Levi
I'm nervous. My mind should be on the game ahead of these boys as I warm them up, but I can't stop myself from glancing over at the stands every twenty seconds. This is the first time I've invited someone to one of Brody's games. He may only be eight but I know his mind is working overtime wondering if there is any significance to the fact that it's a woman coming to his game.
I throw the ball up in the air and hit it to our second baseman. He picks up the ground ball and tosses it to first. The first baseman tosses it to our back-up catcher and the catcher hands me the ball and then I repeat the action, this time hitting the ball to shortstop.
Brody is off in the grass warming up the pitcher. He's catching today and I'm excited Kendall will get to see the way this kid plays. He's so much more talented than I ever was at his age. He's more determined, too. He has dreams of being in the Majors and joining that miniscule list of deaf players to make it to the pros. He'll never let anything stand in the way of what he loves and I admire him more than he'll ever possibly understand.
I call the boys in and our starting pitcher, Colton, signs to Brody to tell him the game's about to start. Colton isn't deaf but he's been playing on my team since the beginning. He's picked up so much sign language over the past three years and he's Brody's best friend. The two of them have a love for the game that isn't forced or exaggerated. It's pure. When I watch the talent out on the field it's hard to believe these boys have only been playing for three years. My team is the best eight and under team in the state and would give some older teams a run for their money.
As the boys hustle over to the bench so I can give them my pre-game talk, I look over to the stands again and there she is, dressed in our team colors. She's wearing tight denim jeans that flaunt every curve and a black V-neck t-shirt. She's got on a pair of sexy black knee high boots that I can't help imagine her wearing with nothing else on. Her hair is down and on top of her head is the black and red baseball cap I gave her with our team name on the front. She wears our colors better than anyone, and when she smiles my way I'm happy. It's the first time I feel like I made the right decision inviting her here.
A hand taps my shoulder and when I turn around Brody is signing to me. "Your friend is watching and I'm nervous."
I sign back. "Don't be nervous. She knows nothing about baseball. She just wants to see you play."
"Is she your girlfriend?"
"No. She's my friend. She wants to be your friend."
"I like her."
Rolling my eyes I rub his head with my hand before signing, "Get your head in the game. We can talk about Kendall later."
He sits down with the rest of the team and once I have everyone's attention, I sign and speak simultaneously.
"When we played the Mustangs for the championship in the Memorial Day tournament we only beat them by one run. They're a tough team so we need to be focused out on the field and try our best. The starting line-up is on the clipboard hanging by the bats. Brody is our catcher in today's game and Colton will pitch. Remember the rules when Brody is out there. If there is a pop fly near the backstop make sure to see if Brody is going for it. If he does, back off and back him up. We don't want any collisions. Be prepared and alert. You're all a team–play like one.
"The field is a little wet from all the rain we got last night. Coach Ryder couldn't make the game today so Isaiah's dad will be coaching on first. He knows the signs and if you have any doubts you can always check with me at third. Evan is pitching for the Mustangs and his first pitch tends to be wild so don't be surprised if I have you take the first pitch when you're up to bat. Other than that, remember to have fun. If you make an error, shake it off. Don’t let it get to your head because if you think about it too much you'll continue to make errors and it could cost us the game. Even the best players make mistakes. The difference between a great player and an average one is the ability to shake off your mistake and continue to try better.
"Anyone have any questions?" None of the boys do so we say our cheer and I go meet the other coach and the ump at home plate to go over the rules. Brody, who is also our team captain, is by my side. The coach for the Mustangs has his captain with him, too, and when the ump tosses the game coin to decide which team is home and which team is away, the captain for the Mustangs yells, "Heads," and we watch the coin fall to the dirt. A tails sign is revealed, which means we get to pick if we're home or away. Brody signs home and then we're back in the dugout and my team is grabbing their mitts and running out onto the field.
I take the brief moment I have before the game starts to peek back over to Kendall. I'm desperately hoping she's not bored. Her eyes are fixated on the field and she doesn't even notice me watching her.
Yep, I definitely don't regret inviting her to the game. I'm glad she's here.