Chapter 2: Becoming.
"If you're seeking power..."
-Tears for Fears, Power
Another Saturday in Lake Bluff.
Another game for Little League.
It was Mrs. Rathe's turn to drive Brian and Jenny to the park, but they were away this time. Not that Lake Forest was a long trip, or anything.
"I think it's good of you to keep getting Jenny to practice, Brian," Mrs. Rathe said as Brian buckled himself in.
Brian grinned, Jenny just looked grumpy. "No problem, Mrs. Rathe. I've told Jenny that she's going to get her first hit today. She's not going to prove me wrong."
Jenny sighed. "I wish I had your cheerfulness," she told him. "I almost lost our first game single-handedly."
"If I had some way of forcing you to see that you'll do better today, I'd use it," Brian told her. "I'm fresh out. Baseball is a *team* game." Jenny turned and looked out the window, listening to the so called 'Adult Contemporary' on the radio. Somehow, this included the Backstreet Boys, and not even she liked them. "Come on, Jenny. I know how well you can do if you just try. So promise me you'll try today."
Jenny flashed him a brief smile, "All right. I'll try."
"That's all I can ask for, I guess," Brian said, still grinning.
This time they were early, and Coach Williams nodded to Brian and Jenny as they jogged up to greet the team.
"I'm still getting a feel where I want you all to be, and I think you should get practice playing all positions," Coach said, and began to read off positions.
"Eighth and catcher?" asked Jenny. "Catcher? My knees are going to kill me."
Jenny looked up to see David walking over to her. "As long as you catch the ball, your knees will forgive you," he smiled, "Let's make it easier by just retiring them all by ourselves."
"Eighteen strikeouts, David?" asked Brian, who would be batting fifth and in right, "Now that's something I'd like to see."
Andrew, who normally had Jenny's position, said, "Don't let up just because she's catching you, David. If she can't handle the heat, Coach'll move her."
Jenny looked mortified, but Brian was angry. "Now look here, Andy," Brian said, hotly, "She just played her first game last week, you can't expect her to be like Corey Paterson all ready!"
"She's a girl, she's never going to be like Paterson," Andrew said, coolly. "I won't be surprised if she's collared again today."
"Caroline's the best hitter on the team," Brian countered.
"She's one of a kind," Andrew responded. "I'm not waiting for anyone to be like Carol..."
"Andrew! You're leading off, get ready!" came Coach's shout from the bench. Andrew jogged away, leaving Brian and Jenny staring at him. David just shook his head.
"He's upset because he likes to play catcher. We're a good battery," David said. "Don't worry, Jenny. You'll do fine, I'm sure."
The game began, and Andrew channeled his anger into a fierce corner double. Frank, batting second today, did his job and advanced the runner with a grounder single to right.
Time was called, and the Lake Forest coach went in to settle down his pitcher. He settled down right enough, setting down Caroline and Keith. Brian came to he place, eyes fixed on the pitcher's glove.
Brian worked the count to two and two before lining one into right field, scoring Andrew, who now wore a smile on his face. Despite the teams hopes, however, Scott hit a lazy fly ball to end the inning.
Jenny approached the plate with trepidation, flipping her cap around, and putting on the mask, crouching. David walked by, "They've staked us to the lead all ready, Jenny, time to do our side of the bargain."
David's first pitch was a common fast ball, and Jenny caught it...then it popped out. No harm done. The second pitch, a curve ball, Jenny caught that one cleanly. The third, a change-up that the opposing batter was way in front of. Jenny caught the ball, throwing it to first to record the out.
Jenny got creative with one at out in the top of the second, with the coach's blessing. After taking the first pitch, she squared around, bunting the ball down the left field line, and darted up the baseline. It wasn't hit hard down the line, but it caught the catcher flat footed, and she beat the bobbled throw for a base hit. Her side cheered, no one louder then Brian. It went for naught though, she was left stranded.
It wasn't until the bottom of the fourth that scoring was threatened by Lake Forest. Runners were at first and second with two outs, and their clean up hitter was at the bat. Jennifer was calling a solid, if not spectacular game, and David was pitching reasonably well. With a one-two count, Jenny called for a fast ball, and David served up a mistake. It got whacked into the right field, a sure single.
Brian caught it on the hop, did the right thing, firing it to second base to hold the first runner, but that other one was faster, and was trying to crank it into home. Andrew relayed the throw to Jenny, who set herself up to tag the runner.
The opposing runner was not kind, however, and tried to run right through her. Jenny wasn't set properly, and she was knocked to the ground where the ball popped out of her mitt. The umpire had no choice but to call him safe. In the ensuing chaos the runner alertly took third.
He would score, when David was singled off of again, and Lake Bluff was down by a run. Andrew made his displeasure obvious when the side was retired.
Jenny was up first at the top of the fifth inning, determined to get a real hit and atone for her mistake. She thought she had made solid contact with the first pitch, but only hit it to shallow center. Lake Bluff loaded the bases...but didn't push any across.
Top of the sixth, and Lake Bluff's last chance. Brian led the inning off. The pitch was a two-two curve-ball that hung. Brian promptly lined the ball into right again for a stand up double.
Scott flied out.
Ralph struck out.
Jenny felt like a zoo, she had both a frog in her throat and butterflies in her stomach. Taking a sip of water, she slipped the black batting helmet over her yellow ballcap.
She shuddered again, walking up to the plate.
The first ball was a fast ball strike. Jenny was too busy fighting wither her stomach to notice. She looked up again, stretching out momentarily, before crouching over the plate again. She held off on the second pitch...it was a curve...and a ball.
Again, Jenny stretched out, looking at the pitcher, and bit her lip.
At that moment, she felt a wave of nausea pass over her, and she bent over slightly. It was like an explosion was going inside of her, but only lasted a moment. She stood up straight the next moment, feeling different. It was an intoxicating feel of power, her eyes narrowed. She smiled. The pitcher was lost in his own gaze with the catcher, and he missed it, but Brian saw her, and he gave her a quick thumbs up.
The pitch was a fast-ball, straight down the middle.
CRACK!
Wooden bat met ball and the ball lost. It went flying high enough, deep enough, and the left fielder could just watch it head into the stands.
Home Run! Lake Bluff led three to two. Jenny circled the bases, amazed with herself. Brian was waiting for her as she touched home, giving her a quick embrace.
They didn't get the chance to capitalize on the pitcher's amazement. David was a great pitcher, but a lousy hitter, and he went down swinging.
Then it was time for David to shut the opposition down, but it was never that easy. Two outs, again. Runners on first and second again. They were different baserunners, but that didn't matter. It was Deja Vu all over again, to reference Yogi Berra, as the ball was hit into right field. Brian gloved it cleanly, throwing it into Andrew to hold the winning run.
Andrew fired it to Jenny, trying to get the final out.
Jenny braced herself, as this time she knew she was the target.
Again, the Lake Forest player tried to bowl her over.
This time, Jenny sat as immobile as mountain, and blocked the plate. The Lake Forest player stumbled as they collided, and the final out was recorded.
Jenny continued to sit there, a stupid grin on her face.
Brian was the first to congratulate her, both on the home run, and on the defensive play. "But don't think this gets you off. Tomorrow, we're back to practicing. You can teach me how to bunt like that."
Jenny sighed, "One day off, please?"
"All right, all right. Sunday, the heroine can rest. Monday then," he said.
Jenny smiled, "All right. Monday it is. Now come on, we have some serious celebrating to do."
Jenny may have felt like a hero then, but the true test was about come.
"If you're seeking power..."
-Tears for Fears, Power
Another Saturday in Lake Bluff.
Another game for Little League.
It was Mrs. Rathe's turn to drive Brian and Jenny to the park, but they were away this time. Not that Lake Forest was a long trip, or anything.
"I think it's good of you to keep getting Jenny to practice, Brian," Mrs. Rathe said as Brian buckled himself in.
Brian grinned, Jenny just looked grumpy. "No problem, Mrs. Rathe. I've told Jenny that she's going to get her first hit today. She's not going to prove me wrong."
Jenny sighed. "I wish I had your cheerfulness," she told him. "I almost lost our first game single-handedly."
"If I had some way of forcing you to see that you'll do better today, I'd use it," Brian told her. "I'm fresh out. Baseball is a *team* game." Jenny turned and looked out the window, listening to the so called 'Adult Contemporary' on the radio. Somehow, this included the Backstreet Boys, and not even she liked them. "Come on, Jenny. I know how well you can do if you just try. So promise me you'll try today."
Jenny flashed him a brief smile, "All right. I'll try."
"That's all I can ask for, I guess," Brian said, still grinning.
This time they were early, and Coach Williams nodded to Brian and Jenny as they jogged up to greet the team.
"I'm still getting a feel where I want you all to be, and I think you should get practice playing all positions," Coach said, and began to read off positions.
"Eighth and catcher?" asked Jenny. "Catcher? My knees are going to kill me."
Jenny looked up to see David walking over to her. "As long as you catch the ball, your knees will forgive you," he smiled, "Let's make it easier by just retiring them all by ourselves."
"Eighteen strikeouts, David?" asked Brian, who would be batting fifth and in right, "Now that's something I'd like to see."
Andrew, who normally had Jenny's position, said, "Don't let up just because she's catching you, David. If she can't handle the heat, Coach'll move her."
Jenny looked mortified, but Brian was angry. "Now look here, Andy," Brian said, hotly, "She just played her first game last week, you can't expect her to be like Corey Paterson all ready!"
"She's a girl, she's never going to be like Paterson," Andrew said, coolly. "I won't be surprised if she's collared again today."
"Caroline's the best hitter on the team," Brian countered.
"She's one of a kind," Andrew responded. "I'm not waiting for anyone to be like Carol..."
"Andrew! You're leading off, get ready!" came Coach's shout from the bench. Andrew jogged away, leaving Brian and Jenny staring at him. David just shook his head.
"He's upset because he likes to play catcher. We're a good battery," David said. "Don't worry, Jenny. You'll do fine, I'm sure."
The game began, and Andrew channeled his anger into a fierce corner double. Frank, batting second today, did his job and advanced the runner with a grounder single to right.
Time was called, and the Lake Forest coach went in to settle down his pitcher. He settled down right enough, setting down Caroline and Keith. Brian came to he place, eyes fixed on the pitcher's glove.
Brian worked the count to two and two before lining one into right field, scoring Andrew, who now wore a smile on his face. Despite the teams hopes, however, Scott hit a lazy fly ball to end the inning.
Jenny approached the plate with trepidation, flipping her cap around, and putting on the mask, crouching. David walked by, "They've staked us to the lead all ready, Jenny, time to do our side of the bargain."
David's first pitch was a common fast ball, and Jenny caught it...then it popped out. No harm done. The second pitch, a curve ball, Jenny caught that one cleanly. The third, a change-up that the opposing batter was way in front of. Jenny caught the ball, throwing it to first to record the out.
Jenny got creative with one at out in the top of the second, with the coach's blessing. After taking the first pitch, she squared around, bunting the ball down the left field line, and darted up the baseline. It wasn't hit hard down the line, but it caught the catcher flat footed, and she beat the bobbled throw for a base hit. Her side cheered, no one louder then Brian. It went for naught though, she was left stranded.
It wasn't until the bottom of the fourth that scoring was threatened by Lake Forest. Runners were at first and second with two outs, and their clean up hitter was at the bat. Jennifer was calling a solid, if not spectacular game, and David was pitching reasonably well. With a one-two count, Jenny called for a fast ball, and David served up a mistake. It got whacked into the right field, a sure single.
Brian caught it on the hop, did the right thing, firing it to second base to hold the first runner, but that other one was faster, and was trying to crank it into home. Andrew relayed the throw to Jenny, who set herself up to tag the runner.
The opposing runner was not kind, however, and tried to run right through her. Jenny wasn't set properly, and she was knocked to the ground where the ball popped out of her mitt. The umpire had no choice but to call him safe. In the ensuing chaos the runner alertly took third.
He would score, when David was singled off of again, and Lake Bluff was down by a run. Andrew made his displeasure obvious when the side was retired.
Jenny was up first at the top of the fifth inning, determined to get a real hit and atone for her mistake. She thought she had made solid contact with the first pitch, but only hit it to shallow center. Lake Bluff loaded the bases...but didn't push any across.
Top of the sixth, and Lake Bluff's last chance. Brian led the inning off. The pitch was a two-two curve-ball that hung. Brian promptly lined the ball into right again for a stand up double.
Scott flied out.
Ralph struck out.
Jenny felt like a zoo, she had both a frog in her throat and butterflies in her stomach. Taking a sip of water, she slipped the black batting helmet over her yellow ballcap.
She shuddered again, walking up to the plate.
The first ball was a fast ball strike. Jenny was too busy fighting wither her stomach to notice. She looked up again, stretching out momentarily, before crouching over the plate again. She held off on the second pitch...it was a curve...and a ball.
Again, Jenny stretched out, looking at the pitcher, and bit her lip.
At that moment, she felt a wave of nausea pass over her, and she bent over slightly. It was like an explosion was going inside of her, but only lasted a moment. She stood up straight the next moment, feeling different. It was an intoxicating feel of power, her eyes narrowed. She smiled. The pitcher was lost in his own gaze with the catcher, and he missed it, but Brian saw her, and he gave her a quick thumbs up.
The pitch was a fast-ball, straight down the middle.
CRACK!
Wooden bat met ball and the ball lost. It went flying high enough, deep enough, and the left fielder could just watch it head into the stands.
Home Run! Lake Bluff led three to two. Jenny circled the bases, amazed with herself. Brian was waiting for her as she touched home, giving her a quick embrace.
They didn't get the chance to capitalize on the pitcher's amazement. David was a great pitcher, but a lousy hitter, and he went down swinging.
Then it was time for David to shut the opposition down, but it was never that easy. Two outs, again. Runners on first and second again. They were different baserunners, but that didn't matter. It was Deja Vu all over again, to reference Yogi Berra, as the ball was hit into right field. Brian gloved it cleanly, throwing it into Andrew to hold the winning run.
Andrew fired it to Jenny, trying to get the final out.
Jenny braced herself, as this time she knew she was the target.
Again, the Lake Forest player tried to bowl her over.
This time, Jenny sat as immobile as mountain, and blocked the plate. The Lake Forest player stumbled as they collided, and the final out was recorded.
Jenny continued to sit there, a stupid grin on her face.
Brian was the first to congratulate her, both on the home run, and on the defensive play. "But don't think this gets you off. Tomorrow, we're back to practicing. You can teach me how to bunt like that."
Jenny sighed, "One day off, please?"
"All right, all right. Sunday, the heroine can rest. Monday then," he said.
Jenny smiled, "All right. Monday it is. Now come on, we have some serious celebrating to do."
Jenny may have felt like a hero then, but the true test was about come.