by Melody Landeros

Created on: August 28, 2011

Nine long endings in the hot sun Jerry watched the other team hit, strike out and foul balls in the championship game.  He listened as the crowd cheered and jeered homeruns and strikeouts.  With bases loaded, Jerry’s team needed to strikeout this last batter to win. 

Jerry stared across the baseball field as the ball popped up into the sky toward him.  The sun’s glare temporarily blinded him.  ‘Oh gosh,’ he panicked, ‘I can’t see the ball.  I can’t mess up now.’

He could hear the echoing taunting jeer of his father, a former professional baseball player.  “Catch the damn ball Jerry. How can I have such a klutz as a son?”

Jerry gulped, feeling Dad’s eyes on him from the crowd.  He blinked several times trying to refocus, but the glare affected his focus.  The crowd was roaring and he HAD to catch this ball.  He put his glove out and watched with satisfaction as the ball sailed into the middle and stayed.

His heart nearly leapt out of his chest.  Dad saw him catch the winning ball.   He could give the winning ball to Dad.  Maybe Dad would congratulate him. Finally Dad would treat him with respect.  His dream came true, the perfect catch.

Confidently he slowly ran from the field, ball in his glove.  He spotted his father standing in the crowd staring at him.  He stopped for a moment and stunned by the scowl.  He caught the winning ball.

Grinning proudly, he opened his glove.  Everyone stared at him wordlessly.  Confused, he scanned disapointed faces rapidly. 

He looked down and gasped. No ball.  What happened to the ball?  He stared into his glove panicked by the emptiness.  Slowly, he turned around and spotted the ball lying on the ground screaming “failure.”  For a moment he wished the ground would open and swallow him, his father’s disappointment so obvious.

Suddenly he blinked.   Incredulously he was back in the field and the ball appeared in his sight.  He reached up and caught the ball.  The crowd roared approval and his knees shook, but he had the perfect catch. 

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