another tight game
second extra inning
we take our ups
everybody’s standing
strike out
bunt on first
steal on a drop at home
perfect drive over second
scramble for the ball
safe at home – barely
they
get
their turn
walk
bunt
runners on first
and second
advance on a steal
infield grounder
pitcher
natural reaction turns to first
in a flash she regroups
throws it home - out
catcher on her feet
ball in the air to third
out
double play
but we still got a runner at
second
and here comes their coach
switch hitter
this girl exudes power confidence
babe ruth stuff
swing at a change up
two balls in succession
and the pitchers face
the pitchers face
says
there is nothing else
there is no other world
outside
me
this batter
and those little wiggling fingers
that tell me what to throw
and she shuffles the dirt at the mound
and she juggles the ball
at her hip
licks her lips
nods
wind up
every inch every sinew focused
swing foul away over the backstop
just a strike away
and everyone’s calling her name
and the balls at her hip again
head down shuffling dirt
and I’m thinking
she likes em high throw her a high one
and
the concentration is fierce
the air electric
wind up
change up
swing such a swing that had it
connected would be in Canada right now
and the sound
the sound of the ball hitting the mitt
at home
out
and I’m looking at the pitcher
and her face
breaks open
explodes in a smile to stop all smiles
I will never forget that smile
the smile of
accomplishment
of doing my job
just doing my job

good game ladies
damn good game