As Lucas headed towards the field, he had his headphones in listening to his usual warm up playlist. Lucas mostly preferred the classics, Eye of the Tiger, anything AC/DC. It was part of his pregame ritual that he had since little league when he was 10. Lucky penny in his shoe, his pep-talk from his uncle written on paper and laminated on the inside of his hat. Lucas wasn't superstitious outside of the game but he just didn't feel the same if he didn't follow his normal routine while getting ready for a game.
It was a perfect day for a game. Saturday morning, sky was overcast, temperature was warm but there was a cool breeze. Lucas didn't know what to expect from the team they were playing. According to his teammates, they were a decent opponent but nothing they couldn't handle. But the problem with baseball is that it's like quicksand. Step into it once, you start sinking. The more you struggle, the deeper you sink.
"Gametime coach!" The umpire called out.
This was it. Lucas's moment. They were home team so Lucas took his place on the mound. After a few warm up pitches the umpire called the batter up. Just like every other game Lucas checked 3rd, checked 2nd, checked 1st. He looked towards Hayden, the catcher, for the call. Fast ball. Lucas looked, pulled up, wound up... Thud! "Strike!"
One down, two to go. Lucas sends one in... Crack! "Foul ball!" Called the umpire. Lucas looks towards the coach as relief washes over him. Lucas throws the third pitch and the batter swings and misses. The next two batters get up, Lucas throws them all out. He can hear the crowd cheering but now he needs to get up and try to put a hit into play.
After the pitcher from the other team warms up, Lucas steps up towards home plate. He has the same warm up that he's had for many years. He listens to the coach's instructions, puts one foot into the batter's box, digs in, hits the bat on home plate, swing the bat up and wait. Lucas has gained an instinct over the years of watching the pitcher to see what he's thinking. The pitcher winds up, throws, it's a curve to the outside. 'Not mine.' Lucas thinks.
"Ball!"
Pitcher winds up, fast ball right down the barrel, Lucas swings... Crack! Lucas takes off for 1st base as he sees the ball drop into left field. Hayden is up to bat after Lucas. Hayden hits off a line drive towards the short stop who leaps and catches it. Lucas steps off 1st towards 2nd. The pitcher is watching Lucas with his peripheral vision, but sends one to home plate. It's a wild pitch and the catcher misses. Lucas takes off for 2nd. He knew he would have to dive to get there safe. Lucas touches the plate just before the 2nd baseman catches the ball and lands his glove on Lucas's back.
"That wasn't very nice!" Lucas hears from the stands. He looks up to see who was yelling. A grin crossed his face. 'Guess she decided to come.' Lucas thought as he looked up at a distraught-looking Riley.