Chapter 11-Great American Pastime
(AN, on the side I was writing a story for school where the main characters name is Valenci. In Reality TV her name is Kendra Callechi after my very good friend. I just typed it in the wrong window that's all so sorry for the confusion).
"Alright it's time," Naruto said jumping out of bed.
"To get a brain," Neji said.
"No you baka it's time for baseball tryouts," Naruto said.
"Shut up," Neji ordered.
That day in school Naruto had his eye on the clock the whole time in each of his classes. He simply couldn't wait for his baseball tryouts. "Come on come on come on," he said. The bell finally went off after his ninth period science class. "Yes time to give it all I got." He ran out to his locker and grabbed his baseball gear and then went down to the locker room where he got on his gear and then went outside. Coach Ginta was already briefing the players trying out. "Ok guys," Ginta said. "You all have come here and I just want you to do your best. Some of you may not come back after today but some of you may. Now let me see some baseball." Naruto walked up to the coach. "Name," he asked.
"Naruto Uzumaki," Naruto told him.
"Position," Ginta asked.
"First base," Naruto said.
"I already got my starting first baseman in line since we won three nationals with him," Ginta said. "You play anything else?"
"Center field," Naruto said.
"Get out there," Ginta ordered. Naruto ran out to center field and the pitcher pitched one to the batter, who sent the ball back towards Naruto. Naruto caught it.
"Not bad," Ginta said. The batter hit another one and it was a grounder. Naruto charged it and threw it to first base getting the runner out.
"Nice one now lets see some hitting." Naruto walked over and put on a helmet then picked up a bat. He then walked up to the plate. He hit the first pitch over the pitchers head and got a ground rule double.
"Think I'm onto something," Ginta thought. Naruto clobbered more balls over the fence and also stole lots of bases. "Alright bring it in," he ordered. He watched Naruto walk off the field and back towards the school. "New starting center fielder Naruto Uzumaki."
The next day Naruto checked the tryout results. "Yes I made it," he said jumping up and down.
"Don't embarrass yourself now," Gaara said walking with him.
"You know I won't," Naruto said.
Two days later was their first game against the Ridgewood Flames. "Good evening fans I'm Mark."
"And I'm Hinata and welcome to another great season of baseball," Hinata said.
"Yes this is the great American pastime," Mark said. "We have a new player on the field Naruto Uzumaki and he has wowed Coach Ginta in tryouts with his superb all around skills except pitching."
"Yes Naruto is like Ty Cobb isn't he," Hinata said.
"Yes except not as mean," Mark told her. Hinata laughed and Hunnington took to the field. Ridgewood's first two batters were struck out and the second was out on a "can of corn" (infield fly ball).
Then it was Hunningtons turn. Leading off was Max West, Naruto's good friend, who got a base hit. The second batter got out, and the third got Max to second and himself on first. Naruto then came up to bat. The pitcher threw the ball and Naruto swung and missed. "Strike one," the umpire said. The pitcher pitched another one and this time Naruto hit a ground rule double, driving in Max and putting the third man on third while he went to second. The next two batters were put out at first.
In the second inning the first batter got up and hit the ball towards Naruto, which he caught. The second batter was struck out, the third walked and the fourth bunted but first baseman Bradon Durant tagged him out. Then when Hunnington came up to bat, they got a man on first but their other two batters struck out. They still led the game 1-0.
During the third inning all the Ridgewood batters were struck out in the top. In the bottom of the third, Durant got a home run and then the next batter got out at first. Max came up and he got a single and the next batter grounded out. Naruto came up and he hit one to deep right field, driving in two more runs.
The next inning Ridgewood got two batters on base and the next two struck out, then the last batter hit a home run before the one before him struck out as well. That tied the game at 3-3
The rest of the game was really all tied at 3-3. Then Ridgewood got up. Their first two batters were put out at first but the third one came up. He got two strikes and a ball but the next pitch he hit was sent deep into center field. "Naruto runs for the ball," Mark said. "He's close he's close he's…". Naruto jumped up onto the fence and put his glove out and the ball landed neatly into its pocket.
"My oh my," Hinata said. "I don't believe it a home run robbing catch for Naruto Uzumaki," she said. "The ball that could've cost them the game stopped by one of their best players tonight."
"The game isn't over yet Hinata," Mark said. Hunnington came up to bat and got two runners on first and third. The second two were out from a pop fly and a strike. Naruto then came up to bat. The first pitch came. He swung and missed. The second one came and it was high and that was called a ball. The third one came up and he swung. This time a loud crack went out.
"Sent high into deep center field," Hinata said. "It is high it is far it is," she said holding her breath. The center fielder tried to mimic Naruto's home run robbing catch but the ball was too high up. "Gone," Hinata yelled. "Gone a three run home putting Hunnington in the lead 5-3, ballgame over Hunnington wins Hunnington wins."
When Naruto got home everyone tackled him. "Man what a great game," Gaara said.
"See I told you he'd own," Sakura said. "He's the blonde ruth."
"Thanks Sakura chan," Naruto said. Hinata walked in and kissed him.
"What a game," she said.
"The way I see it I came I saw and I kicked their asses," Naruto yelled.
Close Up With Naruto
"I never expected to play the way I did tonight," Naruto said. "I'm just happy play and that I did a phenomenal job doing it."