Casey KC by Chris Kreie

Author:Chris Kreie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: baseball, kansas city, kansas city royals, little league, friendship
Publisher: Rabbit Lake Books
Published: 2015-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

After several minutes of pushing and shoving, the umpires finally gained control of the brawl. The Orioles were sent back to the dugout, the Royals back to their positions in the field. Casey had crawled back to the dugout, more beat up and in more pain than he had been after getting hit by the pitch.

Pedro and the batter who had charged the mound were both ejected from the game, just like the umpires had promised.

The tension remained high throughout the next two innings. Every Royals player seemed on edge. The whole team hung out on the top step of the dugout for every pitch and reacted loudly to every play, good or bad. The beanballs had turned the game into a steaming pot ready to boil over.

For the most part, Casey kept to himself in the corner of the dugout. He couldn’t get his mind off his next at bat. He was convinced he would get thrown at again.

In the top of the third, Deon joined Casey on the bench. They watched the game in silence until Casey finally spoke up. “I don’t know if I can do it again.” He stared straight ahead.

“What are you talking about?” asked Deon.

“I’m not sure I can go back out there.”

“Do you want me to ask Hardy to pull you?” asked Deon.

“No,” said Casey sharply. “I don’t want that.”

“Then what?”

“I don’t know,” said Casey. “I guess I’m just scared, that’s all.”

“You stood in there the first time,” said Deon. “You can do it again.”

“But I’m just a kid, man.” Casey looked at Deon.

“Oh no you don’t,” said Deon. “You can’t play that card, dude. You became a man the minute you pulled on that uniform.”

Casey paused. “The catcher’s been talking smack to me all night. And the first baseman told me I better not come back onto the field, or else.”

“These fans don’t want to see your butt back in that batter’s box either,” said Deon.

Casey sighed. He sat in silence for several seconds. “All the more reason to get back out there, right?” he finally said.

Deon nodded his head.

“I can’t let them push me around,” said Casey.

“You sure can’t,” said Deon.

Casey stood up. “Thanks, Deon.”

“Always, kid.”

He walked to the water fountain, took an extra long drink, and prepared to get back onto the field and hit.

The batters ahead of Casey began a rally that inning. With one out, Bobby hit a single up the middle and Orlando Gabino got on with a walk. Then Fausto pounded a double high off the right field wall. All the players in the dugout cheered and high-fived as Bobby crossed home with the first run of the game and Orlando ended up safe at third.

Casey stepped to the plate. He was excited that the team had scored a run, but his fear still outweighed his happiness. And the look in the pitcher’s eye gave him little comfort. Casey felt like he was staring straight through him.

His teammates stepped off their leads on the base paths, Orlando just off third and Fausto off second.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.