Page 17 of Love in the Outfield

“You weren’t too shabby yourself, King.”

He smiles broadly. “Don’t ya know it, man. Just got to beware of Rodriques’ slider. He’s pitching high nineties.” Carlos is amazing. Total respect. He’s from the Dominican Republic and a year ago couldn’t speak English and now he’s doing interviewswithout his interpreter. He’s a rising star and a great teammate. Brings a lot of energy to our team.

“I heard your interview with Jim earlier. You nailed it. Gave me all the feels,” I say, for a laugh.

“You’re just jealous, yeah?” he replies.

“Maybe. Hard to shine around a bottle rocket like you.”

“Bro, get outta here,” he laughs. “Coach wants to talk strategy in five.” He saunters out toward the meeting room. The room has cleared so I hurriedly pull on my muscle shirt and kicks and scramble to the pre-game meeting to talk strategy.

My mom and dad, along with Quinn and his family, are in the stands seated right behind the dugout. My niece and nephew jump up and down cheering me on when I’m up to bat. What a thrill to play in the major leagues for the team I grew up rooting for with my family in the stands. They had a chance to sit in the sky box, but opted out, preferring to experience the excitement of the stadium crowd.

It’s the ninth inning. Bases are loaded with two outs and I’m on deck taking a few practice swings. We’re a run behind. The crowd is buzzing with excitement. The rally signs are flashing “Make Noise” and the roar in the stadium is deafening. Carlos just fouled off a ball and it’s a full count, three balls, two strikes. He fouls off again and I feel amped. He’s fouled off five pitches. He’s due. The fans start a wave that moves around the entire stadium. Carlos takes another swing at a fastball right over the plate, and the crowd goes bonkers as the ball sails over the head of the shortstop for a base hit and an RBI. We just tied the game in the ninth inning. I put my helmet on and walk up to the plate. I’m facing a tough closing pitcher and the game win restsall on me. I take a couple of deep breaths and tap my necklace. Superstition is a way of life in baseball. Georgia flashes through my mind for a brief second…this one is for you, Gigi.

Chadwick pitches a hundred-mile-per-hour fastball and I swing and miss.Strike one!Stepping away from the plate, I adjust my batting gloves, the snitch of the Velcro a familiar grounding sound, then step back up. I take a deep steadying breath. I’m in the zone. It’s a battle between Chadwick and me. I zero in and wait, the pitch comes, it’s in my sweet spot and I swing.Crack. The sound of the ball against the bat rings out and sweet Jesus I know it’s a grand slam. Out of the park!

Fireworks shoot up and fill the night sky then tumble down in a colorful cascade as I round the bases. The fans are on their feet giving me a standing ovation as they cheer me on in a deafening roar. A freaking walk-off! I glance at my teammates in the dugout their faces lit with euphoria and disbelief as they jump up and down doing body slams and high fives. This is a moment I’ve dreamed of, something I’ve played countless times in my mind. I feel like I’m floating as I reach home plate and raise my arms in triumph soaking in the electric atmosphere.

My teammates who’ve just scored are waiting for me at home plate. Carlos picks me up from behind in a bone-breaking squeeze then sets me down as the team forms a handshake line. We give each other high fives, hugs and butt slaps to celebrate our win before we head through the tunnel to the clubhouse.

Before I can take off, our manager, Bill McQuire, motions to me and I trot over. “Jim wants a quick interview on the field before you head to the clubhouse,” he says.

“Hope I can form a coherent sentence. I’m higher than a kite.”

Bill laughs. “Welcome to the Cutters, Kid. Great job tonight in the outfield and at bat. You made some great defensive plays.”

Cameras are rolling as Jim, the local sportscaster, holds the mic and interviews me. “How’s it feel to hit your first major league grand slam with a new team and in only your second appearance?”

I can’t wipe the ear-to-ear grin off my face. I’m stoked. “Unbelievable. I mean anything I can do for the team to bring us wins. Playing here, for the Cutters, the team I’ve idolized my whole life, it’s a dream come true. This is a great group of guys and I love being back home and playing here.”

“I had a brief interview with your parents during the game, they are understandably thrilled. What does their support mean to you?”

“It means everything. My family has been behind me supporting me through everything. All my ups and downs, they’ve always believed in me.”

“Tell us what was going through your mind with bases loaded and a tie game, bottom of the ninth?”

“I had watched Carlos battle it out so I was kind of waiting for a fastball pitch over the plate and I got the pitch I was hoping for. What can I say?” I shrug and grin.

Jim glances behind me and steps back so I have an inkling of what’s to come. I turn around right as Dean and Max dump a bucket of ice water over my head. I sputter and laugh then squeegee my hair back.

“Dang that’s cold.” Everyone is laughing as my chicken-ass teammates run off the field and into the dugout.

“I’ll let you get back to your celebration. Congratulations on your big win tonight.”

“Thank you, Jim.” I trot back to the dugout, through the tunnel and enter the clubhouse ready for a celebration.

Ahalf hour later I’m showered and mingling in the clubhouse with my family.

“I can’t believe you hit a grand slam! Home run game one, and now this!” Quinn says. “I am so frickin’ proud of you!” He hauls me into a big bear hug.

My nephew tugs on my shirt. “Uncle Cade, it was so loud when you hit it outta the park I had to cover my ears.”

“That’s half the fun of it, Grayson,” I say, ruffling his hair.

My mom dabs at her eyes. “I’m so incredibly proud of you Cade. All the sacrifices and hard work have finally paid off. It was a moment I’ll never forget.”

“It’s just beginning to sink in,” I say, then pick Mom up in a hug and swing her around. “What’s this I hear… you’re giving interviews now?” I tease.

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