Batter Up

She comes to bat with the score tied three to three. Staring out at the pitcher, she goes into her stance, just hoping the ball will come over the sweet part of the plate. Into her motion, the pitcher winds and fires. Gathering all of her strength, her eyes lock on the fast approaching yellow softball. Like a gladiator ready to charge, she coils her body ready to strike. Swinging with all her might, she connects and the crowd goes wild as the ball sails over the center fielder's head and to the fence. With the crowd cheering, she takes off like a young cheetah toward first. A smile on her face and a gleam in her eye, she looks up and catches the coaches signal to go to second. Seeing the ball is still in the outfield and the third base coach waving her on, she rounds second and heads for third. Fans fired up cheering, mom and dad hold their breath and pray as she rounds third for home. Looking up and seeing a good relay throw to the catcher, she throws on her brakes and reverses to third. A bullet throw from catcher to third base has her in a rundown. Like a ping pong ball, they have her running back and forth, but she’s not worried with her speed. Then it happens, the third baseman overthrows the catcher and she is off for home. Heart pounding and breathing hard, knowing it will be close, she dives feet first and slides into home base under the tag to make a home run. The crowd is roaring in the stands, jumping up and down, hollering and clapping their hands. Her team mates run out of the dugout and mob her with joy. She’s made the winning run to break the tie. By:5/23/2015 A true story of my nine year old granddaughter making the winning run. Poetry In Motion' Contest Info Sponsor Matt Caliri