7802na+Norman+Rockwell+Story

GAME OF THE CENTURY Nigel Arul

Ever since 1st grade, Norris had always wanted to win the Lombardi Baseball Championship. Now, in the spring of 2021, Norris had a chance to win it all. Warming up before the game, he felt uncomfortable with his playing; he and his whole team couldn’t hit anything in the batting cage,or get a clean pitch. A win in this game looked very bleak.

“Come on guys, we got to get something started, or else these guys are going to hand our butts to us.” said Norris, trying to encourage his team.

“Hey, you aren’t doing any better, Norris,” replied Norris’s friend, Tedrick.

“Yeah I know, I am just trying to get us in a groove.” Norris replied pleading his case. Meanwhile, the other team, the Mustangs, were playing outstanding. Hitting every pitch and pitching perfectly.

“These guys are horrible they can’t even cooperate with each other, this win is in the bag.” Armando boasted.

When the game started, the Mustangs got a great start,getting two runs in the first inning. But, somehow, Norris and the Chicago Suns, matched the Mustangs runs and got 2 as well.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Mustangs had a comfortable 7-5 lead on the Suns. The Suns ended with a 6-7 drought at the end of the inning. “Guys, we still have a chance we just need to shut them down on the field, and we have a chance to win it all.” Norris preached

“Norris is right, the games still in reach, we are only down by one point.” Tedrick chimed in.”

“Team on three, one-two-three, TEAM!,” cheered the suns as they went on the field. They were exceptional on the field, and shut down the Mustangs and held them to 0 points. It still wasn’t over, the Suns had to score two runs to win the game.Tedrick was first to the plate; he had been struggling today, he was 1 for 4. As the first pitch came flying in and was wide on the right and was called a ball. “Great job Tedrick take the pitch if you have to.”

As the next pitch came, it looked like Tedrick was going to slam it home. And somehow, he did, and he hit a home run. “Yeah Tedrick, way to get wood on that ball, now we need only one run and we got 0 outs,” many players chanted.

“Guys, don’t get too cocky, one run isn’t very easy against any team whatsoever.” replied Norris. He was right, the next two batters that went to the plate all struck out. Next up was Norris, who had also been having was of his worst days ever, he was 0-3. Norris felt really nervous, but inside, he really felt like he could win the game.

“Norris. Norris. Norris. Norris. Norris,” the team started to chant from the dirty dugout.

When the first pitch came in, it looked wide to the left, so he didn’t swing at it. When he hurt the “spat!” sound of the ball hitting the bat, the ump called “STRIKE one!”

“What,” Norris called out to the ump, “how could that possibly be a strike, you must be blind to call that.”

“Hey, don’t talk to me like that, one more word from you and this game is over.” I was scared before he said that I would be ejected from the game, but I just virtually stapled my mouth shut. When the next pitch came in, it looked just right, like my moms apple pie; so I swung, with a CRACK! sound, I knew it was a hit.

I took off for first base like a rocket, but the catcher already had the ball, he launched it over to first base, but it was too high for the first baseman, so it went by the fence. I stepped on the back a flug myself over to second base. By the time I was there, the first baseman just got the ball, so I ran for third. I slidded and almost glided through third base, but stopped myself at the bag. I was safe.

The next batter up was Roberto, who was 1-3 on the day. As the first pitch comes, it looks way over the pitchers head, at that moment, I try to steal home. As I am sprinting through the white line that leads to home, I see the catcher get the ball, I take a dangerous head-first dive for home and make it safe.

It was the “Game Of The Century.”


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