Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2020 20:57:58 +0000 (UTC)
From: Blade Hamer <razorbald@yahoo.com>
Subject: Strike Two Chapter 26 (Adult/Youth & Athletics)

Strike Two Chapter 26

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 rather 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've read plenty of Nifty
stories over the years, and have enjoyed many of the stories that I
consider good, now I'm just trying to pay it forward. It's 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 sincerely hope you enjoy my
story.

Constructive criticism/feedback/comments are duly appreciated.

Please direct them to my email at razorbald@yahoo.com. All are welcomed.


I am sorry I have not replied to many of your comments, I am sorry that
has taken longer for me to write this chapter. It may take longer to
write the follow up chapters; I suffered a small stroke and was
hospitalized for three days. I have lost 35% use of my left hand and the
left side of my face is numb. I may struggle but thankfully I am still
alive and still have my mind. It will be a struggle, but plan on
finishing the stories I have started.

Thanks again for reading.

Blade

Strike two

Chapter 26

The Cougar's vs. the Iowa All-stars

Blake had Kristopher and Adian come with him to home plate for the coin
toss. John Parson had Bobby and Jose warming up outside the dugout. Blake
had Adian make the call because he always was lucky and just as before
Adian won the coin toss and chose to have the Cougars to be the home
team. Once back in the dugout Blake gave the boys a quick talk.

"Okay, guys it is time to play. I believe in you guys, and that you will
play the best baseball you are able too. Remember you are not playing by
yourselves, there are nine players on the field and you have been playing
as a team for the last three months, and have yet to lose because of any
mistakes anyone as ever made. Now, go out there and have fun."

The boys let up a cheer and then went out to their positions. Bobby
started his warmups and the boys took their infield. Blake had Peter
Philips warming up Jd Smith in left field while Eric and Carlos warmed up
each other.

"Balls in" called Peter when the umpire gave him the signal for them to
play ball. Bobby smiled when the first batter stepped in. He was just a
little smaller than he was, the boy had a small strike zone but he knew
he could get this kid. The first pitch was right down the plate for a
called first strike. his next pitch was high and to the inside of the
plate and the batter swung for a called strike two. The next two pitches
were just outside and the batter held off. Bobby figured he would come
back with a fastball up the middle and the boy fouled it off down the
third baseline where Aaron got under the ball for the first out. Even
though the Iowa All-stars had seen the play of the Cougars they had not
seen Bobby's pitching. The next two batter went down on strikes.

"Good job." Blake said as he patted Bobby's butt coming into the
dugout.

Freddy was the first batter for the Cougars. He stepped in after looking
down the third baseline for the sign. The first pitch was high and to the
inside, he stepped out tightened his gloves and stepped back in.

Ting

The ball flew into short left field for a nice single. Next up to bat was
Eric stepped up and looked down the third baseline and watched Blake give
him the signal to bunt. Eric stepped in and squared to bunt. The first
baseman rushed forward as well as the third baseman. The ball was high.
So, Eric pulled back and let the ball go by, but Freddy took off for
second base. Freddy was under the tag at second. Eric stepped out looked
to Blake then stepped back in. The pitch was low this time, he held off
for ball two. Eric didn't step out because he had already received the
next signal from Blake. Before the game Blake had talked with them about
double signals. The first signal would be what he wanted his batter to do
during that at bat the second was to let them know what to do at the next
at bat. Eric watched as the pitcher threw the next pitch. He had been
practicing for this play for the last few weeks with his two brothers.
They had even talk to Blake about using it in a game and this was their
chance. Sure, it was only the first time they would be running this play,
but there has to be a first time so why not now. Eric waited till the
pitcher was in his windup when he squared to bunt again and when he did
so Freddy took off for third. As first and third charged for where they
thought he was going to bunt. Eric pulled back and soft hit the ball over
the third baseman's head. Freddy rounded third and was home safe easily
sliding under the throw from the shortstop. But the play was not over.
Eric did not slow down he watched as the shortstop grabbed the ball and
when he did not look at Eric, he took off for second. When the catcher
missed the tag at home, he thought he would be able to make the play at
second and knew he had made a mistake and threw the ball over the second
baseman's head. Eric watched as the ball sailed over the second baseman's
head and took off for third. The center fielder jogged up to the ball and
half hardly made the throw to third only to be cut off by the shortstop.
Eric could hear the guys on the bench whooping and hollering along with
the boys from Chicago who had stayed to watch Wilton play. Aaron was
batting third and the Iowa boys remembered him from their first game. The
outfield moved a few steps back and the infield did the same. So, when
Aaron squared his bat, he caught everyone off guard and laid the perfect
bunt down the third base line. Eric took off for home while Aaron made it
safely to first base. Kris was up next, he looked down the third base
line for the signal then stepped in. The first pitch was high and to the
inside. He stepped out adjusted his gloves then stepped back in.

The pitcher looked at the catcher waiting for a sign. They had seen this
kid before in the first game. He was wondering why the Cougar's had
elected to put this guy as the cleanup hitter, he hadn't really done
anything in the first game they played. They were more worried about that
Adian kid, he was way more dangerous as a fielder and a hitter. Caden
shook off the curveball sign and decided to go with the fastball up the
middle. He got into his windup and threw the ball just where he planned.

Ting

Caden watched as the ball began to rise and headed straight for the
centerfield fence. He thought Thomas had a chance to catch the ball, but
there was no way he would be able to get to it before it flew over the
fence. Caden was pissed it was only the first inning and he had already
given up four runs and he was his team's best pitcher.

Peter, JD and Bobby all went down on strikes. Blake was not to happy the
boys went down, but at least they went down swinging instead of standing
there watching the ball. Bobby did much better at the top of the second
he only allowed two hits before striking out the side of the inning. The
boys were facing the same pitcher from the first inning, Jose and Carlos
started the inning off with a single and a double. Freddy stepped in and
laid down a bunt and was thrown out at first base scoring an RBI. The
All-stars were a little wary of Eric. He squared to bunt like before, but
the players stayed where they were. Eric laid down the perfect bunt.
Dropping the ball right down the third baseline. Jose stayed long enough
for the third baseman to charge the ball and turn to look at him. He was
off to home plate before the ball left the third baseman's hand. Carlos
went halfway to third before stopping to give Eric a chance to get to
first. Unfortunately, he was thrown out at first and the first baseman
made a great throw to third to cause Carlos to return to second base.
Next Aaron stepped up to bat. This time the Iowa All-Stars moved up
incase Aaron turned to bunt. Aaron looked down towards Blake to get the
signal. Blake gave him the swing away sign and he stepped in. The first
two pitches were high and outside. The pitcher must have remembered where
he like to hit the ball. He liked them a little high and to the inside.
Aaron stepped out knocked the dirt off his shoes and stepped back in. He
remembered the advice David had given to him once while he practiced with
the Wilton Hornets. Always keep an eye on the pitcher's hand where the
ball is. If it is high when he releases the ball it will be high and to
just wait for the pitch.

Ting

Aaron tucked his head and sprinted to first base. John waved him to go to
second and Blake stopped him there. Carlos scored and now the score was 5
to 0. When Kris stepped into the batter's box the All-Stars backed up.
They remembered what he had done the inning before. But the Pitcher for
the All-Stars worked his pitches around Kris and he was walked. Peter
once again struck out and JD hit a nice hit over the shortstops head, but
not enough of a hit to score the runners on base. Bobby hit a nice hard
one to the second baseman for the third out.

Bobby didn't do as well at the top of the third allowing 4 hits walking
two and allowed 3 runs before closing out the inning. Iowa only allowed
one hit before closing out the bottom of the third inning. Blake decided
he was going to go with Bobby as pitcher and he wanted to keep Iowa off
their guard. Using Bobby would allow them to use Adian in the next game
if they were to lose this game. Bobby struck the first two batters out
then walked the next two batters. Blake thought about bringing Adian in
to close the inning knowing he could do the job. The only problem was
that the next batter up to bat was their best hitter for the Iowa
All-Stars. The boy stepped in and Bobby's first pitch was a little high
and to the inside for ball one. Bobby checked the base runner then threw
his next pitch.

Ting went the bat as the batter hit the ball.

Bobby watched as the ball flew over Carlos's head and landed just before
the outfield fence. When the ball took a bounce off the fence, both
Carlos and Eric chased the ball. Once Eric got the baseball, they threw
it to Kris who had come out for the cutoff. Kris made a laser throw to
get the batter out at home plate. But not before the Iowa-All-stars
managed to score two runs. Bobby felt bad as he went into the dugout.
Blake finally made his changes but not before the boys would get, their
at bats.

Jose was first to bat and got on with a bloop single into right center
right between the first and second baseman's heads. Blake had him steal
on the first pitch to Carlos. Carlos swung hard and was in the way of the
catcher so he could not make the throw. After he had done that the name
calling started. Carlos wasn't sure if the umpire heard it but the
catcher said.

"Spicks can't play baseball so what the hell are you doing here?

Carlos called time and stepped out of the batter's box and motioned for
Blake to come meet him halfway.

"What's going on?" Blake asked.

"Remember when you told us before the game to tell you if someone called
us a name. Well, the catcher just told me that spicks can't play
baseball." Carlos told him.

"Ok, if he does it again let me know. What I want you to do is stay in
the batter's box and raise your hand with three fingers in the air. Then
turn to block his throw to third." Blake told the young ballplayer.
Carlos smiled and went back to the batter's box. He watched for the next
throw which was high and to the outside. The catcher made a nice catch to
stop the ball.

"Hey, beaner why didn't you swing at that one?" the catcher said. Carlos
stayed in the batter's box and raised his hand with three fingers up.
Jose took off for third, the catcher never had a chance to throw the
ball.

"Time out." Hollered the coach from the Iowa dugout. The umpire called
the time out and went to talk to the Iowa coach.

"Shouldn't that have been a time out? He raised his hand like he was
asking for a time out." He asked the umpire. The umpire explained to him
that the player has to step out of the batter's box and tell him he wants
a time out. So, the ball was actually still in play. It was then that
Blake walked toward the Iowa coach and the umpire.

"Excuse me for a moment. Umpire, did you happen to hear what the catcher
said to my batter?" Blake asked.

"Yes, I did and I was just about to bring it to the attention of the
coach." The umpire said. "Twice now I have heard your player make slurs
to the batter and up to this point I have let things fly. But If I hear
one more comment or slur to these fine young ball players, I will have no
choice but to have him thrown out of the game."

The Iowa coach then called his player over to where he was and told the
catcher to watch what he was saying to the players. From what Blake could
hear was that he just wanted him to stop talking to the batter, but he
did not tell him to watch his slurs. Blake began to wonder if The
All-star coach was just as racist as his ballplayers were, or if it was a
learned behavior. The Cougars are a very diverse team, with four Hispanic
boys, two black boys, and one Asian American mix. Then again Blake and
the boys have lived in Minnesota all their lives and had always had a
multi-cultural surrounding. In Wilton alone the population of Hispanics
was a third, with another 10% being black and another 5% being Asian.
Even with the 55% white population the city had a Hispanic Mayor.
Finally, the umpire called for the batter and Carlos stepped in, with
Jose at third.

Ting

The ball was well hit and flew just over the third baseman's head. If the
third baseman had just jumped a little bit higher, he may have caught the
ball. Carlos made second base just before the leftfielder hit the cutoff.
Freddy laid down a perfect bunt down the third baseline but was thrown
out at first with a perfectly thrown ball by the third baseman. Eric
brought Carlos home on a fly ball to right field.

So, with the score 7 to five and two outs, Aaron stepped in, but not
before looking down the third baseline to see what Blake wanted him to
do. Aaron just stepped in and set his eyes on the ball. The All-Stars
remembered him from before and they all backed up and the infield move to
the back of the diamond just before the grass at the back of the infield.
Aaron watched as the pitcher went into his motion before squaring around
and bunted the ball down the first base line, just beating out the throw
to first base.

Next up to bat was Kristopher who drove the ball into left center. That
would bring Aaron home all the way from first base.

Peter was not as lucky; he had a nice hit to center field but the
centerfielder was able to make a nice diving catch to make the third
out.

Adian had been warming up in the bullpen just behind the dugout. He was
more than ready for his turn at pitching. The other boys who were going
in to play looked like they were ready to play. Everyone on the Cougars
team began to wonder if they were even going to get to make a play while
in the field. They all knew how well Adian could pitch.

Just as predicted the first three went down on nine pitches. First up to
bat was RJ Johnson, he stepped in After getting the signal to hit away
and drove the third pitch into right center. It bounced right in front of
the right fielder. He made a nice stop but his throw to first base was
too late to get RJ out. Up next was Adian. The Iowa All-Stars had yet to
see Adian at bat so they played up figuring Adian would bunt to move RJ
up to second base. Little did they know that they would be wrong. Blake
was confused by how far up the All-Stars were playing and was hoping
Adian would make the boys pay for their mistake. Adian Stepped in and
took the first pitch for strike one. Adian didn't need to step out to
know what Blake wanted him to do.

Ting

The pitcher looked up and watched the ball clear the center field fence.
The look on the Iowa coaches' faces were priceless, next time they would
not play up close when Adian came up to bat. With the score ten to five.
Jose stepped in and hit a nice fly ball to left center. The left fielder
caught it on the first bounce and made a nice throw to the shortstop to
stop Jose from advancing to second.  Sean Marcus was up to bat for Carlos
and hit a nice fly ball to left field moving Jose to second. Freddy
stepped in and laid down a nice bunt to move the players around on the
field but was thrown out at first. Next Eric stepped in and went down
with a strike out on a full count. Aaron now stepped in with Jose at
third and Sean at second, Blake gave the signal for Aaron to swing away.
The fielders all moved in a few steps but looked like they were ready to
move back the moment it looked like Aaron would swing and swing Aaron
would as he drove the ball to right field. The fielder played the ball
off the right field fence and made the perfect throw to second base to
get Aaron out for the third out. Blake blamed himself; he had John send
the boy to second. He figured the right fielder's arm would not be strong
enough to make the throw.

At the top of the fifth Adian once again struck out the side with twelve
straight pitches. Three of the pitches were called balls but no one
argued the calls.

Kristopher hit a nice single to right field but the fielder had to work
for the ball as it bounced over his head but he hit the cutoff to stop
Kris from advancing. Peter Philips was up next and flew out to
centerfield but not before moving Kris to second base. RJ stepped in and
went down on four pitches; he was hoping to get on base because Adian was
up to bat after him.

"Hit it out!!" Abe called from the fence.

 Adian turned and gave him a thumbs up and walked up to the batter's box.
The umpire had stepped over to the fence to get some new baseballs, while
the umpire was doing that the catcher made a racist slur to Adian. Adian
stopped and looked at him and before thinking made a remark of his own.
This time when the catcher repeated what he said to Adian before the
umpire heard the young tween. Not only the umpire but the fans in the
stands heard what the boy said and that included Abe's mother.

"What did you say young man?" Abe's mother yelled at the young boy as she
charges the fence. Several other parents also charged the fence.
Thankfully for Blake's calm attitude he was able to calm the parents
down. Next it was the coach from the Iowa All-Star team to calm his
parents down after the catcher had been tossed out of the game. Many of
the parents were screaming racial slurs at the Chicago parents and kids.
Meanwhile Blake had gathered all his players and was explaining what was
happening. The boys could plainly see and hear what the parents of the
Iowa All-star parents were saying and doing. Once The umpire got
everything calmed down the best, he could he called for the teams to take
the field. Adian stepped into the batters box after the pitcher was
allowed to warm up with the new catcher.

"Hit one out." Jermaine and Abe yelled out again. The players on the Iowa
bench glared at them.

Adian stepped up and looked out at the pitcher. The pitcher went into his
motion release the first pitch which was high and to the outside. Adian
stepped out and looked at Blake. Adian smiled and shook his head. Adian
was laughing in his head at the signs Blake had given.

They made no sense, Blake had just moved his hands all over his arms,
belly and shoulders. None of them were part of any of the signals they
had set up before. Adian stepped into the batter's box, took a couple
practice swings and then set himself. He watched as the pitcher went into
his motion. Adian could already tell that the ball would be high and to
the outside. It appeared they intended not to take the chance to give
Adian a pitch he could connect with. Adian did something he would never
have done. He took a swing as the ball passed by him. He was late and
well under the pitch.

Blake just smiled when Adian turned and looked at him. Blake knew what
Adian was going to do, they had talked about this before. Adian figured
some teams would try to walk him instead of letting him get a hit. Adian
had yet to strike out. He either walked or hit the baseball. Adian tucked
his head and waited for the next pitch. The ball was once again thrown
high and to the outside. Adian decided to swing late on this pitch also.
Now he was behind in the count one ball and two strikes. The pitcher
looked at his coach. The Iowa coach stepped out of the dugout and gave
some signals then went back into the dugout. The pitcher went into his
windup. Adian watched as he released the ball which was heading straight
for his head. Adian quickly ducked out of the way of the ball and fell on
his butt. The crowd of parents fell silent as the umpire look first at
the pitcher then at the coach. The kids on the Iowa bench were laughing
and giving high fives to each other. Even the two coaches and manager
where laughing.

"Nice throw" came the shortstops voice, then the rest of the team out in
the field began to let their own voices be heard.

Blake ran up to Adian and asked if he was ok. Adian just stood up and
brushed himself off and told Blake he was fine. The umpire looked at
Adian and asked if he was okay and Adian just looked at him and said he
was okay. Again, the Iowa coach stepped out of the dugout and gave signs
to his pitcher and catcher. Adian stepped back in and looked determined
to hit the ball. With two balls and two strikes, Adian got himself set.
Once again, the pitcher went into his windup and released the ball. This
time the catcher moved to Adian's right and caught the outside of the
outer corner of the plate.

"Ball three!" called the umpire.

"What the fuck are you looking at?" came a voice behind the umpire. It
was one of the parents of the Iowa team. Other Iowa players parents were
yelling and swearing at the umpire. The umpire turned listened and then
walked over to the Iowa coach who was now outside of the dugout once
again. With a calm demeanor the umpire walked over to the coach while
waving Blake over. As Blake approached the umpire cleared his voice and
said.

"I am warning you now. This game is being recorded for ESPN and with foul
language coming from the fans. I will have to ask you to talk to your
team's parents and if I hear another swear word coming from anyone. I
will ask everyone to leave. These are children playing and for an
important spot in the Little League World series. Plus, if it continues,
I will also ask you as their coach to leave as well." he said looking
first to the Iowa coach as well as Blake.

Both Blake and the Iowa coach said they understood. Then the coaches made
their way to the fans and told them to keep the language down. After that
was settled, everyone went back to the dugouts and told the players and
coaches. Blake went back to where Adian was standing and told him to
crush the ball if it was there. Then walked back to the third base
coaches' box.

"Play ball!" the umpire called out.

The Cougars had played 34 games during their season and had never
encountered any team like the Iowa All-Stars. Blake could see that some
of his players were rattled by how this team from Iowa was acting and
called for a timeout. The umpire walked toward Blake and asked what the
problem was? While Blake explained to the umpire. The Iowa coach called
his pitcher and catcher over and had a talk with them. The umpire
understood why Blake was concerned but said he couldn't allow it while
the game was still in play. Blake said he understood and went back to the
coaching box at third base.

"Bring me home." called Sean from second base.

"Get a nice hit." came Kris's voice from third. Then the rest of the
team started calling out from the dugout. Soon the crowd of parents and
players started calling out encouragements.

Adian stepped into the batter's box and took a swing. The pitcher went
into his windup, then threw the ball. Adian could see the ball was going
to go to the inside of the plate just at his knees he stepped back and
adjusted his hands.

Ting

Abe watched as the ball flew to the deepest part of the outfield. There
was no chance for anyone to catch that ball. Adian had hit that ball so
hard it flew into the parking lot fifty feet back from the ball field.
When the crash of the ball braking someone's car windshield he just hoped
it was one of the Iowa players parents' cars. He also turned to watch the
Iowa players on the ballfield as the pitcher and some of the fielders
threw their gloves down in anger. This game was all but over. Adian
stepped on home plate and was mobbed by his team mates. Abe, Jermaine and
some of the Chicago teams' players mobbed the fence next to the Cougar
dugout.

Jose stepped into the batter's box but went down on three hard thrown
pitches to end the bottom of the fifth inning. All Adian had to do was
strike out the side of the inning and the game would be over. Blake had
told Adian to mix up his selection of pitch's and that is what the boy
did. The Cougars were on their way to the Little League World series. It
would be the first time in over ten years that Minnesota would be
represented there and Blake believe this was the team to win it all.

Adian was mobbed by the Chicago players as he exited the dugout. Both Abe
and Jermaine gave Adian hugs.

"Thanks for staying and watching the game." Adian told his two new
friends.

"Wouldn't have missed it, damn boy you are just awesome." Abe told Adian.
"I am going to try and talk my mom into taking us to watch you guys play
at Williamsport. I think you guys are the best. He said looking around at
all the other Cougars players. You guys are the only team that gave us
any respect."

Adian could see the tears in the young black boy's face. He then did
something he thought he would never do in public. He leaned in and gave
Abe a kiss right in front of everyone. Neither boy felt any shame as they
kissed in front of everyone. Abe knew he would get teased by his team
mates but he didn't care he loved Adian just for who he was.

Adian was surprised when two boys from the Iowa All-star team came up to
him after everyone had broken up.

"Hey" said the tall boy from Iowa. "My name is Carl and this is Everette
we just wanted to say it was great being able to play against a solid
team like you. This is our second year on the team. We just want to
apologize for how some of our players behaved. We are not like them and
wish you the best of luck at the series. Me and Everette think you guys
can win it all. So, good luck and have fun."

Once again Adian did something he never thought he would do and pull both
boys to him and gave them hugs. The boys talked some more about the game
and some of their other games during the tournament. It was starting to
get late and the boys said their goodbyes and headed off. During this
time Richard and Robby had been waiting for their turn at Adian. They
expressed that they had fun and would watch Adian play on tv. They told
Adian they didn't think they would be able to talk their dad into taking
them to Williamsport. They too said their goodbyes and headed out but not
before telling Adian to keep in touch. Finally, with everyone gone Adian
went to catch up with his new family. Scott and Evan were packing the
stuff into the back of the SUV. Blake was talking to his father and
mother and Little Jake was strapped into his child safety seat sound
asleep.

"Well, I will see you guys at home. We have a lot of things to do in the
next week." Blake turn to Adian and put his arm around his shoulder. "You
did great out their little brother. I am so proud of you at how well you
kept your cool." Adian blushed and tried to hide his grin.

"I just knew if I said anything that the umpire would think I started
things and you always told us to use our heads." Adian replied to Blake.
Blake just gave the young ballplayer a hug. John told everyone to grab
their stuff because they were heading out.

Adian crashed the moment he sat down in the back of the SUV. Actually, it
was a quiet ride back to Wilton. Everyone was sleeping when John finally
pulled into the driveway of their home. Quietly they got the boys out of
the SUV and into bed. It was a quiet night in the Holand house that
night.





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