Seasons
By
1st Endeavor
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: Thank you for your reviews.
Chapter 10:
Hank was sitting on one of the team benches perusing a clipboard when Don and the others finally made it to the ball field.
He glanced up and scratched his chin as he looked them over; his eyes glistening mischievously. "Don't take this personal now but judging by how long it took you to get over here I'm sort of getting the feeling that you're not going to be much of a challenge for my team."
"Oooh," Don replied teasingly. "Those sound like fighting words to me, sheriff."
"Naw," Hank denied, grinning from ear to ear. "I just thought I'd give you a chance to forfeit the game and save yourselves a lot of pain and anguish."
"Pain and anguish, huh?" Don retorted, raising his chin defiantly. "Funny you should say that because it just so happens that I observed your little trek over here and I gotta tell you, pal that you were moving pretty slow yourself. " Hank started to reply but Don wasn't finished yet. "Then if you factor in the way Kenny has been moving this morning I'm thinking that we may be pretty evenly matched."
Slightly embarrassed, Fisher's smile slipped to a lopsided grin. "You noticed all that, huh?"
"Yep," Don smugly replied; sitting down next to him on the bench. "So, how does this work?"
Hank fished another clipboard from a large sports bag lying at his feet and passed it to the agent. "Here you go, Captain. You need to assign your players their positions and work out your batting order."
Don slid his sunglasses down and peered at the sheriff. "I'm short three players."
"Well, in a few minutes the DJ will make an announcement about the game and hopefully we'll get some people to sign up. I'm short a few players too; three of my team regulars work for the fire department and are on duty today."
"Sheriff might I inquire if you have a score keeper for today's game?" Larry asked, leaning forward with a hopeful look in his eyes.
Charlie's head whipped around in surprise. "Oh, no you…."
"Oh, but I am. " Larry said, interrupting his young friend. "I will be more useful keeping the score than I could possibly be out there on that field."
"Sorry, Professor, but our announcers usually double up as the scoreboard operators." He paused for a second as a thought occurred to him. "Normally we have two sportscasters in the booth but we were only able to find one for this game so how would you like to be our second announcer?" Hank replied before Charlie could lodge any further protests. "You do understand the game-right?" He added worriedly as an afterthought hit him.
"Oh, yes, yes, of course," Larry replied earnestly; his arms flying in all directions as he attempted to assure the sheriff of his knowledge of the game. "I have studied the physics of the baseball-bat collision and the flight of the baseball in great depth as well as doing an analysis of the physical properties of the curve ball and…"
"Ah...ok, I guess." The sheriff interrupted him with a confused glance at Don who simply shrugged and looked away. Was the agent trying to hide a grin? He hesitated a moment, noting the raised brow looks between the brothers, but in the end gave Fleinhardt the nod; Hank had already told him that he could do it anyway so he really couldn't back down now but judging from the Eppes's reaction he had a strange feeling that it was going to be a very interesting game. He cleared his throat then scribbled Larry's name on the paper. "That...ah...takes care of the sportscaster's booth."
"Now I need four players." Don grumbled as he read through the paperwork that Hank had given him. Robin, Charlie, Amita and Larry decided that sitting rather than standing might help ease their aches and pains so they sat down on the bench while Don and Hank worked out the details of the game.
"By the way, that was a brilliant maneuver, Professor Fleinhardt." Charlie commented dryly, shifting around on the bench to get more comfortable.
Larry grinned at him. "Now Charles, do I detect a note of disapproval in your voice?"
"Not at all," Charlie replied, shrugging nonchalantly." While I will admit that given my current physical condition it would certainly be more advantageous for me to be able to sit down instead of playing the game you will note that I didn't try to shirk my responsibility and get out of it."
"Well, be that as it may, I am not going to change my mind. Besides I think you're just a little miffed because I thought of it first."
Robin chuckled and nudged Amita. "Sounds like a clear cut case of envy to me."
Amita laughed then nodded her head in agreement; sliding an arm around her husband's waist she said teasingly. "Looks like you're going to have to suffer along with the rest of us."
"Don't even think about it, Chuck," Don mumbled without looking up. "There's no way that you are going to get out of playing today."
"The thought never even crossed my mind," Charlie said, ignoring the look of disbelief on Larry's face. "I'm ready to play ball and don't call me Chuck."
Suddenly David Miller's voiced boomed loudly and they all looked toward his table; listening for his announcement.
"May I have your attention please? The softball game will begin at 1:30 but both teams still need a few more players so anyone that wants to play should make their way to the field at this time. Hank Fisher will captain the Blue team and Don Eppes will be the captain of the Red team. Tee shirts and caps for the team members will be provided by the Castle Rock Athletic Co."
He held up one of the shirts to show a group of people who had stopped by his table then described how it looked. "On the left breast of each shirt there is a picture of the granite monolith with the words Castle Rock written under it. The back of the shirt says 1st Annual Thomas Hill Fair and beneath that the words Blue Team or Red Team is written depending on the color shirt that you choose. The shirts sell for only $4.00 each and the Castle Rock Athletic Co is donating $2.00 from each shirt sold to the local Big Brother's Organization. "David pointed to the athletic co table. "They have plenty of shirts available in all sizes ranging from infant to XXX and it's the perfect way for you to show your support for the team of your choice and at the same time help support the Big Brothers".
David put down the shirt then flipped a few switches on his equipment. Seconds later as the first musical notes of a song began to play he exclaimed. "Here's a song that will put us all in the right mood to play ball; John Fogerty's "Centerfield."
In groups of twos and threes people began to leisurely stroll toward the ball field; a few of them dancing and singing right along with the chorus.
Oh, put me in, Coach – I'm ready to play today;
Put me in, Coach-I'm ready to play today;
Look at me, I can be Centerfield.
"Looks like a lively bunch," Hank commented; his eyes drifting over the crowd heading their way.
Don followed his gaze; they looked promising, he certainly hoped so or they didn't have a chance of winning this game.
"Hey Don."
Six heads swiveled around as Neil Harper and another man strolled through the gates of the field; the younger man was wearing a baseball glove and tossing a ball into the air as he walked while the ranger carried a large sports bag.
"Glad to see you, Neil. I was afraid that you had changed your mind." Don commented rising to his feet as the men came to a halt beside of the bench.
"No way am I going to miss a chance to kick Hank's butt." He smirked, gracing the sheriff with a toothy grin.
"We'll just see about that," Hank retorted good-naturedly, also rising to his feet. He winked at the young man and teased the ranger. "You wouldn't be trying to bring in a ringer-would you Hank?"
"Don, this is your lucky day." Neil announced, ignoring Hank.
"How so?" The agent asked, pulling off his sunglasses and tucking them into the breast pocket of his shirt.
"Because this young man," he said, clapping the boy on the shoulder, "is an excellent pitcher. Meet my son Jeremy; he's on the baseball team at Washington State."
"I like the sound of that." Don chortled. "Welcome to the team Jeremy. How about you, Neil? Yesterday you said that you'd played baseball before-what position did you play?"
This time Jeremy slapped his Dad on the back and said proudly. "Dad is an awesome Catcher."
"I even dusted off all of my old equipment last night." The ranger said, hefting his bag to prove it.
"I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this game," Hank grumbled under his breath,
"You're right, Neil," Don said, chuckling at Hanks comment. "You have made my day." He gestured toward Charlie and the others. "Go ahead and have a seat while I put the rest of our team together." As far as Don was concerned, having those two positions filled by people who actually knew how to play the game put them on an even keel with Hank's team. He still needed three more players but as he glanced at the growing line of people signing up to play he didn't think that was going to be a problem.
A half an hour later both captains had full teams for the upcoming game. Shortly after that the players split up to have lunch with their families but the agent's team was supposed to meet up with him by 12:45. Hanks' team was scheduled to have the field for practice from 12:30 to 1:00 then Don's team would have it from 1:00 to 1:30. After that the game would begin.
Adorned in red tee shirts and baseball caps, Don's team took over the field at one o'clock as planned. An occasional ouch or ow could be heard as he put them through a few stretches then moved them around on the field to determine their positions. Don didn't have a whole lot time to decide on each player's position so after ten minutes he had to make a decision so that they could get in a few minutes of practice before the game. At 1:25 they returned to their bench to prepare for the game. As Don called out each player's position, Alan would peel off a large white number and stick it to the back of the player's shirt.
"Our pitcher is Jeremy Neil," Don said. "Put the #1 on his shirt, Dad."
Jeremy turned around so that Alan could stick the number to the back of his shirt then stepped aside as each team member received their numbers. When they were finished Don gave Alan a separate form listing each member's positions and batting order to take to the sportscaster's booth; time was growing short so Alan scurried off to deliver the form. He was out of breath by the time he reached the top step to the booth and had to take a few minutes to catch his breath before opening the door to deliver the roster.
"Ah, that's exactly what I've been waiting for." One of the announcers sitting in front of the microphone exclaimed. He was a large man in his late sixties with a broad face and short, thinning red hair.
Alan handed him the paper then did a double take when he caught sight of the second sportscaster.
"Larry, what are you doing up here?"
"Today I get to participate in a new experience," the cosmologist eagerly replied. "I'm going to assume the duties of a Sports announcer."
Alan's brows pulled together in puzzlement while he frantically searched his memory for an occasion where Larry's name and baseball had been used in the same sentence-and came up with nothing. He opened his mouth to find out how his friend intended to announce a game that he had shown no prior interest in but changed his mind and simply said. "Ah…that's good Larry."
Larry gestured at the man sitting next to him. "Alan this is Roger Bradley, a professional sports announcer."
"Retired," Roger corrected Larry as he stretched out his hand to shake Alan's.
"Roger this is Alan Eppes, father of Don and Charles Eppes."
"Nice to meet you," Alan said, shaking the man's hand. "It's easy to tell which teams you two are rooting for." He added with a chuckle, noting Larry's red shirt and Roger's blue one.
"You, as well." Larry observed.
"I had no choice," Alan chuckled. "I was afraid that I would have to walk home if wore a blue one."
"I've always said that you are a wise man, Alan.""
"I must say that I am a little surprised with the number of fans for the Red team," Roger noted with a nod toward the bleachers. "Usually the local teams will have most of the fans but it looks pretty equal out there."
A glance at the bleachers proved his point; the number of people wearing the red tee shirts seemed to equal the number of people wearing the blue ones.
"How about that?" Alan remarked, a smile lifting the corner of his mouth. "That's pretty good, huh?"
Roger nodded. "Should make for a pretty exciting game."
"Guess I better get back down there." Alan said, turning to leave.
"What job does Don have you doing?" Larry called out before Alan stepped through the doorway.
Alan turned sideways then glanced back rolling his eyes. "Water boy –what else?" Then he was out the door and on his way back to join the red team.
The two men chuckled then Roger looked over Don's roster. "Larry can you give me some personal information about each player-the fans enjoy the game more when they have a little history of the team."
"Of course," the professor replied, glancing at the paper. "But I can only tell you about these four players." He added, pointing to the names of Don, Charlie, Amita and Robin.
"That's okay. I recognize the others-their all locals".
Bradley scribbled notes beside of each player and had just finished writing when a member of Hank's team appeared in the doorway.
"We're all set, Roger. Hank says to go ahead and start the introductions." He turned to leave, calling over his shoulder as he bounded down the stairs. "Red team lost the toss so Blue team bats first."
"Lost the toss?"
"The teams toss a coin to see who will bat first." Roger answered as he adjusted his microphone."Time to get this game started." Without another word he clicked the ON button and went to work.
"Welcome to Castle Rock Field." The announcer's voice boomed loudly over the speakers bringing a hush to the crowd. "Mother Nature has certainly provided us with perfect weather for this charity game between the Red and Blue Teams so let's soak up some sun and enjoy the game. Please keep in mind that these are not professional teams so at the end of the game, whether your team wins or loses, please give them all a big round of applause." He paused to take a sip of water.
"First, the Blue Team." Roger glanced briefly at the sheriff's roster, then at the team to see if they were ready to run onto the field when he announced their names. "#16 Shortstop and Captain of the team- Sheriff Hank Fisher." Bradley paused as yells and cheers erupted from the Blue Team fans when Hank came running out onto the field. "#19 Pitcher-Deputy Kenny Baxter." Cheers and chants followed each team member as they ran out then the fans gave a final loud roar when all of the team members were standing in a line on the field.
"The Red Team." Bradley announced, checking Don's roster. "#4 Second baseman and Captain of the team-Don Eppes." Cheers erupted from the Red Team fans when Don came running out and followed every player as they appeared on the field. "#1 Pitcher-Jeremy Harper, #8 Centerfielder-Barry Travers, #2 Catcher-Neil Harper, #5 Third baseman-Charlie Eppes, #6 Shortstop-Robin Brooks, #7 Left Fielder-Jason Mackenzie, #9 Right Fielder-Amita Eppes and #3 First baseman-Mark Grayson."
After the last roar of cheers had subsided Bradley introduced the umpire. "Jake Evers, a professional umpire and resident of Castle Rock has graciously volunteered to umpire this game for us. Let's give him a big hand of thanks." When the round of applause faded everyone stood while the national anthem played. After that Don's team took their places on the field and Hank's first batter stepped up to the plate.
Roger switched off his microphone and turned to Larry. "Would you like to start the game, Professor?"
Larry's eyes lit up excitedly. "What...what do I say?"
Roger beamed. "There's only one thing to say. Just turn on your mike and yell Play Ball as loud as you can."
Larry was surprised at how excited he felt; swallowing hard he turned on his microphone then took a deep breath and yelled: PLAY BALL!
TBC