal him what to do. The sign was basically nothing. Blake had
left it up to Adian to decide what to do.

Adian stepped back to the plate, but not before knocking the dirt from
his cleats, he then got set for the next pitch. He watched as the pitcher
went into his motions. As the ball was release Adian could tell it would
be a sinker. He could see both Freddy and Eric breaking from second and
third. Adian knew he would not have a second chance to hit the ball. So,
he watched as the ball began to drop.

Ting

The ball just barely went over the second baseman's head. Adian took off
for first base, while RJ headed to second.

Freddy came home with Eric right on his tail. The centerfielder threw the
ball to home plate. Blake saw the throw and waved RJ to third base and
Ben told Adian to go to second. The catcher had no choice but to throw
the ball to second and Adian slid under the tag.

A cheer went up from the crowd. Adian got up and dusted himself off, then
looked to Blake for the signal, Kristopher was standing outside the
batter's box waiting for the same signal.

With the score being two to nothing Blake gave the sign to swing away.

Kristopher stepped in and watched as the first pitch was called a strike.
Kris stepped out of the batter's box and looked for a sign from his
coach. Blake sign almost made Kris laugh. During a meeting with the team,
he said if he wanted to go with the same sign, he would brush his
shoulders off then wiggle his butt and then tip his hat.

When Blake first showed the boys the sign, they all laughed hard. Kris
was having a tough time not laughing. He could also hear the guys in the
dugout laughing.

Kristopher stepped back in and got set for the next pitch. The pitcher
went into his windup and threw the ball.

Ting

The ball flew past the second baseman. RJ headed home with Adian right
behind him. Both boys came into home plate standing up. Now with the game
four to nothing, Blake gave JD the sign to bunt. All this was talked
about in the team meeting. From the films Blake had watched, the Texas
team had a tough time fielding bunts down the third base line.

JD stepped in and just like everyone before him he watched the first
pitch and just like everyone else the pitch was high and outside. Except
for Kristopher, the first pitch was called a strike. JD stepped out and
looked down the third base line and waited for the sign from Blake.

JD already knew what the sign would be. Blake gave the same sign that he
gave Kristopher. Once again, the dugout laughed, and JD had a big smile
when he stepped into the batter's box. JD waited for the pitcher to
release the ball before he squared to bunt. Kristopher was at second base
before the ball dropped down the first baseline. Both the pitcher and
first baseman rushed the ball leaving first base open. It looked like the
ball was going to go foul. JD had put enough spin on the ball that it
wandered back into the playing field.

JD reached first base without a problem. Kristopher had even rounded
second and made it to third standing up.

Up next was Peter Philips. Peter had stepped up to the batter's box and
looked down the third base line to coach Blake for the sign. He was given
the sign to hit away.

Now Peter was not the best hitter on the team, sure he had had a few hits
during the regular season, but he had gone hitless during the Little
League World Series. He had walked several times and flew out a few
times. But he did not have a hit. Now his coach was giving him the sign
to swing away.

Peter was excited and scared that he would screw up. He stepped into the
batter's box and waited for the first pitch. Just like everyone else the
pitch was high and to the outside for ball one.

Peter stepped out of the batter's box and Blake gave him the same sign
he gave both Kristopher and JD. Again, the dugout laughed as well as a
few fans that were sitting in the stands. Peter then stepped back into
the batter's box. Peter felt the pressure lift from his shoulders.

Peter stepped up to the plate and faced the pitcher. The first and third
base men stepped up to the grass looking for the bunt. Peter watched as
the pitcher went into his wind up.

Ting

Without even thinking about it, Peter took off for first base. Ben was
telling him to go to second. With his head down he ran to second. He
looked up and when he looked up, he saw Blake signaling him to go to
third.

Peter figured he had hit a triple. Which would have been the very first
time he had ever hit a triple. Just as he was about to reach third base.
Coach Blake gave him the sign to go home with a big smile on his face and
his hand in the air waiting for a high five.

Peter then noticed the crowd and his teammates were going crazy. Peter
had just hit a three-run home run. He had never been so excited and proud
of himself. When he touched home plate his teammates mobbed him.

Aaron would be the next batter to step into the batter's box. Just like
everyone else he watched as the first pitch went by for ball one. Aaron
stepped out and looked down towards coach Blake.

Blake just gave him the same sign he had given Kristopher, JD, and Peter.
The team from Texas looked confused. They were not sure to come forward
in case Aaron bunted or to play back to catch the fly ball if it was hit
in the air.

Aaron watched the next three pitches get called balls and was walked.

***

"It appears that the Cougars have the Texas boys confused as on what to
do." Jim Nance told the listening audience.

"I agree. It looks like the coaches did a little research on the boys
from Texas." Jack replied to Jim and the listening audience.

***

Jose now stepped up to the batter's box and looked for the sign from
Coach Blake. He was surprised when he was given the sign to swing away
just as Peter and Aaron.

He could hear his family calling from the stand to him in Spanish as well
as his teammates from the dugout. He stepped in and watched the first
pitch just like all his teammates had done before him. He stepped one
foot out of the batter's box and watched as Blake went through his silly
signs as what he had done with his fellow teammates. Then he stepped back
in.

Jose watched as the pitch was released from the pitcher's hand. At first
it looked like it was breaking to the inside of the plate. And when he
moved to get out of the way the ball hit him in his left thigh which
dropped him straight to the ground.

Blake was at his side in a flash and Tanner was there moments later.

"Are you okay?" Blake asked.

"I can't breathe." Jose said with a labored breath.

"Is it okay if I touch you where you got hit?" Tanner asked.

"Yeah"

Tanner lifted Jose's hand away from where he had his hand and applied a
little pressure. He was looking at the boy's face. Jose flinched a little
but that was expected after being hit by a wild pitch.

"It does not look like anything is broken. It is up to you if you want
to stay in the game. But you should get up and walk it off. Blake agreed
with Tanner suggestion.

Jose got up and walked around and stretched out before heading down to
first base. A cheer went up from the crowd.

Freddy was up next. Having seen the pitcher already, Coach Blake gave the
boys the choice to swing away. It also was the pitchers second time
seeing the batters he would be facing.

The pitcher had taken his coach's advice, throwing the ball high and to
the outside. They wanted to see if the Wilton Cougars would chase the
ball. The pitch he threw to the last batter slipped from his hand; he
didn't mean to hit the batter.

Now his coach had given him the chance to throw what he and the catcher
had in their repertoire.

Freddy stepped in after getting the sign from coach Blake. Freddy had
made up his mind and decided he would watch the first pitch go by for a
called strike one.

Freddy just looked down at the third baseline, he knew what the coach
would give him for a sign. He got set and waited for the next pitch. This
time the pitcher went low and to the inside. With the count now at one
and one Freddy stepped out and looked at the coach. The next pitch was
high and to the outside for ball two.

The pitcher for the Texas team was unsure of what he was to do. He had
already allowed seven runs but thankfully he had only walked one player,
well except for the wild pitch that hit the guy on first.

He figured his next pitch would be down the middle at the height that the
batter held his hands.

What the young Texas pitcher did not know was the players from the Wilton
team were used to facing Adian during their team practices, so they were
used to his fastballs and his change ups. Sure, they struggled to hit
most of his pitches. But when they did, they hit balls well.

Freddy could see that this pitcher was good but nowhere near Adian's
ability. So, Freddy knew he could hit this guy if he was given the right
pitch.

Freddy stepped back in and watched as the pitcher went into his pitching
stance. He could not go into his windup because of the two runners on
base. Freddy watched as the pitcher reached back and threw the ball.

Ting

Freddy put his head down and ran straight to first base. He was hoping to
see Ben giving him the sign to go to second but as he rounded first base,
he noticed the outfielder throwing the ball into second base. He knew he
had flown out but at least he scored both Aaron and Jose. Jose had slid
under the tag at home plate.

Now with the score 9 to 0, Eric was up to bat once more. The crowd was
going crazy the Texas coach had come out to the pitcher's mound and had a
talk with his pitcher and the infield.

Blake had come in to talk with Eric. He gave him instructions and then
went back out to the third base coaching box. Eric stepped in and swung
at the first pitch offered. He made contact with the ball, but it
grounded to the shortstop, who made a great stop and threw him out at
first base. Now with two outs RJ stepped up to the plate.

RJ knew what he had to do. The pitch that Eric hit was just outside the
plate. He knew the pitcher would throw the ball more than likely be in
the same spot. So, he set up looking for the same pitch.

Rj was right, the pitch was just outside but the umpire called it a
strike. RJ stepped out and looked down the third base line. RJ already
knew what the sign would be. So, he nodded his head and stepped back into
the batter's box.

The next pitch was high and to the outside, but RJ fouled the ball back.
The catcher had no chance of catching the ball. The pitcher had regained
his pose and came at RJ with a hard fastball. For a third strike.

Adian was in the batter's box and quickly moved back to the dugout to
retrieve his glove and quickly moved out to the pitcher's mound. What
Adian did not realize at the time was that they were going to a TV time
out. The umpire stepped out to talk to Adian.

"We are in a two-minute commercial break, I will give you a signal when
you can start your warmup pitches." he told him then walked back behind
the plate and told Jose he could start warming up the pitcher.

Adian finished his warmups and the umpire called for the batter up. The
next Texas batter was their number four batter or as some would call him
the cleanup hitter. Jose lined up where he wanted Adian to pitch the
ball. They had agreed beforehand that the first pitch would be a fastball
right down the middle.

The hitter never even seen the ball pass by him. The ball was in Jose's
glove before the batter swung his bat. The number four batter never even
had a chance at the next two pitches. Neither did the next two batters.
The crowd went crazy when the last pitch was thrown. Adian had struck out
the side with nine straight pitches.

***

"It looks like the boys from the Southwest region is having a hard time
with the young pitcher from the Midwest region but everyone that has
faced this young pitcher has had problems."

"I agree with you Jim. Adian Parks is one of those players who has a
talent that many of these other young players wish they had. From what I
understand Adian has only been playing baseball this summer. Before this
he was a diver in his local swimming club and from what I understand from
Gregg Louganis he is also a talented diver too." Jack Cannon told Jim
Nance and the listening audience.

"I saw him earlier surrounded by the Japanese team earlier today." Jim
Nance told the listening audience.

"Yes, from what I understand, there are two young divers on the team
from Japan that are taking instructions at a camp being held here in
Williamsport this week. I also understand that Mr. Parks is also involved
in the same camp." Jack Canon replied.

"Wow, they are some busy young men."

***

Adian stepped up to bat. Blake had explained that the Texas team would
more than likely walk him. Blake told Adian if they did, he wanted Adian
to watch how the catcher and pitcher reacted and if it was a casual
throwback to the pitcher, he wanted Adian to round first and take off to
second base. If he was called out it would not matter. They had a
nine-run lead.

Adian watched as the catcher stood up and the pitcher threw the ball
outside for ball one. Adian knew that they were going to walk him. He
knew that they were not going to give him a chance of him getting another
hard-hit ball.

Adian was surprised at how casual they were. Adian knew if they did this
with the last pitch, he would do exactly what Blake had told him to do.
When the catcher stepped out, he waited for the pitch and when the
catcher caught the ball, he took off for first base.

Ben smiled at him as he approached the base. The catcher casually threw
the ball back to the pitcher. Adian was halfway to second base when the
pitcher caught the ball and when he saw Adian was on his way to second
decided to throw the ball. In his rush to throw it to second he did not
notice that neither his shortstop nor his second baseman neither player
were even close to the base and the ball sailed out into the outfield.

Adian looked up to see what Blake wanted him to do. He was telling him to
slide. Adian went into the bag feet first so he could bounce up if he
needed to continue. Adian watched as the ball sailed past his head and he
was on his feet and on his way home.

He did not even hear Blake telling him to stay on the bag. He then slid
feet first into the home plate.

"Safe" the umpire called out. The crowd roared as Adian came to his
feet. Kristopher was the first to reach him then he was crushed by the
rest of the team. When they finally released him, Blake picked him up and
gave him a huge hug.

"You did great little brother." Blake whispered in his ear. He then set
him down and told him to head back to the dugout.

Kristopher was up next. He could see that the Texas pitcher was shaken up
as well as his teammates. Kristopher stepped in and waited for the first
pitch. It was high and to the outside. The next pitch was down and away.
Kristopher could tell the pitcher was struggling. When he stepped out to
look down the third base line. All Blake signaled him to do was to swing
away.

Kristopher stepped back in and watched as the pitcher went into his
windup. Kristopher connected with the ball sending it over the head of
the shortstop into left field. The leftfielder was playing deep, so, the
ball fell in front of him as he came in to make the play.

Kristopher rounded first and was stopped by Ben. The outfielder played
the ball off the first bounce and made a perfect throw to second base.

Next up to bat was JD. It seemed like the Texas boys had calmed down. JD
went down on a full count.

Peter felt confident knowing he had already hit a homerun against this
pitcher. Blake had given him the sign to swing away. Peter hit the ball
hard, but the outfielder moved under the ball and made a good catch for
the second out.

Kristopher moved to second base. Aaron stepped up to the plate. He was
ready this time, he wanted to get a hit instead of walking. He wanted to
move Kristopher to third or to drive him home. Just like his first at bat
the pitcher walked him with four straight pitches.

With runners at first and second Jose stepped up to the plate. His leg
still hurt but he was a tough kid and could handle anything this pitcher
could throw at him.

The pitcher came at him with a hard fastball and Jose fouled it off for
strike one. The next pitch was high and just outside but the umpire
called it a strike. This was the second time the umpire had called that
same pitch a strike. Now Jose was down with no balls and two strikes.
Jose wanted to say something to the umpire but knew if he did, he would
get reprimanded by Blake.

He stepped out of the batter's box and looked at Blake. He got the sign
to swing away. Jose watched as the pitcher released the ball. Again, the
ball was high and to the outside and the umpire called it strike three.

This time it was Blake who approached the umpire and asked why it was
called a strike. It was high and to the outside. The umpire just turned
and walked away without saying a word. Blake knew if he argued with the
umpire he would be tossed out of the game. He just wanted the game to be
called fairly. Blake wondered if the umpire would be calling Adian's
pitches fairly.

Blake wondered if Adian struck out the side if he should pull him from
the game. He would kick himself in the ass if someone else he put in
would allow the Texas team to come back. He has Bobby he could use
knowing the Texas team would have a tough time hitting his off-speed
pitches. He would just have to see what happens this inning.

Adian has already faced the toughest part of the lineup. He was hoping he
could take down the last three batters just like he did with the first
six batters.

Jose had Adian start out with his knuckle ball. The batter never saw it
coming. Jose just smiled when he saw the ball drop like a changeup
would.

Adian had nothing to worry about, he struck out the side. With nine
straight pitches. Not only did Adian do a good job but Jose called the
perfect pitches.

Now Blake had a choice to make, with a ten-point lead, he needed to get
the other boys into the game. The tough choice was keeping Adian in the
game or subbing him out for someone else. He decided to put Kristopher at
pitching, Bobby in center field, Brian in left field, Peter Corona at
third base, and Carlos out in right field.

Blake knew having Kristopher at pitcher he would be able to keep the
Texas boys limited to one run if he was not able to strike out the
side.

Freddy was up first and got a nice base hit.  Eric also got a nice hit to
have runners at first and second. RJ walked to load the bases. He kept
Adian in for this bat knowing that he would either get walked or get a
hit.

Ting

Adian cleared the bases scoring Freddy, Eric and Rj but was stopped at
third base. He now had three triples in the little league world series.
Even if their world series ended today, he would be the MVP of the
tournament.

Kristopher stepped up to the plate, ready to drive Adian home. He was
surprised when Blake gave him the sign to bunt. Kristopher knew better to
argue with Blake, so he got his mind set to do the task that Blake wanted
him to do.

The team had practiced the squeeze play many times during practice. If
anyone could score Adian from third base it was him. He waited for the
pitcher to reach the point of throwing the ball before he squared. The
Texas team barely had time to react. Kristopher had dropped the ball down
the third base line.

Blake had Adian wait, the third baseman rushed the ball grabbed it looked
at Adian before throwing it to first. The moment the third baseman
release the ball he sent Adian to home plate. Kristopher was safe at
first base and the moment the first baseman sent the ball home he was off
to second base.

Adian scored figuring he would slide under the tag, but the ball was
thrown wide.  Again, the crowd went wild. Adian could hear Ryo and Miki
yelling louder than everyone else. It put a smile on his face.

Bryan was the next up to bat. Just like the other boys he was told to
wait on the first pitch. Again, the umpire called the pitch a strike even
though the ball was thrown high and to the outside of the plate. The next
two pitches were in the same spot and Bryan was struck out. The umpires
called strikes did not go unnoticed. The crowd was now starting to boo
and hiss his calls. Peter Philips stepped in after getting the sign. He
waited to see what the pitcher was going to do. The first pitch was down
and away for a called ball one. The next pitch was high and away for a
called ball two. Peter stepped out and got the sign from Blake to swing
away. The next pitch was down the middle. Peter hit a hard-hit ball
straight back to the pitcher who made an amazing catch for the second
out.

Peter Corona stepped in for his first at bat. He made contact with the
first pitch but hit a grounder to the shortstop for the third out.

Kristopher headed out to pitch while Adian went to the shortstop
position. While Jose warmed Kristopher up while the rest of the team did
their infield warmups.

Kristopher struck the first two batters out with eight pitches. But the
third batter hit the ball to the shortstop. Adian made an amazing catch
and throw to first base for the third out.

As per the rules of the Little League World Series, when a team is down
by 10 runs or more the team must play four innings and at the end of the
fourth inning if the team has not scored. The game would be over.
Instead, the umpire had the team from Texas take the field.

Jose started the bottom of the fourth inning with a hit to left field
dropping just behind the third baseman. Freddy stepped in next, he
squared to bunt drawing first and third in Jose was on his way to second
as Freddy dropped the ball down the third base line. The third baseman
grabbed the ball and made a beautiful throw to first base for the first
out.

Eric had a hard-hit ball to short center where the Outfielder made a
great grab and throw to second to keep him from moving to second. He also
moved Jose to third base.

Bobby Olson stepped in next. He watched the first pitch just like
everyone else did. The ball was low, and the umpire called it a strike.
Which drew boos and cat calls from the crowd. Blake wanted to say
something to the umpire but held his composure. He was going to say
something to the tournament director after the game was over.

Bobby stepped back in and went down swinging, fouling off two balls
before swinging at the last pitch. This would bring Adian back to the
plate.

When Adian stepped to the plate the catcher stepped out from the plate
and had the pitcher throw the ball to the outside. Then he turned to the
umpire and told him they were going to walk the batter. Adian made his
way to first while Eric went to second.

Now it was Kristopher's turn to bat. Blake gave him the sign to swing
away. The first pitch was high and to the outside and once again the
umpire called the pitch a strike.

Blake thought about walking up to the umpire and asking where the pitch
was. But knew if he did, he would lose his temper and get thrown out. He
needed to keep calm for the boys. He had a levelheaded batter in
Kristopher. Plus, the crowd was giving him a hard time, with his terrible
calls.

Kristopher stood in ready for the next pitch. It was high and to the
inside and again the umpire called it a strike. Blake turned to the third
base umpire and asked if he would have called that a strike. All the
umpire did was shake his head. Blake knew that the umpire agreed that the
pitch should have been called a ball.

Kristopher just waited for the next pitch, he wondered if he was going to
throw an outside pitch or if he would come at him with a fastball.

Ting

"Look at that ball fly. It is going to be a long one."

"You can say that again. This team is amazing. Most teams have only one
star player. It looks like the Wilton cougars have several if not all of
the players. It is unusual to see such a talented team."

"The amazing thing about this team is the range of ages of the players.
The youngest on the team is a ten-year-old and the oldest is just barely
twelve from the records." Jim told Jack Cannon and the television
audience.

"Yes, the oldest player on the team is Kristopher who just hit the
second grand slam in this game."

"I agree this is going to be the team to beat going forward." Jim Nance
told the listening audience.

***

Kristopher crossed the plate and was met by his best friend Adian and
then the rest of the team. Now it was Bryans turn up at bat. He stepped
in and waited for the first pitch. The pitch was called a strike even
though it was low and to the inside. The umpire made sure the next two
pitches were also called strikes.

Peter stepped into bat and was also called out on questionable pitches.
Blake knew he would have to have a talk with the tournament committee to
have this umpire removed from the rotation of umpires.

Kristopher headed out to the pitcher's mound. Jose had him all warmed up
by the time the first batter for the Texas team came up to bat.

Just as Blake figured the umpire was calling strikes balls. Walking the
first two batters. Blake decided to go out and talk to his infield. So,
he called time and had the boys meet him at the mound.

"Okay boys, it looks like we are not going to get a fair called pitch.
So, Kristopher is going to throw pitches that the batter cannot refuse to
swing at and that means it will be up to you guys to make the plays to
get the outs. Now go and talk to the outfielders and let them know."
Just as Blake told the boys what he wanted. The umpire told him to go
back to the dugout.

Kristopher got set and threw a pitch that the batter could not refuse.
The batter hit the ball which went straight to Freddy at second base for
the first out the runner at second went on the hit as well as the runner
at first. Freddy threw the ball to Adian who made the first out then
threw it to first base for the third out, which ended the game. With the
score seventeen to nothing.

The boys tackled Peter who did a great stretch to catch the ball for the
third out. Once the boys finished their celebration, Blake had the boys
clean out the dugout while he went in search of the tournament committee.
He had a bone to pick with the home plate umpire. When he found one of
the members of the committee member, he let him have it. The game should
have ended at the bottom of the fourth inning. Plus, the many called
strikes when it was obvious should have been called a ball.

Meanwhile the boys packed up all their gear and headed out to the waiting
crowd of friends and family.

Adian was surprised to see Gregg Louganis standing with Ryo and Miki.

"You really are a good baseball player. These two boys could not stop
talking about you. Adian, you did a great job." Gregg told the young two
sport athlete. "I will see you tomorrow." Then turned and let Adian and
his friends celebrate.

Sorry it took so long to finish this chapter. I was interrupted by health
issues. I am better now but still have a long way to go.

If you enjoy this story, please let me know all comments are welcomed
good and bad.

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