Chapter 1: Centerfield Ballhawk
Ryan Daley was in his position in center field, waiting for the batter to take his stance. Ryan was the only starting player on the Global Community Middle School baseball team that was in the sixth grade. He considered himself extremely lucky as he got to play most of every game. The other sixth graders often rode the bench for most of their games. Ryan played diligently for the Global Community Middle School baseball team when he wasn't busy with Young Preterist Force meetings. He enjoyed playing baseball and honestly would love to keep playing it when he got into high school.
It was currently the fourth inning of their game. The games in their middle school league lasted for seven innings. The Illinois Board of Education was not willing to put in money for the funding of the middle school baseball teams until that school year.
Max Alberta was the pitcher for the Global Community Middle School baseball team. He was in the eighth grade and was the team's star pitcher. Ryan admired Max's talents and thought he was a decent player. Ryan didn't know if Max was a Preterist, but he never brought it up during the handful of times they've interacted.
Max threw a pitch straight down the middle. The batter for the River Trails middle school baseball team was in seventh grade and their worst hitter. He was a good right fielder but not so good at the plate. The batter swung and missed.
Max stuck out that batter, then allowed a single by the leadoff hitter. The next batter walked on four straight balls. Ryan watched with anticipation as the third batter approached the plate. This batter let a pitch go by, then swung at a pitch and laced the ball to center field!
Ryan called for the ball and waited for it to drop in his glove. He caught it easily and made the play. Two outs!
"Way to go, Ryan!", Raymie Steele shouted.
Ryan was glad that Raymie had came to watch most of his games. Raymie was probably spending time with the adult Preterist Force, trying to get himself involved. But Raymie still took the time out of his day to help Ryan.
Ryan watched as the cleanup hitter for the River Trails Middle School baseball team approached the plate. Ryan took a few steps back and played deep. Ryan knew this guy was a serious threat at the plate and should be watched closely. This was Gary Wygant. Ryan had seen Gary a handful of times around Mount Prospect, and he knew that Gary seemed devoted to the Global Community and their reform on spreading Christianity.
Just got to be careful around this guy, on and off the field, Ryan thought. He might look for a reason to be offended. Let's not give him that chance.
Max threw a pitch straight down the middle, and Gary swung and hit the ball to center field!
Ryan waved the right fielder away, then came under the ball. Ryan waited for the ball to enter his glove.
It did. Three outs.
Ryan smiled as the Global Community Middle School baseball team headed to the plate to start the fifth inning of their game. Neither team had scored yet, and Ryan wanted to contribute in putting some runs across the plate.
I'm coming up this inning, Ryan thought. I'm not afraid.
