Beth was taking this better than I was. She hugged me and told me everything was going to be okay. Greg was elected to make breakfast because of his bonehead comment.
WE PLAYED WASHINGTON today. I was happy to see Ty Wilson. Unfortunately, he was playing on the varsity, so I wouldn’t get to play against him. We were talking football when he gave me some good news.
“Remember the quarterback from Eastside? The guy that made All-Conference?” Ty asked me.
How could I forget Mark?
“Yeah, what about him?”
“He’s officially enrolled in a school in California. That makes us the team to beat next year.”
“Great news,” I said.
Ty had just made my day. There had been rumors that Mark might be back.
“Now, your delusions of being the best team in the conference are a little hard to swallow,” I followed up.
“What’s Ty trying to feed you?” Coach Hope asked as he walked up and shook Ty’s hand.
“He seems to think that now that the quarterback from Eastside is gone, Washington is the team to beat next year.”
“Young man, what makes you think that?” Coach Hope asked.
Ty wasn’t sure he wanted to talk about this in front of our coach.
“Just tell him, Ty. He can take it.”
“Okay, but you can’t be mad.”
“I won’t hold it against you,” Coach Hope offered.
“Alright, you promised. With the best two quarterbacks not playing next year, it gives the edge to Washington. We return 20 starters from last year. We’ll be much better with a year’s experience under our belts.”
“What do you mean? You think that I won’t be playing?” I shot back.
“Well, the rumor has it that you won’t be playing quarterback, but fullback. Granted, that will give you a heck of a running game. I personally am glad that I won’t have to tackle you. But you’re much more dangerous at quarterback. Plus, you go from a multidimensional offense to being just run-oriented. We can put eight guys in the box and gang-tackle you.”
Coach laughed at him and walked away. I just shrugged. I was not commenting on that.
Coach Haskins had made some tweaks to the lineup. Justin got the start. He was excellent as always, but our bats were cold. He got us through the sixth inning. Coach had me go warm up for the seventh while we were at bat. I was up fifth, so he wanted me to hurry up in case I had to bat. First Jake and then Wolf were hit with pitches. The Washington coach had to pull his starter. That gave me a few more minutes to warm up.
Mike came up and put down a sacrifice bunt to move Jake and Wolf into scoring position. That helped keep us out of a double play and set up our best scoring chance of the day. Next up was Eve. She’d been making good contact all day, so it wasn’t a surprise when she ripped the first pitch down the first base line. Their first baseman made a spectacular play, snagging the ball as it went over his head.
So, we now had two outs and runners still at second and third. I jogged in from the bullpen and stepped into the box. I dug in and crowded the plate. I wasn’t surprised when the first pitch was chin high and inside. I picked myself out of the dirt and dug in again. Same pitch, same location, and same result.
I knew he would have to try and throw a strike. Tim was up next, and he was a clutch hitter. They would rather get me out than to have to face him with the bases loaded. Something told me to lay off the next pitch. Sure enough, he threw a curve that actually bounced off home plate. The catcher was able to smother it to keep the runner on third from scoring.
Now he had the choice of throwing a hittable fastball or facing Tim. They picked plan B and intentionally walked me. Tim dug in, and the pitcher tried to back Tim off with the first pitch, but it got away from him. It clipped Tim on the top of the helmet. Tim was okay but pissed. Coach Hope grabbed him and walked him to first base.
The umpire had seen enough. We had three hit batsmen in the inning. The last one was to the head. He ejected their pitcher. We were now up 1–0 with two outs and bases loaded. They didn’t have anyone warming up because they figured they had the pitcher they needed to finish the game. There was a lesson there we needed to learn. Coach Haskins got Bert up in case I got rocked or kicked out.
Jim came in and pinch-hit for Justin. Their next pitcher’s first effort got away from him and nicked Jim. Even though it was an accident, that got their coach and pitcher ejected. They had just gone through three pitchers and hit four of us. We were now up 2–0.
Bill was up next. They brought in their right fielder to pitch. I could tell he wasn’t very good. Bill would eat him up. Sure enough, Bill ripped the first pitch down the third base line. Their third baseman picked it up on one hop and tagged his base to end the inning.
That was it. The fight had gone out of them, though, and I struck out all three batters.
We went, showered, and came out for the varsity game. One of the ass-hat juniors was pitching. I was happy to see him pick off the runner at first. The dance team had worked with us all week on making a better move towards first. Even though I didn’t like the guy, I was happy for the team. The varsity put up a good fight but lost 5–3.
It was becoming obvious that the varsity needed help pitching. At the very least, Justin would make a difference for them. But I guess rules are rules.
TONIGHT’S DATE WAS with Cindy. Eve was off to Nashville again, so Cindy had volunteered to go out with me on our double date with Cassidy and Jim. Jim picked me up and we went to get Cindy first. When we got to Cassidy’s house, she was waiting for Cindy. She grabbed her hand and took her up to her room. Jim and I looked at Coach Hope.
“She’s having Cindy help her with her makeup. Times like this I miss my wife,” he said, and looked tired.
He got us some Cokes as we relaxed, waiting for the girls.
Coach Hope had a curious look on his face as he asked me, “I hate to be rude, but how many girls do you date?”
Jim burst out laughing.
“Yes, David, how many are there?”
“Let’s see, hmm. You’ve met Eve, Missy and Cindy. Oh, and April, but we’re no longer going out. I guess that just leaves Jim’s sister.”
“He’s kidding, right?” he asked Jim.
“Nope, he’s dating my sister, too. You missed one, though,” Jim offered. “Beth Anderson.”
I just shook my head.
“Son, I have no idea how you keep them from killing each other. How do you even know which one you’re going out with?” Coach Hope asked.
“They work out the details, like the when and with whom. It just seems to work out better that way.”
Cassidy and Cindy came down and joined us in the living room. Jim’s mouth was open because Cindy had done a great job with Cassidy’s makeup. I had to elbow him to get his attention.
“Oh, uhhh, you look great,” Jim said as he recovered.
“Get the water bottle, Coach,” I said, referring to them goofing off after practice and Coach dousing them.
“Watch it, David,” Cassidy threatened.
“Where are we going to eat?” I asked.
“Cindy gets to pick,” Cassidy informed us.
“There’s a new place over by the park.”
“I’ve wanted to go there. I heard it’s really good,” Coach Hope said.
“You want to join us?” I asked. “Tonight’s my treat.”
Coach was going to say no, but Cassidy jumped in.
“Come on, Daddy, it’ll be fun.”
“What about Brad?” I asked.
“He’s out with his ass-hat friends,” Cassidy said, then realized she was talking in front of her dad. “Oops, sorry, that’s what David calls them.”
Great! Throw me under the bus. I was just trying to do the right thing.
Her dad ignored the comment.
“How about I meet you guys there? I could use a good steak.”