Playing Central
In the 15/16 age group all-star tournament
who would've thought
a 14 year old
would be the person
to get a pinch-hit.
In a momentum changing moment.
Against someone who
had been untouchable all game.
Starting a rally,
erasing a 12-5 deficit
bringing the score to 12-11.

It was just past midnight.
The foul lines were starting to fade,
the grass was shimmering with
morning dew.
The field was lit up with luminous lights,
from lofty light poles.
The crowd came to life,
hollering and howling
at players and umpires.
With the winning and tying runs
on second and third,
with two outs,
the best hitter waited at the plate
in a 2-2 count.

When the pitcher balked,
throwing the ball to shortstop.
This balk should have brung in the tying run
but the umpire didn’t
know the rule.
People screamed, scolding
the umpire.
Nothing changed.
The batter
struck out.
The runner
got stranded at third.
And the game was over.

However, we got our
revenge.
We beat them later,
in the
Championship.