1206+kg+Norman+Rockwell+Story

Sliding Into Home Plate by Kelly Goral

“We’re getting crushed!” Derek complained.

“You know we could still win this,” I said, not giving up hope. “They’re only ahead by five runs.” “If we lose, then we also lose our winning streak, and we won’t make it to the championships!” exclaimed Matt.

“Relax a bit,” said Patty calmly, “oh, and you're up, Ricky!”

“Alright,” I grunted, snapping on my helmet.

“And please don’t strike out!” teased Derek behind me.

“Thanks for the support,” I said grabbing my wooden bat. I was the first one up. Once I get up to the plate, all I have to do is keep my eye on the ball. I was up to the plate, and my hands were all sweaty while I tried to get a good grip of my bat. I looked up to see the pitcher smiling so I would get distracted. Great.

I hit the first pitch, but the ball flew backward over the backstop. The pitcher grinned and the catcher laughed, and the umpire threw the pitcher a baseball from his pocket with a slight grin on his face.

“Come on Ricky, hit a homer!” yelled Derek.

The outfielders moved in; they obviously thought I couldn’t hit. I will give them a piece of my mind. I saw the pitcher warm up for the next pitch.

“Hey, pitcher look at me! I am a monkey in a tree,” sang my team. The pitcher looked a bit furious, but glared at me. Then soon enough he sent me a quick pitch.

“Strike two!” yelled the umpire.

I have to hit this last one, I thought. I saw the pitcher getting ready to strike me out. Then the ball flew out of his hands.

Smack!

I hit it. I dropped the bat and started running to first, then second, and charged to third. One of the outfielders almost caught it, but the ball slid from his glove. Then, he threw the ball as quickly as he could to second base. The second baseman turned to throw it to the catcher. I ran as fast as I could to home plate, and slid.

I heard the catcher grunt. The ball somehow hit the back wall of the stadium. I glared at the umpire.

The umpire stated, “...Safe!”

I screamed and cried, and so did the crowd. I ran into the dugout, but no one looked at me. Not even Pat and Matt, my best friends.

I put back my bat, figuring out what else I am going to do. I felt a hand being patted on my back, I turned around, seeing Patty crying. But why? Why is he crying?

I took off my helmet.

Oomph.

I laid flat like a pancake on the ground. Then I felt like all the gravity in the world has been put on me.

“Dog pile!” screamed Derek, and everyone piled on top of me.

I never felt so loved...

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