Date: Tue, 31 May 2022 01:46:43 +0000 (UTC) From: Blade Hamer Subject: Strike Two Chapter 3 9(Adult/Youth & Athletics) Strike Two Chapter 39 (Adult/Youth & Athletics) Strike Two Chapter 39 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 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. Constructive criticism/feedback/comments are duly appreciated. Please direct them to my email at razorbald@yahoo.com. All are welcomed. Thanks again for reading. Blade Sorry for the yearlong wait. I have finally recovered from some serious health problems. In May of last year, I suffered a serious stroke I worked through lots of therapy. I thought things were good for a few months but then I suffered from several collapsed vessels around my heart and had open heart surgery. Once again, I recovered but then came down with covid and spent another few months in the hospital. I have finally recovered and got back to work on the story. I had to reread my own story to figure out where I left off in the story. So, for the last few months I have been writing and have finally finished chapter 39. I hope you enjoy. Blade Hamer Strike Two Chapter 39 Adian stood there in shock, never in his wildest dreams, had Adian ever thought he would get to meet the great American Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis. Now he was finding out that he would be coaching him along with Ryo and Miki. "It is nice to meet you sir." Adian said politely. "It is nice to meet you also. Mr. Abe has told me all about you. It seems like you are a good athlete. He tells me that you are a good baseball player as well as a diver like his son Ryo. I would like to see how well you can dive. Get into the warming pool and when I call you come to the diving platform." Greg told Adian. All three boys went to the warming pool and waited for the coach to call them to the pool. Ryo was the first to be called and coach Louganis had him do a simple forward dive with a twist. After Ryo dived, he called the boy over and he spoke to him in Japanese. Miki was next, again the coach had him do the same dive as Ryo. Miki's dive was slightly better than Ryo's. Miki talked to the coach and came back with a smile on his face. Adian was up next. "Show me your best dive." coach Louganis told him. Adian got on the platform and decided to do a double back flip with a twist at the end. He had been doing this same dive for the last two years with the help of his father's coaching. He thought he had perfected the dive. But when he finished and got out of the water. Coach Louganis called him over. "Very nice. Who taught you how to dive like that?" Greg asked. Adian was not sure he wanted to tell his coach that it was his father who had taught him. But he figured there would be no harm in doing so since he was no longer with his father. Sure, he had learned a lot from his father. The joys of running and diving. Adian still had dreams of the day his father hurt his mother bad. If it had not been for coach Blake, his mother would have died. He still misses her a lot. "My father taught me." "I would like to see more." Coach Louganis told Adian. So, for the next twenty minutes Adian was showing him every dive, his father had ever taught him. "Very good, so are you going to join the swim team back at your school?" Greg asked Adian. "We do not have a swim team. There is not enough interest in our school to have a team." Adian told Mr. Louganis. "Is your father still coaching?" Greg asked. He could see the frown on the boy, so he did not wait for an answer. "Okay forget I asked. Is there a swim club where you live?" Greg asked again. "No, I use to go to another town with my dad. But he no longer coaches there. So, I have not been there in a year." Adian told the coach. "Well, I will just have to talk to someone in your area. You have enormous potential. With a little work you could be one of the top junior divers in the country." Coach told him. Adian felt proud that he could be told that, by one of the greatest American divers. Before they left the school Mr. Louganis gave him one of his cards and got Adian's information. But before he did that, he called his foster father John to get permission to give the man the information. John wanted to talk to the Coach, and they had a long talk. Gregg told Adian to get changed and would meet him out front with his phone. Adian notice that Ryo and Miki had waited for Adian to join them, and all three boys talked excitedly about how their practice went and how much they had enjoyed getting coached by coach Louganis, from the sound of it he would be here all week and weekend. So, the boys would still get to practice with them for the next few days. The schedule would have to be flexible because of the baseball games that were scheduled. Once in the locker room it was loud and noisy. There were naked boys all over the place. Ages 9 years old up to 18 years old. Dicks, cocks, and penis's flopping all over the place. Miki had a huge smile on his face as well as Ryo and Adian, the boys were getting their eyes full, and it was beginning to turn them on. It looked like it would not be a problem showing off their erections. Most of the boys and teenagers were sporting erections while walking in the showers, they grabbed their towels and headed in. They found three shower heads next to each other and quickly cleaned up. There would be no messing around this time. If there had not been so many other swimmers in there, they may have given each other a hand job before leaving. Adian figured they could do it once they were back at the Grove. When the boys finished dressing after their shower, they met Mr. Abe and coach Louganis. Greg gave Adian his phone back and then handed all three boys packages and were told not to open them until they got back to the Grove. But Mr. Abe had other plans for the boys. He had planned for them to go to an off-Broadway show. He was lucky enough to score tickets to the musical Stand by me. He brought a change of clothes for all three boys. He knew Ryo and Miki's but had to call john to find out Adian's sizes. When John asked why he needed Adian's to get some new clothes. Tito told him that he was given four tickets to an off-Broadway show and wanted to take the boys to the evening show. John then asked what show because they were also going to a show. Both men were surprised that they had tickets to the same show and that their seats were only four rows apart. With their new clothes on, they headed into the big city. On the way they stopped at a nice restaurant and had and early supper. Once they reached the theater Tito took them to their seats and as they were sitting down, a voice came from behind them. "Adian?" It was his uncle Logan's voice. Adian would know that voice anywhere. Adian turned around to see Logan, Scott, Jake, Mary, and John. Miki and Ryo had seen the two teenagers, while watching the Cougar's baseball team play. They were always the loudest when Adian came up to bat. Adian rushed to greet his foster brother and his uncle crushing them with his embraces. "What are you guys doing here?" Adian asked. "Dad got us the tickets." Scott said when Adian released him from his grasp. "Mr. Abe was given some tickets, that's how we got here." Adian explained to both his brother and his uncle Logan. The boys had to take their seats. They wanted to sit together but were not able to because there were not enough seats for all five boys to sit together. Adian sat with Miki, Ryo, and Mr. Abe during the show. This was his very first Broadway musical. Hell, it was the first time he had ever gone to any type of theatrical performance. Adian was enthralled with what was going on. Miki and Ryo were also engrossed in the musical. They had been to the theater before and had even been involved in plays back home in Japan. The boys laughed when the funny parts came along. The one part that Adian had to explained to Ryo and Miki was the scene where Gordy pulled a leach from the inside of his underwear. At the break between acts the boys all headed to the bathroom together. They had to wait in line to get to the urinals. Miki stood next to Logan while at the urinals and peeked while Logan had his penis out. He was surprised at how big the fourteen-year-old was. Once back at their seats he made a comment to Ryo at what he had seen in the bathroom. Adian overheard their conversation and had to laugh. "As long as I can remember he has always been big like that. I heard some of his friends call him donkey dick once, it always reminded me of that movie Shriek and his friend donkey. I have called him donkey occasionally, and he just pulls it out and wags it at me." Adian told them. They all had a laugh just before the second half of the musical. All three boys were amazed with the play. Several songs made them want to sing along. Occasionally, both Ryo and Miki would lean in and ask about what some of the things the boy on stage were doing and what they meant. They also gasped when the two stars on stage kissed. Something like that would never be seen in Japan. When the play ended both Logan and Scott told them to wait. John and Mary waited with the boys in their seats. John had Adian explain to Mr. Tito what was going on and when the two stars of the show came out to meet with the boys, he allowed them to go backstage to meet with the other members of the cast. Carson and Jack showed all five boys around backstage and then into their shared dressing room. Once the door was closed the two boys began to take off their makeup and change their clothes. All five boys were surprised when the boys dropped their underwear exposing themselves to their guests. Logan gasped as he saw his favorite Broadway star naked Infront of him. He was not disappointed in what he was seeing. Sure, Carson was not as big as he was, but he was pleased at the six-inch penis this young star was carrying. Jack Logan was no slouch either. Sure, he was a year older than Carson and his penis was just a little bigger than Carsons at around six to seven inches. Both boys did nothing to hide their erect penises as they undressed. Logan knew he would be worshiping the two naked boys in front of them later that evening. Adian thought he would not mind getting to know these two boys better himself. Adian would find out later what both his foster brother and uncle would get to do with them. He would be jealous, but he would get to do things later that would make them even more jealous. Once Carson and Jack were dressed, they led them back to the front where they told Scott and Logan, they would see them later and thanked Adian, Miki, and Ryo for coming to see them. Once back out front they met up with John, Mary, and Mr. Tito where they said their goodbyes. John gave Adian some money, he would need it for the trip back to Williamsport. It would be a long drive back to the ballfields. At least that is what the boys thought. The boys were surprised when they drove to an airport. Ryo's father knew it would be a long ride back to Williamsport so he had planned ahead, by asking his father if he could use the company's private jet. That way instead of having to drive three hours back and having the boys lose sleep. It would only take a half hour flight time. The jet was waiting on the tarmac and Abe was motioned to drive up to the jet. Once the boys were strapped in, they only had to wait another fifteen minutes for them to take off. This was only the second time that Adian had ever been in an airplane. The first time was on the flight too Williamsport and now he was in a private jet flying him back to the ballparks. All three boys were amazed at the site of leaving the airport and then the site of New York City as they left. They were amazed at the lights all the way back to Williamsport. The plane circled the ballpark allowing the boys to see the ballpark from above. The plane was met by a limo which took the boys back to the ballpark. When the boys entered the Grove, they were met by the night security guard. That allowed them to get inside it was after twelve and all three boys headed to their rooms. After the excitement of the day, all three boys fell asleep once their heads hit the pillow. Adian had a great dream he was naked and kissing Miles. The first boy to introduce him to boy sex. When he woke the next morning, he thought back to his dream. He wondered if Miles was watching their baseball games. For some reason Adian felt a special connection to Miles. Adian knew he would see him again when he got home. Adian got dressed in his running clothes and headed out for his morning run. He was met at the front door of the Grove by Li, Liu, Lok, Ryo, Miki, and Aaron. All six boys were standing there talking. What surprised Adian was that the other five boys were translating what they were saying to Aaron, so that he was not left out of the conversation. This is what true friendship is with others from around the world. Once Adian opened the door he was greeted with a warm and welcoming good morning. He talked with all six boys before setting out on their morning run. As they were running their morning route, Aaron informed Adian that the game that had postponed yesterday would be played later this afternoon. Li, Liu, and Lok said they would be at the game. Their game would be an early one tomorrow. Ryo and Miki's team had an afternoon practice and would miss most of the game. But promised to come and watch the last few innings of the game. When the boys finished, they headed in to have breakfast. Aaron chose to sit with the group he had been out running with. He like these boys. Especially Li Han, he would talk to him while they ran. It was like they were long lost friends. Making jokes and talking about stupid trivial things. Once they finished their meal, they all headed up to their rooms to change and get ready for another day of baseball. At nine Aaron came to get Adian to head down for the morning practice. Blake met Adian and asked how he enjoyed his first time in New York and Adian went on to tell him about his little adventure. When he finished Blake sent him to play third base. Blake was always amazed at how his little foster brother played. The kid never missed a hard-hit ball and had an arm on him like no other twelve-year-old he has ever seen. If there was anyone in this group of kids that should be captain of the baseball team it was Adian. At the end of morning practice Blake told the kids to get some rest and to have a lite lunch. Then told the boys the starting line. It was no surprise when Blake told the boys who were starting. It was the same line up that they had talked about the day before. Starting at first was Sean Marcus, at second was Eric Hooper, Aaron Danvers at short stop, Adian Parks at third base, Peter Corona catching, Peter Philips in right field, Bobby Olson in center field, David Ramires in left field and Bryan Mars as the starting pitcher. That meant that Adian and David were the two oldest players at twelve years old. Everyone else was younger. They were the youngest team at the Little League World Series. If they lost the game, it would not make a difference in the pool play but it would mean they would no longer have an undefeated record. Even still, they still had a good chance of winning the game against the Mexican National Little League team. Blake had watched all the games prior to today's game and knew which players were their best players and how to counter them. By using Bryan Mars as the pitcher, it would throw their hitters off. And by the time the Mexican teams' players figured him out he would have switch pitchers. Aaron, Adian, Bryan, and Peter Corona headed to the Grove where they went to the lunchroom to grab a snack. They still had two hours before they had to get dressed and get ready for their game. Adian looked around for Miki and Ryo but could not find them anywhere. He did find Carlos and Jose, who were sitting talking to one of their cousins. Hector was a good-looking boy; the Mexican team was housed in another section of the Grove. If they would have been in the same area Adian might find himself visiting Hector. The only problem Hector did not speak any English. He was not like his cousins who spoke English perfectly. Adian wondered if Jose or Carlos would introduce their cousin to him. Adian walked over and stood there listening to the boy's talk. Adian was a fast learner and listened. He knew some words of Spanish, but they were like where is the bathroom and por que which means why. He also knows how to say what is your name and what his name was but that was about it. "Hey, Adian this is our cousin Hector." Carlos said to him not wanting to leave Adian out of their conversation. Adian sat down and listened while Carlos and Jose translated what was being said. If either brother wanted to sit in on a conversation with Miki or Ryo, he would be happy to translate for them. The boys talked for a while then they had to get ready for the upcoming game. So, Hector said goodbye and said he would see them at the game. *** Blake was impressed at how well Bryan was pitching at practice and how well Peter was doing catching. Blake was pleased how well Peter was looking to him to see what pitch Blake was calling. Meanwhile, John Parson had the boys hitting batting practice and the boys looked in good form. Ben kept the boys busy telling them jokes and trying to keep them calm. Besides coaching first base during the tournament this was another of his jobs he promised Blake he would do. He knew this was just one of the reasons Blake had brought him along. It also helped he was only seven years older than most of the boys on the team. (Game time) "Welcome back to the Little League World Series for this afternoon's international game between the Mexican Oriente Little League who are 3 and 1 and the Mid-West Regional Wilton Cougars who are just one of the undefeated teams going into this with a 38 and 0 record." Tim Lizar told the audience watching the game. "Tim, I took notice while going over the starting lineup of the Wilton Cougars that they have the youngest players starting this game. With three 10-year-old, four 11-year-old and two 12-year-olds. It also means this group that is on the field makes them the youngest team in the Little League World series this year." Jim Nance told his announcing partner Tim Lizar and the listening audience. Jack Cannon had the day off. But was still at the game watching with his son PJ Thorndyke. Jack had called PJ and asked him to come down to watch the game with him. PJ knew he could not turn his father's request down especially when his father told him about the young player from Minnesota. PJ has been very instrumental in starting the National Youth Baseball Association back in 2008. Even though he plays a small role, he helps to fund the organization and helps to promote the NYBA through setting up new teams throughout the United States. The Little league organizations tend to decide who and where teams play their championship games. Where the NYBA draws from several other organizations like the AAU, AABC, Babe Ruth, Dixie Youth, NABC, PONY, Super Series and USSSA. This was a true representation of baseball throughout the United States. They were still in the beginning stages and have yet to go international. Hopefully, they would be doing so in the future. "It looks like the Wilton Cougars have lost the toss. Which means Mexico will be batting last." "First up for the Cougars will be Sean Marcus" Sean looked down the third base line. It was just a formality because Sean had already known what the signal would be. They had talked it over after Bobby had lost the call at the plate. He was to watch the first pitch go by. From what Blake had told the boys the first pitcher they would be facing was known for his hard throws but did not have particularly good control over that pitch. Blake had also told the boys he tends to start with that pitch then switch to an off-speed pitch and if that did not work the boy would go to his curve ball which was his best pitch. Sean wondered why the boy would not start with his best pitch, he knew Blake would let him and the other pitchers. After getting the sign Sean stepped in. Blake had been right the first pitch was a fast ball which was high and to the outside. The next two pitches were the same. Sean was ahead in the count with three balls and no strikes. The next pitch was a curve ball which broke across the plate for the first strike. When Sean stepped out for the next sign from Blake, he was surprised to see Blake give him the sign to take the next pitch. The boys on the Cougars knew from all the games if you did not listen to coach Blake calls, you would be sitting out the rest of the game and into the next game before you would get to play again. He had made this instruction clear from the very beginning of the year. Sean stepped in and watched as the fifth pitch sail over his head and the catcher and umpires head to the back wall. Sean did not hesitate and took off for first base. As he approached the base Ben was signaling him to go to second base. Sean was one of the faster boys on the cougars he rounded first and looked to Blake who was telling him to slide into second. Sean just made it under the tag at second. It was just like Blake had told the boys the team from Mexico would make mistakes and the team would take advantage of them. Eric Hooper was up next, and he repeated the process. With men on first and second, Blake gave the signal for Aaron to bunt and that is just what he did right down the third base line. The third baseman rushed the ball along with the first baseman and confused the pitcher and second baseman, so no one was covering first or third. Both Sean and Aaron made it safely to first and third. The third baseman made the throw to second, but the short stop missed the bag and Eric was safe at second. The team from Mexico knew they were in trouble, the best hitter from the Wilton cougars was now coming up to bat. They had talked about something like this happening prior to the game. It was decided at that time if there were runners on base, they would walk Adian Parks. "It looks like the Mexican team plans on walking Wiltons number 29 Adian Parks." Jim said to Tim and the listening audience. "It is probably the right thing to do. He already has three grand slams coming into this game." Tim replied to Jim. "Here's the pitch high and outside." "They're taking a chance letting him stay in the batter's box, it would be better off if they pitched out." Tim told the listening audience. The next three pitches thrown were pitched out when the catcher stood up and stepped out from behind home plate. One run scored on the intentional walk, but bases were still full, and Peter Corona was up to bat. Peter is a good hitter, but he is not one of the strongest on the team. Blake made the discission to have Peter swing away. Two of the three baserunners were the top sprinters on the team. Blake could have him bunt, but Peter was a better hitter than bunter. Peter stepped in and watched as the first pitch went over his head for ball one. Blake signaled to bunt. He knew what to do, the pitcher would come with a curve ball, and he was told to wait for the last second to pull back. It would draw the corners in. If it was called a strike he was to swing away on the next pitch. If it was called a ball, he was to repeat the bunt play. The idea was to keep their opponents off guard. Peter did as instructed, Blake had never led him wrong he was not about to doubt him now. The next pitch was a curve ball but broke to far inside and was called ball two. Peter knew that the next pitch would be a fastball. He was right and he squared to bunt like the pitch, he squared, which drew the corners in. Only this time the pitcher lost control, going over the catcher's head and went all the way to the fence. Scoring Eric Hooper while moving Aaron and Adian to second and third. Blake gave Peter the go ahead signal to swing away. Peter got the pitch he wanted and needed hitting to shallow right. Just out of reach of the second baseman who went back to try and make the catch and just in front of the right fielder. Scoring both Aaron and Adian. Bobby flew out to the centerfielder and David Ramiers hit into a double play ending the top of the first. Bryan Mars stepped in to pitch. Jose warm Bryan up while Peter got his catchers gear on. Once dressed, Peter stepped in and took a few more catches before the umpire call out to play ball. Blake had been right the players from Mexico struggled against Bryans pitching. Blake knew he would only be able to use Bryan for a couple of innings before they would figure Bryan out. Bryan struck out the first three batters with his off-speed pitches and fastballs. Bryan was not allowed to throw a curveball, but he had been taught by his father how to throw a knuckleball. Which Blake has him use a lot, since no one has figured out how to hit. Bryan was the first batter at the top of the second inning and was quickly walked. Sean stepped in and hit the first pitch as he was instructed to do by Blake. That moved Bryan to second, but Sean was thrown out at first base. Eric moved Bryan to third on a hit up the middle. Now the cougars had runners on first and third. Aaron stepped up and looked at Blake and was given the sign to take the first pitch and then was allowed to swing away at the second pitch. Aaron stepped in and waited for the pitch. The pitchers first pitch went wild and flew over both the catchers head and the umpire. Bryan was gone before Blake could tell him to go. The only problem was that the ball bounced right back to the catcher. If it had not been for the umpire the young catcher would have tagged Bryan out at home plate. Eric went to second standing up. The next pitch was outside and to the left of the plate. For ball two. Aaron stepped out and looked to Blake for the next sign, which was for him to swing away. Aaron looked over to Adian who was in the batters warm up circle. He smiled knowing that Adian was making the pitcher worried. He wondered if they were going to walk him again or try to strike him out. From what Jose had told him, the Mexican team would try to keep him from getting any hits. Kristopher laughed when he had heard that knowing there was yet to be a time that Adian had been struck out. The only tangible way they were going to get him out was if he were thrown out. Ball four. Aaron ran to first base. Now there were two runners on, and Adian was up to bat. Adian looked to his foster brother for the signal. Just like all the other boys he was given the sign to wait on the first pitch. He watched as the first pitch came in. What he did not see was that Blake had given both Eric and Aaron the sign to go on the first pitch. Blake knew that would really shake the Mexican team up. The catcher was so confused he had no idea where to throw the ball. Adian figured they would pitch out the next three pitches. To his surprise the pitcher came at him with a fastball right down the middle. For called strike one. Now with the count at 1 and 1. He was ready for the next pitch. Blake had given him the sign to swing away and that is what he did. Ting Everyone watched as the ball flew off the end of the bat. It was high enough, but it drifted past the third base foul line. Adian was halfway to first base before he was called back, strike two. With one ball and two strikes the pitcher from Mexico figured he had Adian and decided to go against his coaches called pitch. He was told to pitch out after the foul ball. Instead, he threw a fastball down the middle. Ting The Mexican pitcher watched as the ball flew back to the two twenty mark on the fence, just over the head of the left fielder. A loud cheer went up through the crowd. Adian was met at home plate by both Eric and Aaron and the rest of the team. The cougars now led the Mexican team eight to nothing. And there was only one out at the top of the second inning. The coach walked out to talk to his pitcher to calm him down. But he never made it to the bottom of the inning. Peter, Bobby, and David were all walked. Bryan struck out for out number two. After the pitcher had been removed and a new pitcher replaced him. Sean hit the ball to the right field scoring Peter and Bobby. David was thrown out at third base ending the inning. Bryan went in and pitched to four batters striking out one and having the one walk and having the fourth batter hit into a double play. After Bryan's performance, Blake decided to keep Bryan in and pitch the top of the third inning. That way saving one of his pitchers for another game. Eric and Aaron flew out, and Adian was walked. Peter ended the inning by striking out. Bryan ended up walking the first batter, the next batter hit a single to right field. Blake began to wonder if he did the right thing by leaving Bryan in, but he need not to worry. The next batter stepped in and hit a hardline drive to Adian who snagged the ball out of nowhere then threw the ball to first for the second out of the inning. Bryan then struck the next batter out. Bryan was met by every player on the bench with hugs. Bryan knew he was done. He had served his purpose and was happy to watch the rest of the game. The Lavia twins would be going in Carlos at catcher for Peter and Jose for Bryan who would be going to right field. Sean would be moving to pitch. Kristopher would go into short stop, Freddy in for Peter at first base with Rj going into left and JD going into center field. That would get everyone in if the game did not go more than five innings. Bryan would still get his turn at bat as well as Peter and David. Peter was first to bat and went down on three straight pitches. David faired just a little better than Peter did, fouling off the first two pitches then watched as two more pitches for two balls and two strikes. The next pitch was called strike three even though the ball bounced in front of the home plate. Blake came out to appeal the called strike, but the call stood. When Bryan stepped in; he had already witnessed the new pitcher. He was a lot more accurate than the pitcher before. So, he made himself small when he got into the batter's box. With the count of three balls and one strike the pitcher threw a wild pitch that hit Bryan on his right shoulder. He went down at home plate. Both Blake and Ben rushed to home plate to make sure Bryan was okay. Even though the boy looked in pain he went to first base. Blake did not really have anyone he could put in without risking not being able to get everyone their time in the game. Bryan hustled down to first base clutching his arm. He knew he was not going to be able to finish the Little League World Series. Something just did not feel right. Sean Marcus was up next. Like Bryan, he made himself small and just like Bryan was hit by a pitch only he got hit in the thigh. He walked it off and took his place at first base. Now with two players injured Blake wondered how this inning was going to end. Eric stepped in and watched as the first pitch went over his head, but the catcher made a great stop to keep the runners on base. The next pitch came just outside for a called strike. Blake began to wonder what game the umpire was watching. That was the second bad call in less than two innings, Eric hit the next pitch over the head of the second baseman moving the other two runner up to the next base. Kristopher next stepped up to the plate. Blake had signaled him to watch the first pitch unless it was in his zone. Kristopher was one of the few players Blake trusted. Ting Everyone watched as the ball flew over the left field fence. It was the cougars forth Grand slam in the Little League World Series only two other teams have had more Grand slams. With this being the last pool play game before the final week of play, they still had a chance of beating the record. With the score now 11 to nothing it looked like the game was in the bag. Adian was beginning to wonder if Ryo and Miki were going to make it to the game. He still had not seen or heard them from the crowd. He had heard Logan and Scott and had even picked out where John, Mary and Jake were sitting. He was happy to see that they had made it back from New York for the game. He was worried they would not make it back in time for the game. Adian stepped up to the plate and waited for the first pitch. He figured they would pitch out and walk him this inning. It really did not matter if he got a hit or not since there was not much of a chance for the Mexican little league team catching them at this point. However, the pitcher threw a strike right down the middle. It looked like the Mexican team was going to try and strike him out. Adian stepped out and looked at Blake for instructions. Blake just signaled him to swing away. Like Kristopher, Blake trusted Adian to make the right call while he was up to bat. Ting The crowd roared as the ball went over the centerfield fence. "Holy crap, dad. That must be one of the longest hit balls in Little League history." PJ said to his dad. Jack Cannon revered the ball that Adian had just hit. It could have easily cleared a major league ball field fence plus a few feet further into the stands. PJ Thorndyke Cannon became an instant fan of Adian Parks. He had to meet the young ball player. "Is there any way I could meet him?" PJ asked his dad. "I will see what I can do. He more than likely will be surrounded by the press after this game. It looks like he is one of the players to watch in the future." Jack told his son. *** The next three batters went down in order. Which would bring the Mexican team up to bat and if they do not score three runs at the bottom of the fourth the game is over. Carlos got Sean warmed up and ready. What Carlos did not realize was his cousin was the next batter up to bat. He felt bad having to call pitches that would get him to strike out, fly out or ground out. Unless Hector can connect and get a base hit. Sean went into his windup and threw a fastball right down the middle for the first strike. Sean's next pitch was a curveball that just caught the corner for strike two. Jose was starting to feel bad for his cousin. So, he knew what he was going to do next would make him feel bad if his team were to find out. He knew the pitch he was going to call would be perfect for Hector. He gave the sign for a change up. At first Sean shook it off, but when Jose gave him the sign for another curve ball, he shook that off too. Sean then gave Jose a sign telling him he was going to throw the change up. Jose smiled to himself. Sean went into his wind up and threw the change up just like Jose wanted. Hector saw the pitch and knew what he was going to do with it. He knew it was not a home run ball but at least he would be able to either get a single or a double if he hit it well enough. Just like Jose suspected, Hector swung and made good contact with the ball driving it just over Eric Hoopers at second base. JD rushed in from centerfield making a dive but just missed the ball. It rolled past him, but he was able to grab the ball to stop Hector from advancing to third. JD made the throw to Kristopher at shortstop as not to allow the runner to advance and Adian was there to back up the throw just in case the ball somehow got by Kristopher. With one runner on and the top of the Mexican batting order up to bat, Sean had some work to do. With his team cheering him on Sean stepped up and went to work. His first two pitches were called balls but the next two even the count at two balls and two strikes. The corners moved in to stop the bunt when the batter squared, but somehow Sean threw a breaking pitch that tailed down and struck the young batter out for the first out. Sean looked to Blake, and he gave Sean the thumbs up. Before the game even started Blake had pulled his pitcher to the side and talked to them about situations and what to do. The second batter for the Mexican team was well known for his bunting. So, when Sean stepped onto the pitcher's mound and saw the batter square to bunt, he threw another braking pitch that dropped for strike one. On the throwback to the pitcher from Carlos. Hector took off to third. Sean catches the ball and throws it to third base, but his throw was not in time and Hector was under the tag. With one out and a man at third Sean decided it would be better to let the hitter bunt the ball. So, the next pitch he threw was a very hittable slow ball right down the middle. The batter turned and set up for a squeeze bunt. The young Mexican boy laid a bunt down the first base line. Peter rushed the ball, as Sean went to first base to wait for the throw from Peter. Peter picked up the ball turned to check the runner at third, then made the throw to first. Sean caught the ball for the second out. Sean walked over to the pitcher's mound. He looked to Blake for a sign, Blake just shook his head and Sean smiled. He knew that Carlos would be making the calls for the next batter. Carlos called a fastball to the outside for Sean's first pitch. The Mexican batter never stood a chance of hitting it. It was called a strike after the batter took a hard cut. Carlos called the same pitch, but this time the batter caught it and popped it up into the infield. Adian called out and caught the ball for the third out, ending the fourth inning and the game. The Wilton Cougars won due to the ten-run rule. Everyone met at home plate hugging each other patting each other's shoulders. They then lined up and shook hands with the boys from the Mexican team. Then headed back towards the dugout. Standing in front of the crowd the boys gave a cheer to the crowd then thanked them for coming to the game. It was then that Adian noticed Ryo and Miki sitting in the stands with Li, Liu, and Lok, all five boys were standing up and cheering. Adian waved and pointed to the Grove and all five boys knew what Adian meant. But it would be a while before Adian or any of the other boys from the Cougar team would make it to the Grove. There was a swarm of reporters and fans waiting for them once they picked up their equipment. The boys spent the next two hours talking to reporters. Most talking about the game, but many of the reporters wanted to know about Adian and what it was like to play with him during the season and here at the Little League World Series. When the boys did finally get away from everyone, Blake wanted to have a team meeting. Next chapter 40 Olympic Champion Please donate to Nifty.