Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:37:13 -0800 (PST) From: T H <ref_sport@yahoo.com> Subject: SUMMER BASEBALL (TOURNEY 3, PART 5) SUMMER BASEBALL (TOURNEY 3, PART 5) ------------------------------------------------------------ STEVEN ----------- The first night's games go well. The teams were anxious to play and they in fact played well. The weather cooperated, and it seemed a pleasant evening for all. Mark and Andy toured around with me as we had planned. Then Mark was able to slip back to see his man work. Andy stayed with me as we made the rounds. He said he liked the hotel and of course the pool and arcade. He was comfortable being with me what with Mark now gone. We watched the games and we watched the umpires do their thing. I of course watched the players. I noticed Andy was too. Each site where we play has a site director, or SD. He or she are adult volunteers who do a number of things. They arrive early to ensure the gates are open. They make sure souvenirs are available and that the concessions stands are open for business. They welcome the teams and umpires as they arrive. They help in the press box with announcing or scorekeeping. They also phone in the final score and game recap to tournament central. They are the last to leave, ensuring the grounds are prepared for the next games. They stay in the vicinity of the umpires until they leave. Then they lock up. It makes for a long day. Once the umpires arrive onsite, they call me. One less worry Pete or I would have. One of the SD's called me as game time approached Saturday morning. Steven had not arrived. Steven was very reliable. In fact he often came to games even when not scheduled to work. Joel was available to work. I asked him to go and be ready in case Steven was late or a no-show. I called the SD and told him Joel was on his way. No answer to Steven's cell when I called him. Pete had given me some scanty background information. Shaky home life at best. Rode his bike to work his games. He had told Pete he's gay. His family does not understand or appreciate his sexual orientation. I feared the worst. Maybe a traffic accident and his people didn't know how to contact us. I called Pete to ask him what I should do. We Blues stick up for each other. We take pride in being where we should be, on time, and are very pleased when our games go well. "Boss, Steven's a no-show this morning. I'm worried." "Did you try calling him?" "Yes. No answer on his cell or at home. BTW, Joel's on his way as standby." "Tom, I want you to call Kevin at EMS. He was one of my foster kids who now has his own family. Tell Kevin these 2 words...Plan Zebra. He'll know what to do. His contact of course will be you." "Plan Zebra?", I asked as I prepared to dial Kevin. "It's search and rescue, Tom. I guarantee you, that before you say goodbye, his posse will be rolling." ***************** "EMS. This is Kevin. Can I help you?" "Kevin, this is Tom. I'm helping your Dad with the tournament this weekend. He's sounding and looking really good, BTW. I need your help. Plan Zebra." A moment's silence, then a shrill whistle to settle the background noise. Kevin comes back on. "Who are we looking for, Tom?" "Umpire named Steven. Age 16, mulatto, and one of your dad's future stars." I gave him his home address and indicated which diamond he was to work. "Kevin, contact me ASAP, please. I'll keep your dad informed." "We're rolling. I'll keep you posted." Within 5 minutes, an EMS vehicle and 3 police cars started their search. One cruiser went to Steven's home and was going to work towards the ballpark. The 2nd cruiser started at the ballpark and worked back towards Steven's home. Kevin and the 3rd cruiser started about half way in between and took alternate streets. Within 15 minutes, they found Steven wandering around disoriented and obviously badly beaten. His bike was wrecked. His umpire gear was missing, as were his wallet and cell phone. He had facial cuts and some very ugly bruises marred his face, arms, and legs. He was shivering and it was obvious he had been outside overnight. They stabilized him and placed a blanket around him. Kevin called me. "We found your umpire. He is not in good shape. We're taking him to the hospital as we speak." Oh God in heaven, why? A good kid with absolutely no parental support and a miserable home life doing good things with his life. I called Mark. He was making eyes at his lover. "Mark, time to go to work. I'd like you to run to the hospital. We have an umpire who probably has been mugged. His name is Steven. Go and assist in any way you can. Go to ER. Look for an EMS named Kevin. Andy can stay with me. Call me when you have any news." "I'm leaving now, Tom." **************** A short time later, Mark called. In the interim, I had visited or called all the SD's ensuring the games were going well. "Tom, good news and bad news. Bad news is that he's in ICU for tests and observation. Many bruises and cuts. The hospital can't seem to raise his family. He was dehydrated and appears not to have eaten for quite some time. And they want to do a rape test." "The good news is that he's alive and alert. There were 10 other people in ER when he came in, and he got taken care of right away. I did meet Kevin, and he was going up to see his dad." "Thanks, Mark. Please stay there til I can get away. Andy will come along. The games are going well. I want to let the SD's know I'll be gone awhile. Hope to be there within the hour." ******************* "Andy, let's go to the hospital." We got there and immediately went to ER. We met Mark there. Steven is stable, they've hydrated him and pumped him full of antibiotics. There appear to be no broken bones or injuries more serious than the cuts and bruises. Urine and blood samples were ok. Xrays were not back yet. Mark could return to Joel's game. We asked Andy if he wanted to stay or go with Mark. He chose to stay. I took Andy to say hello to Pete. Kevin had been there but was now gone. I told Pete what I knew about Steven's condition. I told him about the hospital wanting to do a rape test. Pete closed his eyes and tears started to appear. "The games going well?" "Yeah, boss. Joel's filling in for Steven. The other SD's report things are going smoothly." "Please call Bulldog now, Tom. Advise her of Steven's situation and where you are. Do not EVER make her worry about where you are. Ask her to talk with Ray, the committee's finance guy." It dawned on me as I dialed Margie that Steven would have no way to pay for his hospital stay. Bulldog told me to say no more and that she would call me back in a few minutes. Before Andy and I came up to see Pete, I told ICU staff where we would be. Now I asked Andy to run to ICU to see if there were any developments. Just as Andy reached ICU, they were wheeling Steven to a regular room! Andy told the doctor who he was, and where Pete and I were. The doctor said as soon as Steven was situated, he would come up to see us. Andy took Steven's hand and said, "Hang in there dude. Pete and Tom are here and we're all praying for you. " The rascal managed to stay out of everyone's way and yet maintain holding hands with Steven. When Steven got to his room, Andy came back to Pete's room. Bulldog had started doing her usual magic tricks in the meantime, talking with Ray, and advising the rest of the committee. And calling a private detective. She reported ball games finished at some sites and there were no difficulties. Mark then called to say they were just starting the 6th inning and that things were AOK there. The doctor came to see us. To his knowledge, the hospital still could not get ahold of Steven's family. He reported all tests done so far are good. They want to keep Steven overnight for observation and to run a few more tests. Not being his family, he hesitated to say anything about the possibility of Steven being raped. Andy asked, "Can we go see Steven now?" "Let me go 1st and talk with the nurses. Someone will let you know." Andy and I went to the cafeteria. I was hungry and he looked like he could eat everything they had. Besides, Pete wanted to rest a little. And the evil nurses probably had a needle or 5 to poke his butt with. Mark called to say their games were done and they were about to leave. They asked if they could come see Steven. I suggested we meet here in the cafeteria and then go upstairs. "And guys, you want anything to eat? Tell me now coz the human eating machine has started." When Mark and Joel arrived, we all went to see Pete. We have been cleared to go see Steven. I looked at Pete. There was genuine concern on his face. There was a smouldering fire in his eyes. We slipped into Steven's room by two's so that he wouldn't be overwhelmed. Mark and Joel went 1st and chatted about baseball and umpiring. Then Andy led our way in. I saw a beautiful boy badly smashed up. But the smile and sparkling eyes I remembered from 2 weeks ago had returned to his face. I told him we would keep him posted on the games and that several Blues would come to visit. I told him Pete's here for him. That I'm here for him. Margie continued performing magic. All of Steven's hospital and recovery costs, present and future, including any psychological testing, will be paid for by one of the corporate sponsors. This sponsor made it very clear no corners were to be cut in any of Steven's treatment. She had also called an attorney to discuss our authority to provide for any of his care. Flowers started arriving in Steven's room while Andy and I were still there. Courtesy of another corporate sponsor. The committee approved paying Steven for all the games he is missing. And the private dick has been busy. His business was for Pete and the committee. I preferred not to know. And the victim being only 16 motivated a few police investigators to abruptly re-prioritize their case loads. Andy did not want to leave Steven's side, nor did Steven want him to leave. They held hands almost the entire time we were there. We finally dragged Andy away, so that Steven could rest and Mark and I could return to the ballparks. Joel offered to stay with Andy while we were gone. ************* More to come, sports fans!