Ian N.

The Perfect Hit

Crack went the bat as Kevin hit the ball way out into the left field. That must make the coach put me on the team, I thought.  I ran as fast as I could to first base . I thought I could make it to second, but then the left fielder picked up the ball and threw it to second.  I sprinted to second  and slid.  The coach called me out. . I was furious at the coach.   “I was so safe!” I screamed. Then I got so mad I threw my helmet on the ground and went to the dugout to get my hat and glove and took third base.

The coach started to hit ground balls to us. Third base was first.  I was nervous that I would miss it .Then the coach started hitting more balls.  I fielded it correctly, but I did not reach the first baseman. The coach said,  “Go again Kevin,” So I got in my position and the coach said, “ Take another one.”  I fielded it perfectly and threw it right on the money. Cameron, who was my best friend said, “ Nice job!”  .It felt good inside that someone thought I was good. Third base was first, so I had to wait until everyone was done. Ben, my best friend was playing third base too, so we got to talk while we were waiting .  When practice was over the coach said that he would give us the results tomorrow.

I was so excited to get the results when I got home from school. After dinner the phone rang. I was so excited I picked up the phone  and it was the coach.  He said, “I’m sorry, but you did not make it this time.” My face turned red and I growled.  My eyes squinted and my hands turned into fists. I threw the phone down on the ground and ran to my room.  I slammed the door and put my head under my pillow.  I started to cry.

Mom asked, “ Are you okay?“

“ No, I am not ok!”

“ Can you please open the door?”

I opened the door.  My mom hugged me and told me it was going to be alright. I went in the kitchen to finish my dinner.  After dinner I sat on the couch and watched the New York Yankees game. Mom came walking in and said, “Why don’t you tryout for another team?”

“I love that idea! I want to try out for the Giants. Cameron and Ben did not make the team either and they are going to try out for the Giants too.’’ I hoped I would make this team. I went to bed that night.  I had a dream that I would not make it,  get upset, and get embarrassed.      

I woke up,  felt good, and I knew I was going to do well today. The tryouts were at 12:30 so I had time to practice outside with my dad while my mom was making breakfast.  We were having eggs and toast.  It was so good.  I was so excited, but it was mixed with nervousness too because I had not made the Lions.

Finally, it was time for tryouts.  I got  in the car and I brought my lucky bat and glove with me.  I was thinking about if I did not make it. but I knew I would try my best and that was all that mattered.. When we got there I stepped on the field and I took a deep breath. I said hi to Tyler. I had not seen Tyler because he went on vacation and now he was back..  The coach said, “Let’s  start practice everyone.  Get your gloves.”

After practice the coach gathered us together and told us who made the team.    I was the last one to be called and the coach said I  made it.  I was feeling so great and I felt like I could do anything. Cameron, Ben, and Tyler made the team too and that felt even better.  I ran over to my car and shouted., ¨I made it!¨  My mom said that was great news. My dad said I would still need a lot of practice.  So finally the season began and we started off great.

We won our first two games.  Then we lost against the Lions.  I was so upset because that was the team I did not make. I wanted to win so bad because I wanted to show the coach that I was a good baseball player. We lost 5 - 3.  

Then we started winning again.  We were so good we went to the playoffs.  We beat everyone that we played.  We went to the championships too and of course we were playing the Lions.  I was so happy, but I was nervous too because this was my last chance to show the other coach that I was a good ball player.

Finally it was the big game.  There were lots of fans and my mom, dad, brother, and sister came.  I was nervous that I wouldn’t play well.  In the first inning they scored two runs. When we were up to bat, we only scored one run.  By the eighth inning, the score was 5-3 and we were down by 2.  We were up to bat.  Tyler hit a single into right field.  Then Ben was up and he hit another single up the middle.,  Cameron hit a double and scored in two runs. so now the score was tied.  

Now in the ninth inning the score was 7-5.  We were down by two.  It was a lot of pressure on the first four batters.  ‘Tyler went first and hit a double.  Then Ben hit a single and Tyler stopped at third.  Cameron got hit by a pitch and the bases were loaded.

Now it was my turn.  I was so nervous that I would strike out and the game would be over.  The first pitch was a ball.  The next two were strikes.  My teeth were chattering ,my knees were shaking, and my heart was pounding hard.  Then I stepped into the batter's box.  The pitcher got into his motion and he threw the pitch.  I swung the bat as hard as I could and CRACK went the bat.  The ball flew over the fence!  The game was over!  

Everybody started shouting and gathered at home plate as I was running around the bases. I could not believe I hit the ball that far and won the game.  As I  crossed home plate, everybody jumped on me.  The coach from the Lions came over and said, Nice hit.!  I should have let you join our team.”

I said, “Well, there is always next year.”