Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:51 +0000
From: Douglas DD DD <thehakaanen@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Perfect Game   Chapter 42

Baseball is still at the front of the minds of they young Titans after
their hard fought victory over their hated rivals, the Kentburg
Bulldogs. But not all of the news is good as they find out after the
game. After finding out they had not won all that they thought they had the
team falls into a funk almost immediately after the elation of their
victory. As a team they don't handle their new situation like a team of
champions would. The question now is can they pull out of their funk soon
enough to not lose what they did gain in their win?

I appreciate all of the comments I have received from you readers, they
really help to make this experience fun. Comments can be sent to Douglas at
thehakaanen@hotmail.com.



CHAPTER 42
TITANS VS VIKINGS

The field slowly cleared as the celebrants headed for their cars and the
players headed for the locker room, taking equipment with them. Noah and
Adrian had equipment duty for the week and took care of what had to be
locked up in the field storage shed. Coach Sanders grabbed Marty and Rich
for some extra help and it didn't take long to get everything put away and
locked up.

Nobody had left the locker room when the stragglers came in. Some boys
were changing out of their uniforms and others planned on wearing them
home.

"Coach, what happens if we end up tied?" Bobby asked.

"We get a plaque for being division co-champions. The trophies you see are
for varsity championships," Coach Sanders answered.

"Okay, but who gets to go to the playoff game?"

"Well, I hate to put a damper on the good time, but the tiebreaker is overall
margin of victory. Since we won by one and lost by four, the Bulldogs play
the other division winner for the league title."

"That's not fair," Marty protested. "We should have a playoff game against
them."

"That would be nice," Coach Sanders said, "but state rules say a middle
school team can only play 12 games plus one playoff game. So a tiebreaker
has to be used."

"It's still not fair," Marty said pouting. "Nobody told us that or we would've
kicked their ass worse." Coach Sanders was amused to find Marty being
concerned with something other than himself for once.

"Who do the Bulldogs have left to play?" Vince asked.

Noah, who knew all things baseball, had the answer to that one. "They play
Pine Lake and Meadow Park who are both three and seven. But they only
beat Pine Lake by one and they beat Meadow Park 9-4 so anything can
happen."

"Just like anything can happen to us," Coach Sanders said. "We have the
third and fourth place teams on our schedule and they both played us tough
the first time around."

He saw that he had the entire team together and held a quick post-game
meeting which he hadn't been able to do after the game. He told them that
the win was a team effort all the way around. He mentioned Rich's solid
starting pitching, and the clutch hitting of Rich, Danny's big hit, Noah's
incredible play at second, Scott's big RBI, Eric's great job in relief (being
careful not to mention that it was a form of redemption after giving up the
grand slam in the first game between the two teams). Coach Sanders
emphasized once again that everybody had been an important part of the
win. He retired to his office after telling the boys to get the locker room
cleared as quickly as they could.

When the boys left the building they found out that all of the sixth graders
were going Ron's Pizza for dinner along with the parents. Having the
parents was a good thing, the boys figured, since they had the money. When
they got to the pizza place, kids and parents sat together in the back room
reserved for groups, though not at the same tables. The chatter was about the
game, with people good naturedly talking over each other. Even the arrival
of the pizzas didn't slow down the talk. One thing that everybody noted, but
nobody talked about, was that Bobby was the only boy there not represented
by a parent.

Of course Eric got a lot of pats on the ego (and elsewhere) for taking care of
his nemesis from the first game. Everybody still marveled at Noah's diving
stop and the throw to second while sitting on his butt. Danny and Scott had
both gotten big hits. Kevin had caught the entire game. While Kraig and
Bobby played as subs, with Kraig grounding out twice as well as playing the
last three innings in center and Bobby catching a pop-up during his two
innings in right, they both felt they hadn't contributed anything. It was hard
for them to sulk about it, though, because the team had won and none of
their teammates would give them a chance to sulk even if they wanted to.

The talk was about how somebody had to upset the Kentburg Bulldogs.
While both remaining opponents had poor records, Pine Lake had played
them close, losing only by a run.

"Yeah, but Pine Lake also lost to Clark Pass and we all know how much
they suck," Scott said.

But Danny's father gave them some hope.

"My understanding is Clark Pass had four of their best players suspended for
a few games for something they did either at school or at a practice. Nobody
is saying, of course, but they weren't at full strength. They are playing the
Bulldogs at home after losing to them at Kentburg by just a run. I heard they
are back to full strength. I think they have a shot."

"Boy, I hope so," Eric said and his teammates echoed his sentiments.

That evening at Scott's house Eric and Scott were all over each other. The
kissed, hugged, grabbed stroked and finally cummed on each other while
rolling around on Scott's totally unmade bed. It was their first cums since
Sunday morning and they were both very horny.

"You were great today," Scott said. "You so made him look bad."

"You were great, too. That was a big hit you got for us."

"It still didn't put us past grand slam range and it sure didn't get us enough
runs to break a tie at the end of the season."

Eric rubbed his hands along Scott's chest. He so loved touching his
boyfriend. "I have a feeling we're going to win it. I just think the Bulldogs
are going to choke and we're going to be the playoff team."

"Hmmm," Scott moaned as he enjoyed the feel of Eric's hands on him.

"What do you like the most, me talking about baseball or me rubbing your
chest?"

"Hmmm," Scott moaned one more time. That was as far as the conversation
got as their reverie was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Can I come in?" Lindy asked. Scott growled something in reply.

"Hey, at least she asked," Eric said as he reached for a strewn blanket to
cover their naked bodies.

"Was that a yes?" Lindy didn't bother to wait for an answer as she pranced
into the room wearing nothing but a bra and panties. "Well, looks who's
naked in bed together."

"How do you know we're naked?" Scott asked.

"Maybe I know because I can see you don't have shirts on and I can see
your clothes and underwear all over the floor."

Scott didn't bother to reply. He wasn't concerned about her seeing them
naked since Lindy had seen them naked before and they all seemed to
survive the experience. "What do you want and why are you half naked?
Where's mom?"

"That's a lot of questions, little brother."

"So give me a lot of answers big sister."

"I just wanted to say hi to Eric before he went home. And it's not like you
don't run around the house in your underwear...or less. Mom's at the
neighbor's. Happy now?"

"I'll be even happier when you leave the room. You could've said hi to Eric
at the front door when he said good-bye. That would have made it a two-for-
one special."

"You can pull off the sheet. I've seen you both naked before."

"And you'd love to see us again because it turns you on. When's the last
time Greg's fucked you anyway?"

"Scott!"

"Just wondering. I mean you want to know all about our sex. And you seem
extra horny today."

"Yesterday after school if you've got to know. When's the last time Eric's
fucked you?"

"None of your business."

"Ohhh, you can be such a brat."

"Bye-bye big sister."

"Pull off the sheet and I'll go."

Eric surprised Scott by yanking the sheet off, exposing their smooth naked
bodies. Scott recovered quickly, however. "There. Now you can go."

"When do I get to watch you have sex?"

"Damn, Lindy. Just go. Eric's gotta be home soon."

Lindy reached back and unhooked her bra, taking it off and exposing her
round but not yet fully developed 14 year old breasts. "There's something
for you and your boyfriend to think about instead of your stupid little
penises." She shook her body and gave them a jiggle and then left the room.

"She can be such a bitch at times." Scott said.

"She did give us a show though. I think she wants to mess with us," Eric
said.

"Do you want to mess with her?"

"No...but..."

"But what?"

"Seeing her and Greg do it might be fun." Eric started giggling at the
thought and his soprano giggle got Scott joining in. Pretty soon they were
laughing hysterically together. When they finally recovered Eric realized it
was time for him to go. The time for having sex had passed, but they weren't
any less horny.

He got up and dressed, leaving his briefs and socks on the floor. He knew
they would end up in the wash and he'd get them back later. He exchanged a
long kiss with Scott who didn't bother to put anything on. The headed
downstairs to the front door and exchanged a long, deep kiss, not aware that
Lindy was watching.

They broke off the kiss and Lindy said, "Not bad for two little boys. And
you look so cute naked, little brother." She was wearing just her blue
flowered panties. "I'm surprised your boooooooooy friend even bothered to
put anything on."

"We're so happy to be able to make you horny big sister," Scott said. He
turned to Eric and told him he'd see him in the morning. Eric gave Lindy a
leer and scooted out the door.

"Thanks Lindy," Scott said after closing the door.

"Thanks for what?"

"For interrupting me and Eric. I'll remember that when Greg comes over."

"I bet. You probably will do it just to see a real penis on a guy."

Scott cupped his 11 year old cock and balls and stuck his hips out. "Mine are
just fine for 11 and my boner is even better. Now, I'm gonna brush my teeth
and go on my computer and don't bother me."

"Oh, I won't. I just wanted your boy friend to see a bit of a girl. I'm not
dumb you know. I read how boys your age get crushes on each other and
then go chasing girls when they get older. Might as well let you guys know
what kind of fun you'll have." She grinned at him. "Oh, and I'll be sure to
get out my magnifying glass if I ever want to look at your teeny little hard-
on." Lindy put her fingers into the waist of her panties, pulled them down,
and kicked them off. She was now standing in front of her little brother
totally naked.

"You're disgusting," Scott said, but in spite of what he said his dick had
moved to full mast until it stood straight and hard at its close to four plus
inches of length. Scott stood in front of his sister, embarrassed that she had
caused that reaction in him but unsure of what to do next. Lindy had no
doubt about what to do next as she walked right up to her brother and put her
fingers around his now throbbing boy cock. Even though it felt good Scott
was about to bolt when they heard the back door open and their mom call
out that she was home. At that they both bolted for their own rooms. The last
Lindy saw of Scott was his delicious athletic bubble butt as he took the stairs
two at a time.

The last thing Scott heard before gently closing his door was, "Lindy, why
are your panties on the floor?" He quickly pulled on some sweats and went
down to greet his mother, trying hard to not break out laughing.

Scott took care of his evening's business...he had a lot of sexual tension to
get rid of. He had kind of expected Lindy to come knocking at his door and
wondered if he wanted her to or not. She was making things quite confusing
for him. When he finally got into bed, still naked, and shut off the light, he
closed his eyes and started stroking his still hard cock. He saw an image of
Eric in his mind as he whacked himself furiously to a quick climax. That
seemed to end the confusion and it made him happy his weirdo sister had
left him alone.

Eric jerked off as well, thinking of Lindy's comment about how she was
surprised that Eric had bothered getting dressed. That made him think about
how hot walking naked between Scott's house and his house would be. He
had a hard shooting cum of boy cream thinking of doing just that.

++++++++++

The next day at school Scott told Eric about what had happened after he left.
"I guess she isn't getting what she wants from her boyfriend," Scott said,
referring to his sister.

"Whatever. She sure has the hots for you," Eric told him with a grin.

"And she's got them for you, too. I'll tell you this, I'm coming over to your
house after school today. I can't handle two straight nights of her."

"She won't be like that every day. She can't be. She just needs to get more
sex to leave us alone."

"Whatever it is she needs, I hope she gets it soon," Scott said.

When Scott told Eric about his mother finding Lindy's panties on the floor
they both broke out into laughter and giggles. "What did Lindy say?" Eric
asked.

"I don't know and I probably won't ever find out. But I was rolling when
mom yelled out that question." The incident reminded the boys of when they
had left their own underwear on the floor of Eric's house.

At practice that afternoon nothing seemed to go right. The drills were sloppy
as the team seemed more concerned with playing grab ass and, for some
grabbing other things, even under a cup, when they thought Coach Sanders
wasn't looking. Finally Coach Sanders stopped practice long enough to
chew the team out and to tell them to get focused. Ten minutes after the
chewing out things still hadn't improved so he stopped practice and called
the team over.

"Look, I know your upset about how the tie breaker works. But all we
wanted from you was to put forth the effort to win the game. You did that.
Now you act like a team that is trying not to finish in last place."

"You should have told us," Marty said. Marty seemed to having a problem
getting over the whole tie breaker mess.

Coach Sanders gave him a serious coach look. "Marty, you guys would have
been so into scoring runs you would have forgotten to win the game. You
did what you were supposed to do. Look at it this way. If the Bulldogs
should happen to lose and you lose too because you didn't put forth the
effort you were supposed to then you don't gain a thing. You have no
control over what the Bulldogs do. You have total control over what you can
do. Don't end up looking in the mirror saying, `If only we'd been better
prepared we could have won the league.' Put everything you have on the
line and play with all guns blazing."

Rich gave Marty's ass a quick squeeze as the meeting broke up. Practice
went better as the silliness and horseplay ended, but Coach Sanders was still
not pleased with what he saw. Evans was 5-6 and was a decent team. His
players would need to have a lot better attitude tomorrow or they could end
up with a very unhappy surprise.

The next day was gray and a little muggy, but the chance of rain was slim.
As usual for an away game the team got out of class early, got into their
uniforms, loaded the bus and headed out. Evans was about a forty minute
bus ride. The boys' team was chatty and somewhat silly on the ride, a fact
noted by Coach Sanders to Adam. "In my experience, silly teams are usually
not ready to play. We don't have our game faces on."

"Are you going to say anything?" Adam asked.

"No. I've had my say. Sometimes lessons have to be learned the hard way
and I think this is going to be one of those lessons."

Mitch was still out with his turned ankle and was probably finished for the
year. Once again nobody suited up varsity so the entire group could be
together for the battle for first. What Coach Sanders didn't tell them is that if
they lost today's game, which would effectively end their run for the playoff
game, somebody would be suiting up varsity for Friday's makeup game.

Rodney was starting for the Titans with Vince as his catcher. Neil, a pudgy
blond sixth grader, was the starter for the Evans Vikings. Neil was not a hard
thrower, but he was always around the plate. His slow to slower pitches
often encouraged batters to not be patient and wait on the pitch. Today he
was in top form and the Titans were so amped and lacking in concentration
that they were literally swinging out of their shoes in their attempt to
hammer the slow junk being thrown at them.

Adrian was batting leadoff and he struck out when he swung wildly at a 1-2
pitch. Eric, batting second, only needed three pitches as he fanned on a ball
that was so slow it dropped behind home plate and scooted past the catcher.
It didn't go far and the catcher easily threw Eric out at first. Marty was in the
three hole. He, too, swung wildly at two low pitches, took a pitch outside,
and saw another pitch creep up to the plate, looking like it was going to drift
right over the middle. He decided to let it go by, figuring it would drop just
like the rest of Neil's junk had. Instead it went right by him, splitting the
plate just above the knees for a called strike three. The Viking pitcher had
started the game by striking out the side. Coach Sanders knew right then, as
if he had had any doubts, that this would be a very long afternoon.

"We'll hit this guy," Marty said as the Titans left the dugout for the field.
"He can't even crack glass with that fastball let alone break it. We're going
to hammer him." Coach Sanders said nothing.

Rodney was a good pitcher, but he could tell that he wasn't really on top of
his game. He gave up a single to the three hitter on a fat pitch and he
promptly stole second. The Vikings let the runner die there and the Titans
escaped with no damage.

As the team came in from the field Coach Sanders reminded them to stay
back and wait in the pitch. He told them to be patient and not try to hit the
ball out of the park. "Just make contact and the rest will take care of itself."

The team seemed to have heard Marty and his saying they were going to
hammer him rather than Coach Sanders who told them to be smart. Rich was
the first player to make contact, but it was a weak grounder back to the
pitcher and he was an easy out. Scott and Danny then both struck out. Five
of their six outs were strikeouts against a pitcher who seemed to be begging
them to hit the ball. Rodney gave up a lead-off walk in the bottom of the
inning, but once again there was no damage done. Neil once again had a 1-2-
3 inning, getting Vince to pop-up, Rodney to strike out, and Jin to ground
out to third. Rodney allowed a two-out double but escaped unscathed. It was
a scoreless tie after three innings. The Titans were still looking for their first
hit.

Eric, who was a smart player, took Coach Sanders's admonition to be patient
to heart as he came up in the fourth for the second time in the game.  As a
result he drew a one out walk, but Marty grounded out weakly with Eric
being forced at second.  Rich drew a walk on four pitches far out of the
zone. Scott then became the first Titan to hit the ball hard, but his line drive
went right into the shortstop's glove.

In the bottom of the fourth Danny, who was playing short, threw a ball so
hard on a grounder that it sailed over the sideline fence and the batter was
awarded second. Rodney got the next hitter to pop-up to third, where Marty
camped under it and routinely closed his glove as he attempted a one-handed
catch. The only problem was the ball hadn't fallen all the way into his glove
and it promptly dropped to the ground. By the time Marty retrieved the ball
the runner was on third with the batter on first. There were no outs. The
Titan defense, which had been keeping them in the game, was looking as
bad as their hitting.

Coach Sanders elected to give up a run for an out and kept the infield back.
Even with their problems he had confidence that if his players got their
heads out of their asses and into the game they could hit the Viking pitcher.
The next hitter grounded to second, where Noah, who was subbing for Eric,
made the out at first as the run scored. There were two outs with a runner at
second. A wild pitch by Rodney put the runner at third and the next Viking
batter drove him in with a double. Rodney finally got out of the inning, but
the damage had been done. He couldn't work around two errors on routine
plays and the Titans entered the top of the fifth down 2-0 and still looking
for their first hit.

Coach Sanders again reminded the team to sit back, be patient, and just meet
the ball. He told them that most of the pitches were in the area of the strike
zone but that many of the pitches they were swinging at weren't because his
off-speed stuff was sinking out of the zone. By waiting longer the pitches
they were swinging at would drop low and become balls. Marty,
remembering what happened to him in the first inning, wanted to say,
"Yeah, whatever," but he kept his thoughts to himself.

Danny led off the fifth inning and started to pay heed to what Coach Sanders
was preaching. He got the count full, fouled off a couple of pitches, and then
struck out at a pitch that looked good but was low and out of the zone. Kevin
pinch hit for Vince. When it came to knowing baseball he, Eric, and Noah
were the best on the team. Kevin had been watching Neil and came up with
a plan, take pitches and draw a walk. Neil messed up the plan by getting two
quick called strikes. Kevin grounded out routinely to second. Bobby then
came up to hit for Rodney. Neil missed on his first two pitches and his next
pitch was a low strike. Bobby hit it for grounder to short which went through
the legs of the Viking shortstop. Bobby getting on base on the error brought
the first real noise from the Titan dugout for the entire game.  Kraig was
next, pinch hitting for Jin. Kraig became way overeager and looked like
most of the Titans that day as he struck out on four pitches.

Rodney re-entered the game and got a 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth. It was still
2-0 Vikings. The Titans were fortunate that Rodney had come to play as his
pitching, even with him not having his best stuff, was keeping them in the
game.

"Come on guys, this is sick," Marty said. "That guy ain't throwing nothing
and we ain't got a hit yet."

"Let's show him how the Titans can really hit," Danny said. But the
comments died there as the dugout remained mostly silent. The chubby sixth
grade pitcher for the Vikings had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning.

The top of the sixth brought Jerome to the plate. He had replaced Adrian in
the field in the bottom of the fourth and was up for the first time. Neil's first
pitch was up in the zone and Jerome was all over it, lining it over the second
baseman for a single. The Titans had their first hit and the dugout started to
show a little life. Eric was up next as a re-entry for Noah. Neil fell behind 2-
0 as he appeared to be tiring. Eric hit the 2-0 pitch hard and over third base.
By the time the left fielder got to the ball Eric was on second with a double
and the Titans had runners on second and third with nobody out. The dugout
finally came alive as Marty came to the plate.

Marty had put everything into all of his swings with no results. Instead of
waiting out the now tiring pitcher, he put himself into an 0-2 hole with the
result being his second strikeout of the afternoon. Rich followed his
boyfriend to the plate and had a better mind set than Marty. He was more
willing to make Neil work. With the count 2-1 he found the pitch he wanted,
the one pitch that supposedly came each at-bat. He slammed a ball into the
gap in left-center knocking in Jerome and Eric. The score was tied.

That hit brought out the Evans coach. Neil had thrown five innings of no-hit
ball with his slow and slower junk. But now he was in trouble as the Titans
became convinced they had figured him out. The coach took the ball from
Neil and brought in his right fielder to pitch. He was a big gangly kid who
threw hard but was often wild.

Scott took a look at a couple of pitches before getting a solid hit off of a
fastball, driving in Rich. Hitting is said to be contagious and the Titans
seemed to have caught the disease. Danny singled with Scott hustling to
third and the rally continued. Before the Vikings could get the third out the
Titans had forged a five run inning. The game was all but over.

Rodney gave way to Jerome on the mound in the bottom of the sixth. Jerome
gave up a harmless two out single, the Titans scored another run in the
seventh. Jerome gave up a walk and a double but only one run. The Titans
were finally able to breathe as they came back for a 6-3 win that was much
closer than the final score indicated.

After end of game high-fives, fist bumps, and hugs the teams lined up for the
obligatory handshakes with the Vikings. The game was the last one for the
Vikings since their bye had come up the day of the rainouts.

"Good game guys," Neil said as he shook hands and high fived the Titan
line. "I hope you guys finish ahead of the Bulldogs. I like you guys way
better. They're a bunch of buttheads." That was the sentiment the Titan
players heard all along the line, which made them feel good. All of the
Titans made sure to compliment Neil's pitching as the chubby blond had
them confused most of the game.

Coach Sanders then held the usual postgame meeting. He congratulated on
hanging in for a win and reminded them that tomorrow's opponent,
Chinook, was a good team. He told them they needed to show up for that
game in a better space mentally. They needed to come to the game with
more intensity and concentration and be prepared to execute from the start
not from the sixth inning on.

The ride home on the bus was noisy, but in a much more positive way than
the ride to the game had been. The girls, who had been upset by the ruckus
made by the silly boys on the way to the game, were also in a celebratory
mood. They had won their game 7-1.

Rich sat next to Marty on the bus. "Did the win make you horny?" he asked
with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Marty gave him a disgusted look. "It would if I did anything worthwhile.
Let's see, I go oh-for-three. I strike out twice, once with the tying runs on
second and third, AND I drop a fucking easy pop-up. That's sure to make
anyone horny," he said sarcastically.

"Just wondering," Rich said.

"I suppose you're horny. No, never mind, I KNOW you're horny. Why
don't you be the one to pull down your pants and jerk off on the team bus.
Hell, I'll give you the window seat and give you cover."

"Like I said, I was just wondering," Rich repeated.

Marty lightened up a notch as he said, "Why is it I am the only one on this
team with the balls to do shit like that."

"Shit like what?"

"You know, sex shit."

"Maybe because you're the only Marty," Rich said with a chuckle.

"Whatever."

As that conversation went on Coach Sanders was reading a text message on
his phone. He finished reading and got out of his seat, walking up the aisle to
the back of the bus.  Rich was happy he still had his pants on.

"I just got a text message from the Meadow Park coach," he said. "It was
short and to the point."

"Is it the Kentburg score?" Noah asked.

"That it is." The coach had put on a poker face adding to the sudden
suspense. "It is Kentburg four..."

"And what?" Marty shouted out, showing the same patience that he had
shown at the plate, only this time his impatience might have actually been
justified.

The poker face broke into a smile as Coach Sanders finished the sentence,
"...and Meadow Park six."

A huge cheer broke out as the players realized that Kentburg had dropped its
second straight game and they were now in first place all by themselves.

"Gentlemen," he said, "you now have your destiny in your own hands. Only
you can cost you the division title tomorrow. Eat well tonight, be smart, and
get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is the day we practiced all spring for."
He turned around and went back to his seat, his back to the loud buzz now
emanating from his middle school team.

Noah put it all into perspective. "We beat them 8-4 the first game, but it
wasn't all that easy. And if they beat Pine Lake today, and I bet they did,
that makes them 7-4. They are pretty good. But we're better and we all know
it."

"Tomorrow we kick some Totem ass," Kevin said.

Eric shook his head. "No, tomorrow we show up to school in the morning
with our game faces on and ready to play. Whatever happens tomorrow it
happens with us being the best we can be."

"You got that right, bro," Jerome said.

The back of the bus quieted down some. Some would say that this was only
a middle school JV baseball team and thus was lacking in any real
importance. But there are others who would say that the Big Time is where
you're at and this was as important as it got. The increasing seriousness of
the talk in the back of the bus showed how the Titan boys felt about their
place in the scheme of things---they were in the big time.

Coach Sanders held another quick meeting after they all got off the bus at
the school. "Tomorrow's battery will be Scott and Kevin. Let's all be ready
when we wake up tomorrow and then build from there."

At first the choice of Scott was surprising to some. He was a sixth grader
and his two starts had been against Pine Lake and Clark Pass the two
weakest teams in the league. But for those looking at it closely the move
made sense.  It was a makeup game, their third of the week. Rich and
Rodney had too many innings pitched and were ineligible. Adrian had
started only one game all year. Eric's only start had been against the Totems
and because he pitched two innings on Tuesday he was restricted to five
innings.  Jerome had pitched today. The final reason in Coach Sanders's
mind was that he liked the idea of Eric, with his ability to be around the plate
and to keep batters off balance, coming in to relieve. He would be offering a
contrast to the hard throwing Scott and his occasional bouts of wildness.

Scott could feel the adrenaline flow as soon as Coach Sanders singled him
out as the starting pitcher. Kevin and Eric both gave him a quick pat and
squeeze on the butt and the shaking in his knees calmed down some. Still, he
couldn't believe that tomorrow he was going to be the pitcher the entire team
was relying on in the game to clinch first place.

The Truman Titan JV boys headed off for their homes or in a couple of cases
the home of a friend. Wherever they were going they were all convinced in
their own way they were in the Big Time. Tomorrow was going to be the
biggest baseball game of their young lives.

Next: The Big Time