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Only the start
The wind was a brisk cool breeze on that October day. The leafs had changed from the bright green to the bright yellows, reds, and the dull brown. Falling and blowing in the wind all around him. It would of been a beautiful day for anyone but him. At his feet laid the tombstone that read his dead beloved wife's name. Today was their 10th anniversary and also was a year since she had passed away. Just standing there by himself the crushing weight that he had been holding back, finally hitting him, a single tear falling down his cheek and before he could wipe it away it was like a river had let lose. He hadn't cried since the day he had to bury her and with all the emotion held so tightly back was finally being released. Moments went by, turning into hours. Finally he said his silent goodbyes And turned around and began his slow stumbled walk up the hill back leaning on his cane for support.
It was a hot balmy saturday night in the back hills of Tennessee and the whole town was at the baseball field. The state tournament was being held and it was against their biggest rivals. Both teams had outstanding players going to division one schools and even had two kids going to the pros. One happened to be the the pitcher for the hometown. His name was John Cummings. He was a towering right hander, standing 6'3, 225 pounds. His fastball had been clocking 98 mph all night and had on off speed pitch that was untouchable. Both teams were locked in a pitchers dual only allowing three hits per team.
It was the top of the ninth inning with a score still tied at zero, the visitors had one out and a man on first base. There best hitter was coming to the plate. A tall lefty who had been drafted by the LA dodgers in the third round.
John knew that this was the hitter that he had to get out, he had been his biggest threat all night. Not knowing when a single pitch could go screaming of the outfield fence. As the batter dug in the batters box. John dug his right foot deep into the rubber, peering down to the catcher to get the sign.
The ball gripped tightly in his right hand. With a slight nod, acknowledging the sign he came up to his position pausing and taking a slight glance over at the man on first. He knew he had to focus on the batter, but he couldn't let the leading run get into scoring position. The pressure was all on John.
With the man creeping farther and farther off first base. John knew he was going to steal. He saw him take a step further and that's when John made his move. Bringing his right heal up all in one motion spinning his body and firing the ball over to first base. It couldn't of been a better throw. The runner tried diving back but the first baseman had laid down a perfect sweeping tag that left no doubt in the crowds mind that he was out.
Everyone silent as the umpire signaled and almost yelling OUT!
Cheers from from the home town, boos coming from upset parents and fans from the visitors.
Now that the home team had two outs, John could relax a little bit more but his biggest challenge was still facing him at the plate. Gathering himself. He dug back into the rubber. Getting the sign from the catcher. He came set and delivered a mind blowing 100 mph fastball on the low outside corner for strike one. The batter seemed to be unfazed by the speed of the pitch. As if he had grown more confidence knowing he was going up against John who had been the number four draft pick by the cardinals.
He tighten his batting gloves and dug in.
John was getting his sign from the catcher again and nodded.
He whipped a slider and as everyone held there breath the crack of the bat exploded. Everyone standing there in silence as they watched the ball traveling down the right field foul line. It was as if it was dancing along the line.
No one knew if it would stay far and undoubtably be a home run or it would travel foul and the last minute and be a really long strike.
With seconds to spare and inches the ball pasted the foul pole foul.
With a deep release of John breath, he began to breath again.
Taking his hat off and wiping the sweat off his forehead.
The batter was pissed. He had just missed a home run and taking the lead by only inches.
Now the moment was on the line. Both John and the batter focusing as hard as the can to overcome one another.
John receiving his sign gathered himself and let out a deep breath.
The crowd was silent. Both teams were standing in the dugouts watching with fingers crossed.
John released the pitch another fastball. This time located on the inside batter of the plate. The batter froze. As the ball hit the catchers glove with a loud smack. Without a doubt the umpire made his call, strike three!
The crowd went nuts as if they had just one. John just smiled and jogged off the field to the dugout met by his teammates who were pumped up giving him high fives and cheers.
Bottom of the ninth, still tied at zero.the game was on the line to be decided right now. As the coach brought the guys together and told them to dig down deep and give it all them have now and not leave anything left.
The first batter hit a first pitch double into the left field gap. Now they had the winning running in scoring position.
The next batter laid down a bunt down the third base line advancing the runner to third. He busted his ass off the field and was congratulated by his teammates for getting the job done.
It was Johns turn at bat. The pressure was on. The infield was in the outfield was playing shallow and all John had to do was put the bat on the ball. John was an average hitter but loved to have the spot light on him and with the moment caring from his outstanding pitching performance. He was beaming with confidence. He stepped into the box and stared the pitcher down.
The pitcher fired the first pitch in a high inside fastball that struck John in the side of the head. John's body falling limp like a rag doll. He collapsed to the ground. The ball had glanced the side of the helmet and hit John in the temple knocking him unconscious.
With his coach running from the dugout. The trainer on his heals. Rushing to John's side. John's dad Blake came rushing on the field cell phone in hand calling an ambulance. John was taken from the field to the hospital.
John woke up hours later with a pounding headache, a bandage wrapping his head and covering his left eye. As he opened his right eye he saw a large trophy at the foot of his bed. His dad was sitting in the corner next to his mom Elizabeth. John's girlfriend Katie Thomas was sitting by his side. Her make up was smudged and running down her face from crying.
John was the first to speak, asking what had happened.
Blake said, son you got hit in the side of the face by a pitch. It knocked you out and broke your eye socket.
John was motionless and the next words he said stunned them all.
How did we win?
Blake laughed and said son, we won because you pitched an outstanding game. After you were taken to the hospital. The pitcher was injected from the game for hitting you. The next guy who came in threw one pitch and Alex hit a three run home run over the score board. The whole team has been sitting in the waiting room waiting for you to wake up.
John just smiled and asked for them to come in.
As the team smashed into the tiny room. The head coach standing at the foot of the bed was the first to speak.
Saying how thankful that John is okay and wishing for speed recovery. Saying that they could not of won that game without him.
Each player standing there speechless as there captain laid in the hospital bed.
John simply replied, No coach I could not have done it by myself. And I didn't win the game. We did it as a team. The tiny room erupted in a big cheer. They all put there hands in over John's bed for one last call.
John lead it, 1...2...3... Go Lighting. A huge accomplishment for the tiny school of 700 students.
With goodbyes and get well soon exchanged between John and all the players the room was finally empty. Only John's parents and Katie remained in the room. The doctor came in the room with a nurse and said that John was okay to go home for the evening and that he would want to see John in a week after school was over to check on his eye.
