Tommy 2

"Metcalf! You're up," shouted the Coach. Tommy stood up, with his bat in both hands, the sunlight beaming down as he got into position next to the plate. ********* "Okay, lil' Slugger, you're up."  Jeff adjusted the cap on Tommy's head.  "Remember what we talked about last night.  Keep your eye on the ball & when you think a pitch looks good.  Swing at it with everything you've got." Tommy's 8-year-old eyes beamed at his dad with pride, "I will give it my best shot, Coach." "That's what I like to hear.  Go get'em Slugger."  Tommy turned away from Jeff, walking towards homeplate with the bat in both hands.  "& Tommy, I will be proud of you no matter how you hit that ball."  Tommy smiled at his dad's words of encouragement. ********* "STRIKE ONE" Tommy stepped back from plate, taking a few practice swings.  Come on, Tom, take a deep breath & don't blow this chance at the Majors.  Tommy stepped back into the batter's box. ********* "STRIKE ONE" Jeff stood at the sidelines, clapping & smiling, "That's ok, Tommy, you swing when it feels right to you!! Tommy's hands were sweaty, he felt as though the bat was going to slip out of his hands. ********* "STRIKE TWO" Geez, what was wrong with that pitch, Metcalf, it was right over the plate just the way you normally like them.  Quit acting like a scared 8-year-old & hit the damn ball.  Tommy said to himself. "That's ok, Tommy, you swing when it feels right to you!!" Jeff's words echoed in Tommy's mind. ********* "STRIKE TWO" Tommy stepped back from the plate & looked over at his dad with sadness in his eyes.  Jeff pretended he had a bat in his hands & swung at a make-believe ball, afterwards mouthing the words, I believe in you Tommy. Tommy smiled, stepping back up to the plate. ********* Tommy could hear the crack of his bat making contact with the ball. The ball went over the fence.  He started to round the bases. "Nice hit, Metcalf." Said the Coach as Tommy ran past him. Yeah!  I did it Dad!! ********* No one was more stunned than Tommy to feel his bat smash into the ball.  He didn't even bother to look where the ball went, he started rounding the bases as fast as his short legs would take him.  He could see his Momma, Stevie & Susie cheering for him on the bleachers.  He could hear Charlie Hailey hollering "Way to go, Lil' Mutt!" His Dad always said Charlie had the biggest mouth around.  Tommy was so excited he didn't see his dad telling him to stop at 3rd.   Tommy was called out at homeplate, but he didn't care, he felt 6 feet tall.  He could see his whole future in front of him.  He wanted to play pro ball, just like his dad!