Plunking Reggie Jackson by James Bennett

Author:James Bennett
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781497683976
Publisher: Open Road Media Teen & Tween

Chapter Ten

Bree went with him when he made his second visit to the sports medicine clinic.

Dr. Nugent was encouraging after he examined the new set of X rays. “This is about as good as we could have hoped for.”

“Great. When can I pitch?”

The doctor smiled. “Not so fast. Let’s talk about some rehabilitation first.”

“Okay, I’m listening.” As eager as Coley was, Dr. Nugent was all the way down the line by the book. Having removed the cast, he used his fingertips to probe the damaged ankle, which was white and stubbled like an old man who needed a shave. “Is there a whirlpool in the locker room at your high school?”

Coley grunted: “Yeah.” Occasionally there were twinges of pain when the doctor pressed hard, but nothing acute. On the front of the ankle was a small greenish bruise about the size of a quarter. Bree was holding his arm when she wasn’t gripping his hand. Coley wondered if Dr. Nugent thought it was weird, her being with him. We must look like some lame and out-of-luck couple sucking up to a doctor for fertility drugs.

Dr. Nugent gave him a plastic walking cast that was held in place by Velcro strips. “I want you to wear this when you’re at school or walking in public places. Wear it anytime you’re walking on an uneven surface, like your yard or a playing field.”

“Can I throw?”

“Not yet. Until the time comes when you can really trust this ankle and drive on it, you’ll probably overcompensate and strain other muscle groups.”

“Come on.”

“Like your arm, maybe. A pitcher with a sore ankle is one thing, but a pitcher with a bad arm is in trouble. You’re listening to me, right?”

“Yeah, I am.”

The doctor continued. “This is a manual of ankle exercises you can do at home. Follow the directions closely, don’t improvise. Anytime you feel pain, it’s time to stop and rest. You want to be aggressive enough so you push yourself right up to the threshold of pain, but don’t go beyond that.”

“Okay.” Coley took the printed manual and folded it over so it could fit in his pocket. Bree took it from him, though, to put it in her purse.

“I’m going to send you out to the university so you can get an inflatable lace-up cast. You can run wearing it. Don’t run on any uneven surface, though; run in the gym or on the track. Just remember, the rule of thumb is always the same: Push yourself to the point of pain and then back off.”

“What about the stationary bike and stuff in the water?” Coley asked.

“Perfect. The more the better. You need to be in shape when you’re ready to pitch.”

On the drive home Coley enjoyed the freedom of the lighter, sleeker plastic cast. He was determined to follow all the rehab guidelines; thinking ahead, he realized he might be pitching again in two to three weeks, which would still be the month of May, which would still be before the start of the play-offs.

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