Page 66 of Clichés & Curses

I went to our college’s website to look at the baseball team’s fall exhibition games schedule. Seeing who they were battling up against that day, and then searching for the opposing team’s Facebook page.

Bingo.

They had a live stream for the game.

I took out my earphones from my backpack, and plugged them into the laptop before clicking on the stream.

I wasn’t sure which inning the game was in, but from what I could see, based on the colours of their jerseys, it was then the other university’s turn to bat. The stream was taken from a wide-angle shot, so you could see everything, which made it hard to identify who was who. But I knew that Colton played first base, so I tried my best to seek him out, based on his position on the field.

As time passed, I immersed myself in the game as the other team managed to score a point, until, finally, a third player was struck out and we were starting a new inning.

When it was time for the next player to step up to bat, I quickly checked the time on my phone and realized that my next class was starting in fifteen minutes.

That was my cue to turn off my laptop and get ready for class.

But just as I was about to exit my browser, I heard the commentator announce, ‘And up next to bat is Colton Reed.’

And there he was, stepping up to the plate.

I quickly estimated how long his turn might take, and if I could still make it to class on time after watching him bat.

‘I have time,’ I muttered to myself.

With my decision made, I gave my full attention to the game.

Once both players were prepared, it was time for Colton to bat.

The pitcher threw the first ball.

Colton didn’t swing.

But fortunately, the ball went above the striking zone.

And that’s 1-0 on the ball-to-strike count.

The ball was tossed back to the pitcher, then it was thrown the second time.

Colton swung.

He missed.

Strike one for Colton.

The ball was back into the pitcher’s glove as both players prepared one more time.

Then the third throw came, and Colton swung again.

And this time, his bat managed to hit the ball.

Perfectly positioned and timed with the throw, redirecting the ball as it flew to right field. And continued to fly over the fence. It was a home run.

‘Ahhhhhhhhhh!’ I shrieked in excitement, as Colton jogged his way around the infield.

I wasn’t aware of how loud I was being, but at the same time, I didn’t care. I was filled with joy from having to witness such a moment, and no one was going to take it away from me.

When the next batter stepped up, I quickly, but gently, shut my laptop before sprinting to my last class of the day.

I was once again in a battle with the cursor on the Word document, as I was fighting my procrastination and willing my brain would churn out words.

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