It was the bottom of the ninth and Yuri's team was only one run away from tying with the visiting team with two outs. Wolfram had successfully made it to first base on his last hit. It had looked as though it would run foul but the air swept it back in bounds and before the ball was thrown and caught in the second baseman's glove, Wolfram stood proudly on first.

Now it was up to Yuri to bring him home and keep them in the game.

His helmet felt a little snug but he tried to not let it distract him. He swung the bat experimentally, getting a feel for the heavy steel in his grip and positioned himself for the incoming pitches.

The sun was out, making him squint to see the pitcher. Over all though, it was a perfect day for a baseball game. Not a cloud in sight, though presently he would have wished for some coverage to clear his vision. Still, there was no threat of rain and so long as he hit hard and straight, there was no reason why they couldn't win the game.

Conrad stood behind the catcher, his eyes set on the strike zone. It seemed odd to Yuri that his friend would be playing umpire, but of those playing, besides Yuri, he did have the best knowledge of the rules of the game.

Yuri eyed the pitcher, watching the silent conversation he had with his catcher, wondering what pitch they were deciding on as anticipation and excitement mounted inside him. He saw the ball release and could hear the scuffle of cleats on the dirt. He stepped forward and put all he had into his swing.

The ball curved at the last minute and sailed into the catcher's mitt.

"Strike one!"

Yuri stood frozen. Somehow, he hadn't expected it to do that. He corrected his stance and looked out at the field, glad to see Wolfram had at least managed to steal second on that pitch. He stared down the pitcher again, ready and waiting to send the ball right over his head.

The pitcher threw the ball, Yuri swung, and not only did the ball curve, it did a loop de loop in the air, sailing above, below and around the bat as Yuri's swing connected with nothing.

"Strike two!" Conrad's voice called out.

Yuri had never seen a pitch like that. All at once, it seemed as though he as way out of his league. How was he supposed to hit something like that?

"Come on, Yuri! Just hit the ball!"

Yuri looked up at third base to see Wolfram had again managed to make it. Indeed, all he needed was for Yuri to hit the ball. It was the only base he wouldn't be able to steal. It was up to Yuri to make sure he made it home.

If he struck out though, it would have all been for nothing. He couldn't miss this ball. But the pitches were so difficult, like none he'd ever dealt with before. Chances were, he'd just swing and miss again. Yuri couldn't let Wolfram and the team down like that.

"Strike three! You're out!"

Yuri blinked then stared behind him at the catcher and the ball in his glove. He hadn't been paying attention, hadn't even seen the pitch sail past, hadn't been ready to hit it. And there it was, sitting at home plate where Wolfram should have been running while Yuri's bat still hung loosely in his hands with its top in the dirt.

He looked over at third, but there was no one there. He looked to the dug out, but the team seemed to be missing one blonde haired prince.

Yuri watched the umpire walk away, going to the where the rest of the team sulked at their loss. "Conrad?" he called out.

Conrad did not acknowledge him.

Yuri fell, sitting hard at home base with the bat out in front of him.

He'd blown it.