Baseball
Baseball
Baseball
Page 1
Under the bright lights of Oakridge Park, the hum of the crowd filled the night
air as the Oakridge Falcons prepared for the most important game of their
season. It wasn’t just any game—it was the state championship, and the
stakes couldn’t be higher. For 16-year-old Alex Martinez, this wasn’t just a
game; it was the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and dreams.
Alex stood on the pitcher’s mound, gripping the ball tightly. The familiar
leather felt like an extension of himself, a tool he’d perfected since he was a
kid. But tonight, the pressure was different. The opposing team, the Granite
City Wolves, had an undefeated record and a lineup of powerhouse hitters.
And in the stands, Alex’s father, who had never seen him play before, sat
watching intently.
Page 2
Alex took a deep breath, looking toward his catcher, Jake, who signaled a
curveball. It was a risky pitch, but Alex trusted Jake. He wound up and
released the ball, his fingers snapping off the seam. The pitch arced
beautifully, diving sharply at the last second. The batter swung and missed.
Strike three.
Page 3
In the dugout, Coach Taylor pulled Alex aside. “You’re doing great out there,”
he said, his gruff voice steady. “But Marcus is up next inning. Stick to your
game plan, and don’t let him get in your head.”
Alex nodded, but his heart raced. Marcus wasn’t just any player. He was the
kind of hitter who made pitchers second-guess themselves. As Alex prepared
to head back to the mound, he thought about his father. Would he be proud
of him, no matter the outcome?
Page 4
The inning began with a double play, and the Wolves were down to their final
out. But Marcus stepped up to the plate, his bat glinting under the stadium
lights. The crowd fell silent, the tension palpable. Alex’s fingers trembled as
he gripped the ball, feeling the weight of the moment.
Jake signaled for a fastball. Alex nodded, wound up, and threw. The ball
sailed straight and true, but Marcus didn’t flinch. With a thunderous crack, he
sent the ball soaring into the outfield. The crowd held its breath as the center
fielder sprinted toward the wall.
Page 5
The ball hit the top of the fence and ricocheted back into play. Marcus was
already rounding second base, his legs pumping like pistons. The outfielders
scrambled, but the relay throw was late. Marcus slid into home, tying the
game. The Wolves’ dugout erupted in cheers, and Alex felt a pang of
frustration.
“Shake it off,” Jake said, patting Alex on the back. “We’ve got this.”
As Alex walked back to the dugout, he glanced at his father. To his surprise,
his dad gave him a thumbs-up, mouthing the words, “You’re doing great.”
Page 6
The bottom of the ninth inning began with the Falcons at bat. The crowd was
electric, chanting and clapping as the first batter stepped up. A base hit put
a runner on first, and a sacrifice bunt moved him to second. With two outs, it
was Alex’s turn to bat.
Alex wasn’t known for his hitting, but he wasn’t about to back down. He
grabbed his bat and stepped into the box, staring down the Wolves’ pitcher.
The first pitch was a fastball, high and outside. Ball one. The next pitch was a
curveball, and Alex swung, connecting solidly.
Page 7
The ball shot into the gap between left and center field, rolling to the wall.
The crowd roared as Alex sprinted toward first. The runner on second took
off, rounding third and heading home. The throw to the plate was close, but
the umpire spread his arms wide. “Safe!”
The Falcons had won. Alex stood on second base, his teammates charging
onto the field to celebrate. The stadium erupted in cheers, and Alex felt a
wave of relief and joy wash over him.
Page 8
As the team celebrated, Alex’s father made his way down to the field. Alex
wasn’t sure what to expect, but when his dad pulled him into a tight hug, all
his doubts melted away. “I’m proud of you, son,” his father said, his voice
thick with emotion.
Alex smiled, feeling a lump in his throat. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”
Page 9
Later that night, the team gathered at a local diner to celebrate their victory.
Laughter and cheers filled the air as they recounted the highlights of the
game. For Alex, the moment felt surreal. He had faced his fears, proven
himself on the field, and reconnected with his father.
As the night wore on, Alex found himself staring at the championship trophy.
It wasn’t just a symbol of their victory—it was a reminder of the journey, the
struggles, and the people who had supported him along the way.
Page 10
The next day, Alex returned to Oakridge Park, standing on the pitcher’s
mound once more. The field was empty, the stands quiet. He held the
baseball in his hand, thinking about the future. There would be more games,
more challenges, and more curveballs life would throw his way. But for now,
he was ready to face them all.
With a smile, Alex wound up and threw the ball, watching it sail through the
crisp morning air.