The First Pitch
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Title: The First Pitch
Author: Stephen
Series: DS9
Rating: [G]
Codes: S
Summary: Commander Benjamin Sisko gets to throw the first pitch on Bajor.
The smell drifting over the fence was similar to honeysuckle, with just a hit of popcorn drifting down from the stands. There was just a hint of charcoal mixing in, as the grills fired up for cooking the local version of hot dogs. Commander Benjamin Sisko stepped onto the field, glancing at the foul poles. Wind was towards First Base, in full Star Fleet Dress uniform. He strode to the pitcher's mound, the baseball in his hand.
The ball was used in the Last World Series. Quark had valued it at 26 thousand bricks of Gold Pressed Latium, and Sisko thought it was under valued. Yet, he had not considered using another for this honor.
It would be opening the first organized league baseball game on Bajor. He'd never have thought that the Paqu and the Navot would be the first. Actually, baseball on Bajor wasn't something he expected in general. Once America's pastime, it had been out of organized play for centuries. It was too slow for modern sensibilities, and didn't get enough viewers on the million channels that filled Earth's entertainment networks. The last World Series had just three hundred in it's announced crowd.
The crowd today was much larger. Some of it was curiosity. It was the first game. Some of it was tribally driven, given the rivalry between the Paqu and the Navot. The Tetrarch of the Paqu was hoping that friendly game would channel what had last erupted in a marketplace brawl. Some of it was due to the Paqu Dodgers Pitcher, personally. The aforementioned Tetrarch had a wicket curve, according to Jake, who'd seen the practice. Sisko thought his son was looking at other curves.
As he reached the pitcher's mound, the announcer spoke up. "Please stand for the traditional anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, as the local and planetary banners are hoisted. Singing the anthem will be the Sisters of the Jacobean Order House of Romitta."
Sisko was a bit surprised at the choice. He was sure it was a compromise, as the nation the game was in own anthem should have been played. Still, the words had meaning, even without the flag whose broad stripes and stars it had been written about. He'd seen the flag at the Smithsonian, aged, repaired, and faded. He placed his hand over his chest, and turned towards the outfield, where three poles had been erected, and watched the flags raise, the wind catching them nicely, allowing everyone to see the full glory of their colors.
The Jacobean Sisters had practiced, and even had managed a passable instrumental accompaniment on local instruments. As the flags reached the top, and the Sisters finished with "And the Home of the brave," Sisko had to admit that the patriotic song was stirring. It was better than the Federation Anthem in many ways.
"Throwing out the Ceremonial First Pitch, today, the Emissary of the Prophets and Commander of Deep Space Nine, Commander Benjamin Lafayette Sisko."
Sisko took the applause following the announcement with a simple nod, allowing them to die down before he took up the proper stance and looked at the catcher squatting at the plate. The pitch had to be good. He stepped back and threw right over the plate. The pitch impacted the catcher's glove with a puff of dust. Perfect.
Sisko smiled as he walked off the field, pausing to shake hands with the catcher, umpire, and the pitcher who was about to take her place for the game. As he found his reserved seat behind home plate and took his seat, the Umpire announced, "Play Ball!" It was time to enjoy the game.