Leo was fidgeting in the dugout, it was the bottom of the 9th and he was up to bat next. They were only down 2 points, but the other team’s outfielders were amazingly good at catching the ball. He glanced up to where Sal was seated, giving a small smile and wave before refocusing on the game. There was the pitch, a fast ball, thankfully Leo’s team had anticipated that. Their batter managed to land a solid hit, and the ball screamed behind the first baseman, bouncing on the ground and making a 45° left off of a rock in the field. The sudden turn surprised the outfielders, and they scrambled for the ball. Leo’s teammate booked it across first base, then second! An outfielder finally got ahold of the ball and shot it across the diamond to the shortstop. Leo’s teammate chanced it and kept going, he’d barely avoided the shortstop’s reach. The shortstop hastily threw it to the third baseman. The third baseman fumbled the catch! Leo’s teammate managed to get his foot on the base mere seconds before being tagged with the ball. He was safe.
Leo let out a breath before standing up, and grabbing his lucky bat. He needed to hit it hard enough to get past those outfielders. He spit on the ground as the third baseman threw in the ball in exchange for a rather dark colored ball. It almost looked as if it had stripes. Leo lined up with the home plate, waiting for the pitch. They fired a screwball at him, and he missed. He got ready again, this time he nodded at the pitcher. The pitcher nodded back. They threw the ball perfectly, it landed right on the sweet spot of Leo’s bat. He sent it flying, much faster than he’d ever seen a ball go, right where he wanted it. Into the audience.
