Page 29 of Batter Up!

“Never seen a player watch so much film and who really knows the players and opponents. You’ve got skills to back it all up, too. Your bro went first round in the draft, so we all knew he’d make it. I think you will, too.”

“I appreciate that, but don’t count out Cruz either. He’s got real God-given talent and the drive, too,” I said about my friend. “Any major league team would be lucky to have him as a starting pitcher.”

Hayden and Trent walked into the gym, and I nodded at them. Hayden climbed on the elliptical machine next to me and began his own workout while Trent went over to talk to one of the trainers.

“Oh, Stone. I have something for you in my locker. I went to that bakery and picked up some nut-free cupcakes for you.”

“Let’s go!” I said. “Thanks, bro. My brother got me some on Opening Day, but I’ve been wanting another one.”

“Cooper only had eyes for the brunette. Man, he was smitten and even asked for her number, but she said she was too busy.”

Trent and Ben had to laugh about Cooper getting shot down.

Trent then added, “You should go. The other worker is a redhead, and we all know how you love redheads.”

“I will definitely stop by. So the owner isn’t some old lady after all?”

“Nope,” Dom said. “On second thought, maybe you shouldn’t go. You’ll start to date her, and we’ll all get fat from her bakery items.”

“It’s called moderation,” Hayden replied as he turned off his machine and walked over to the free weights.

After an hour in the gym, I showered and got into my uniform. I chatted with Swick for a few minutes to see how he was feeling, and then he and I went out to the bullpen to warm up for the game together. After warmups and the National Anthem, I was ready to play.

I was behind the plate, and after a few innings, I was already getting frustrated with the umpire. He was not giving Swick the strike calls he deserved, and I knew they looked good.

“Come on, ump! Open your eyes! That was a great pitch!” a female fan's voice called from behind us. I felt a tingle go down my spine because I knew I recognized that voice. I couldn’t be sure it was her, but it sure sounded like her. I had to smile because I totally agreed with her. There was one thing about minor league fans: they were passionate.

Swick threw again, and the ump called another ball. The count was now three balls and one strike, but the batter should be out.

“Oh my god! Are you blind?!” that same feminine voice shouted, and somehow, I had no doubts that it was my Red. Thank god baseball requires wearing a cup. Without it, there wouldn't be a single person in this stadium that wouldn't be able to see exactly how I felt about her (or how my cock felt about her). We were in the middle of an inning, so I couldn't turn around to look for her. I knew I would definitely prefer to hear that voice screaming my name rather than yelling at the umpire. Swick threw the ball, and I was distracted and almost dropped it. I shook my head and had to concentrate on the game. The seventh inning stretch couldn’t happen fast enough for my cock, the cup, and my eyes wanting to get a glimpse of her.

“You need a new job!” she called out, and I had to laugh to myself. She had to be a baseball fan if she was this passionate. I loved it! If that really was my Red yelling at the umpire, I knew she was perfect for me.

Finally, the next batter popped the ball up, and Dominic was able to catch it easily at second base.

I got up from my crouch and headed towards our dugout, but I found myself peaking at the seats behind home plate. Sure enough, behind home plate sat my girl. She had on a Raptor’s t-shirt, and her hair was in two braids under a baseball cap. She was just as attractive to me now as she had been at the bar.

She wasn’t looking at me but talking to her friend. I had to find a way to get her attention. She had to remember me. I watched her for a minute, but then the hitting coach called to me to go over some stuff since I was up fifth and could possibly hit this inning.

“What were you looking at?” Hayden asked after I was done talking to the coach.

“She’s here!” I said. “Red is at the game!”

“Where?”

I pointed, and Hayden quickly peeked out of the dugout. “That must mean she’s a local if she’s here. Maybe she’ll be around after the game.”

“Too bad they don’t put our pictures on a big screen, or she’d know it’s you.” Antonio commented as he overheard our conversation. We both looked up at the plain scoreboard that only said Home and Visitor. “I think in Triple-A, they have scoreboards that are more interactive for the fans and players.”

I nodded and tried to think of a way to get her attention as I looked back up at her. “That would be nice because then she would maybe stay after the game and wait for me.”

“Maybe she’ll still wait after,” Hayden said optimistically.

“Gentleman! We’re supposed to be watching and supporting our team! Not checking out ladies in the stands,” Mack bellowed.

“We were seeing if there were any scouts,” Hayden said, thinking quickly on his feet.

“Uh-huh,” Mack said, without any bite to his words. “I don’t see any scouts near that redhead and her friends. We all know Stone has a thing for redheads.”

---