Drew had always been alone. He never had any friends in school. The other kids in the neighborhood didn’t want to talk to him. He went to school at seven in the morning and returned home at five in the afternoon. But that was four years ago. Now, Drew doesn’t go to school anymore. He dropped out. He wasn’t interested in studies. Nor was interested in making friends, getting his license, driving a car, getting drunk, getting into fights or getting laid. All Drew ever wanted to do, was play baseball. He didn’t collect baseball cards. He thought baseball cards were stupid. He didn’t have a favorite team. He just loved baseball. He had been whacking balls in his basement for a long time. It was time he took it to the diamond. The Los Angeles Dodgers were in town and they were talent scouting for their junior team. Drew had waited his whole life for an opportunity like this. He was not going to miss it for the world.
Drew snapped back to reality. He had drifted into a flashback for a bit. Drew was in his basement. He put his bat into the bag. He slung his shoes around his shoulder. The door clicked shut as Drew closed it after him as he left the house. The clouds in the sky above were floating merrily as Drew started the car. He pulled out of the drive-way and sped off. He parked at a car park nearest to the pitch. He walked to the changing room. Drew could hear the voices clearly. No one bothered to keep their voice down.
‘Damn! Look at that dude.. He gonna play baseball with them pair of shoes?’
Drew was not what you might call well to do. Maybe that’s why his parents never encouraged him to play baseball. But his social-economic status never bothered him none. All he wanted to do, was play baseball. All changed and ready, Drew stepped out onto the stadium. He went to the bench. There was at least 45 people there, waiting to be tried. He sat down amongst the rest. None of what was going on around seemed to register into Drew’s head. He was waiting his turn.
‘Drew O’ Conners!”
That was his cue. He picked up his bat and walked out into the diamond pitch. The grass was freshly mown. He could feel the pressure building on.
‘Let’s see what you got, kid.’
He took his place on the pitch. The catcher was behind him. The pitcher was in front of him. The talent scouts were on his left. This was it. The pitcher was saying something to Drew. He heard none of it. Blood was pounding in his ears. He could feel the adrenaline in his blood. All he wanted to do was smash that ball into tiny bits. He swung his bat into position. He looked up to the pitcher. A trickle of sweat rolled off Drew’s brow. The pitcher wound up. He drew his arm back. He was going to deliver a fast ball. Drew knew it. The ball left the pitcher. It was flying towards him. Drew swung his bat. A dull sound echoed across the stadium. Drew looked at his bat. It was broken. It lay on the floor, splintered. The ball was no where in sight. He had hit it straight out of the stadium. It was a home run. The pitcher had gone to get another ball. The catcher behind was stretching his legs. The scout was scribbling on his clipboard. He looked up. Drew looked at him. The scout smiled and went back to his clipboard. The pitcher came back with another bat. It was a good beginning, thought Drew. He smiled as he swung the bat into position again. He loved baseball.
