Member-only story
Ground Rule Double — a story
When you’re done with the story, go click play and watch this kid hit.
Twelve-year-old Jake Parker stood on the pitcher’s mound, sweat dripping down his forehead. The summer sun blazed, but he didn’t mind. This was his favorite place in the world. The sound of the crowd, the smell of freshly cut grass, the feel of the leather glove on his hand — it was perfect.
Jake glanced at his coach, Mr. Thompson, who gave a subtle nod. It was the signal for a fastball. Jake wiped his brow, gripped the ball tight, and set his stance. He focused on the batter, a tall kid from the rival team, the Tigers. The batter sneered, swinging his bat in confident arcs.
“You got this, Jake!” shouted his best friend, Sam, from first base. Jake gave a slight nod. He took a deep breath, wound up, and threw the ball with all his might.
The ball zipped through the air, a blur of white against the green field. The batter swung and missed. The crowd erupted in cheers. Jake’s team, the Hawks, were up by one run. They just needed one more out to win the game.
Jake’s parents sat in the bleachers, cheering louder than anyone else. His dad, a former baseball player himself, looked proud. His mom, wearing her lucky Hawks cap, had her…
