Softball Surprise

Softball Surprise — page 7 — I love signals It’s like a secret coded language that only our team knows When I’m catching behind the plate I use signals to communicate with the pitcher and tell her which types of pitches to throw Like Coach Kim I mix in some silly signs that mean absolutely nothing at all in the hopes of throwing the batter off her game Lara nodded her head and stepped her other foot into the box Martina placed the ball in her glove and gave me another look My feet itched to get off the base and creep toward home plate Lara was not going to swing at this first pitch But that didn’t mean I couldn’t try to fake out the Cardinals I was ready to run as soon as that ball left Martina’s hand Martina gave me the side-eye Then she cradled the ball in her glove and took a step backward with her right foot As her foot moved behind her her arm swung up and back then launched into the air over her head Her 10

Softball Surprise — page 8 — arm circled back around her body and brushed by her hip bone She released the ball fingers stretched out toward home plate in the perfect follow-through Lara stood there and did nothing taking the pitch as directed The ball hit firmly into the center of the catcher’s mitt Strike one called the umpire I hustled back to the base keeping my foot on the bag until Martina walked back to the mound Coach Kim swiped her forehead the signal for sacrifice fly Lara stepped back into the batter’s box ready for the second pitch Remember be smart I thought If you’re caught off the base she can throw you out Martina moved quickly and set up for her next pitch trying to throw Lara off rhythm Lara started her backswing before I could take much of a lead This time Lara swung hard and connected The ball bounced off the bat hurtling up into the sky 11

Softball Surprise — page 9 — toward center field in a giant arc It was a perfect sacrifice fly I sprinted back to third and set my foot on the base tagging up When the Cardinals center fielder caught the ball I could sprint toward home plate and try to beat the throw The center fielder shielded her eyes from the sun with her glove as she tracked the ball in the sky As the white orb fell back toward Earth she took a few steps forward building up her throwing momentum I dug my heel into the base getting ready to run like my life depended on it As soon as the ball smacked against her glove I took off toward home She had a strong arm as all center fielders should But I knew I could beat her I pumped my arms and connected with the energy pulsing through my legs The field erupted in excitement Fans cheered for both sides Teammates in the dugouts jumped up and down 12

Softball Surprise — page 10 — The Cardinals catcher planted herself squarely over home plate ready to block my slide Her glove was open and ready This was going to be close Even if the ball made it home I could still knock it out of the catcher’s mitt and the run would count Thump I hit the dirt with as much energy as I could muster My body collided with the catcher and everything went suddenly quiet As the dust settled around me I looked up at the umpire Safe he yelled Dodgers win My teammates poured out of the dugout piling on top of me before I had a chance to stand up Parents friends and fans cheered madly from the sidelines waving blue-and-yellow pom-poms and blowing noisemakers Last to first Last to first they cheered Last to first had been our motto all season after finishing last year in a disappointing last place After making some changes to our roster 13

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