Strike One

Chapter 18: A Bet's a Bet

Whitney's Point of View:

Game Day, a specifically a day I feel like my world changed for the better. After my dad died, I constantly have felt as though I have been sinking into a deep dark hole. But lately I've felt, for lack of better words - better. Today though, today everything changed for me, I've been asking my father for signs that he is still with me and when two of his all-time favorite songs end up on the boy, I'm crushing ons playlist - I feel as though that is the stars aligning. Not to mention, I'm about to play the sport that my father and I both loved / it's the only time I truly feel close to him.

I've earned my spot behind the plate at least for now due to my agility and specifically my bat. I'm batting 3rd in our lineup today and I know that in part the reason for me starting today is due to my bat. I'm a smart hitter and base runner - my father and I spent so much time understanding how to place pitches, when to steal, how to lead off, when to bunt/ where to bunt that it’s engrained in my head for eternity. That knowledge and understanding has allowed me to become the catcher I am today, and perhaps why I got the starting spot behind the plate.

They brought me in specifically because the catcher previously had graduated so they were in need, but even then, they still had backups who are now upperclassmen and yet here I am. I don't take that lightly though; I work hard, and I play even harder. I tend to lead fairly well when on the field despite my calm/collective self-off the field. Something sparks within me when my cleats hit the dirt - it's unlike anything I've ever experienced.

Today is very similar. I take control, I play with my heart and prove I'm the right person to be behind the plate making these calls and the one with the bat swinging with confidence. I got 3 for 4 with 2 singles, 1 double and one ground out. We end up winning the game 7-0 and it provides us enough time to go over and see the guys finish up their game. They are near the end of their game and

are down by a run as they head up to bat. I'm getting my catchers equipment squared away and the items on the charter bus prior to me sitting down and watching the guys finish their game and so I missed the first two outs. When I finally sit down, we have 2 outs, a runner on second and Chandler is up to bat. He's wearing the #20, nice number.

Watching him in the batter box makes me anxious, I remember what I told him on the bus, but that’s not why I'm anxious - I really want them to win and knowing that he has ducks on the pond and the potential to get the win for us makes me anxious. It's one of those scenarios where I wish I had the bat in my hands to do the job, I realize that I can't and to believe that is what makes me a good player - it's just these types of situations make me really nervous.

Anyways, watching Chandler also provides me a sense of relief. He is calm in the box and very much aware of himself and the field - he knows what he wants to do with the ball and knows what pitch he is waiting for. He fouls off a handful of close pitches bringing him up to a full count. I have this overwhelming feeling come over me just as the pitcher delivers the ball toward Chandler and I notice Chandlers back leg twitch - and he loads up and explodes through the ball with such a beautifully well-greased swing. The crowd goes absolutely wild.

All of the softball players are on their feet screaming and hollering as Chandler rounds second and looks this way. When he hits third, he looks up and makes eye contact with me in the stands, I salute him letting him know I will make good

on my bet. He has a smile that could literally melt me right where I stand. Instead, I continue cheering and his teammates slap his head and back as he hits home plate making the score 2-1. The next guy up flies out to left field and that means the last part of the inning and being that we are the away team our guys need to take the field one more time and close them out.

I watch Chandler sprint to the plate, kick around some dirt and take a warmup pitch from Luke who is still in the game. Luke is easily their best pitcher - he has a cannon and can throw a believable off-speed pitch / or so I'm told. The two of them have a connection and you can see that their chemistry is what makes for a dynamic duo out there. From what I hear the only run occurred when Luke missed one pitch on the inside which allowed for single into left field - him getting home on that was due to defensive errors made on the senior short stop who was actually pulled during the inning and replaced with Drake - one of Chandlers friends. So, making the infield we have Chase at first, Jeff at second, Drake and Short Stop, Luke as the pitcher, Chandler as the catcher, and

I'm not really sure who the third basemen and outfield people are.

I hear two dogs barking as one of the Spartans takes his position in the batter box to get the inning under way. I look over and low and behold its Mia! She is looking right at me with her tail wagging. I jump down for the stadium and sprint over to her and give her the biggest hug I can muster. I look up and apologize for my rudeness to David, Debora and Alexandra, "Oh my god! I'm so sorry!!! I should have said Hi to you guys first, I just saw Mia and I missed her," I tell them. Alex/Lexi interrupts, "Didn't you see her yesterday?" I shake my head informing her that was true. "Either way, it appears Mia is happy to see you though!! As am I, we caught some of your game - you really are very good Whitney," Lexi informs me. I smile, "Thank you."

David gently taps on my back, "You really have a cannon and probably could give my boy a run for his money behind the plate," he winks at me. Deb smiles at me, "I'm so glad to see you again, you cannot make yourself scarce - you promised," she insists. I nod and wave Abi to come over and meet his parents and of course pet the dog. Abi and I sit next to them and watch the final outs be secured and the win go to the Wolverines. Mia is lying next to me with her head in my lap as I continue to pet her ears when Hutch comes up and greets the Decker’s like long lost friends. I smile, everyone knows Hutch.

Hutch looks down at Mia, "Well, Mia, I think you and I might need to become good friends, sounds like you might need some 'other dog' playdates here in the future. Hey, Whit think you could bring Mia down for a weekend to spend with my pup, so we can get her adjusted to other dogs? I like to help Deb and Dave out with their therapy dogs, and this would be a good opportunity for Mia - after our fall ball season ends, what do you say?" I nod and look to Dave and Deb for approval on this and they of course agree. David interjects, "Not too many treats Carol (hutch's first name). I mean it. The last time we let our pups come hang out - they gained 3 pounds over the weekend!" We all laugh at that.

Hutch informs us that the bus is taking off in 15 minutes and not to be late, we both agree. Abi sees Jeff and immediately excuses herself but makes sure to thank Deb and Dave for bringing the pups, she also tells Lexi it was nice to see her again. I wave her off and let her know I will be following close behind. Chandler approaches from the dugout, carrying his equipment bag just as I was earlier. He drops it to give his parents and Lexi a hug and to thank them for coming to watch. David congratulates him on the win and the homerun. He smiles and shakes it off like it was nothing. The Spartans coach comes up and hands Chandler his homerun ball and tells him he can keep it. Chandler smiles and hands it over to me, "I think you should have this. I mean, a bet a bet, right?" I smile and smack his arm.

I tell The Decker’s and Lexi bye and give Mia the biggest kiss on her head and get myself on the bus and situated so we can head back to Ann Arbor. Chandler gets on the bus shortly after I am seated. I'm in the seat closest to the aisle and as he walks down, he gently squeezes my shoulder and as quickly as he touches me, he lets go, no one would have noticed because he made the gesture so quick and normalized it with his movement. But that simply squeeze of my shoulder sent a rush through me - one that excites me and scares the s**t out of me. Either this guy is going to be the life or death of me. Either way, I'm afraid of that and what he expects out of me. If I'm honest, I'm scared of what I expect out of him.