![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
The Natural
Apr. 14th, 2007 06:34 pmExcitement was high on the Knight Park baseball field this sunny, Saturday morning. The game had been full of all the ups and downs that make baseball such an occasionally exciting sport, and anything could happen.
It was the bottom of the last inning. Collingswood United was at bat. The score was tied, 6 to 6. Bases were loaded and there were two outs when number 12, Charlie, is up to bat.
His team was cheering him on as he approached the plate. He taps home, shoulders his bat, and waits for the pitch. He swings...
and misses.
"Strike one." calls the umpire.
The next pitch comes across the plate.
"Strike two!"
Tension is high. Two outs, bases loaded, two strikes against the batter. It all comes down to the final pitch. Can he do it? Can Charlie lead his team to victory? His teammates seem to think so and continue to cheer, shouting encouragment. This is the moment where legends are born.
Charlie's mother can barely watch, and is peering through her fingers, but Charlie is unafraid, his stance steady as the pitcher winds up and sends the ball flying. Everything seems to slow down as the ball approaches the plate and then we hear it...
WHAP!
The ball smacks Charlie squarely on the helmet.
After ascertaining he is unharmed, Charlie is walked to first, bringing the runner in from third, ending the game at 7 to 6, United.
The crowd goes wild.
It was the bottom of the last inning. Collingswood United was at bat. The score was tied, 6 to 6. Bases were loaded and there were two outs when number 12, Charlie, is up to bat.
His team was cheering him on as he approached the plate. He taps home, shoulders his bat, and waits for the pitch. He swings...
and misses.
"Strike one." calls the umpire.
The next pitch comes across the plate.
"Strike two!"
Tension is high. Two outs, bases loaded, two strikes against the batter. It all comes down to the final pitch. Can he do it? Can Charlie lead his team to victory? His teammates seem to think so and continue to cheer, shouting encouragment. This is the moment where legends are born.
Charlie's mother can barely watch, and is peering through her fingers, but Charlie is unafraid, his stance steady as the pitcher winds up and sends the ball flying. Everything seems to slow down as the ball approaches the plate and then we hear it...
WHAP!
The ball smacks Charlie squarely on the helmet.
After ascertaining he is unharmed, Charlie is walked to first, bringing the runner in from third, ending the game at 7 to 6, United.
The crowd goes wild.
