Chapter 2, Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Tommy Santos
“Hey Tommy! Aren’t you excited for the game?” Rosella, Bex’s mom, asks.
“Yeah! I am Mrs. Pop!” I reply.
Can’t believe I’m going to see my first baseball game where Bex plays. Of course I’m going with the Pops. Specifically her older brothers: Brenden, Lorenzo, and Ken; plus their parents: Rosella and Todd. You know I hope I have fun!
“Just remember Tommy, just don’t root for anyone that aren’t the Hunters!” Brenden jokes out, I guess he does live up to his reputation which Bex told me about
“I promise… I mean I have several reasons to support the Hunters anyways.”
As we head towards our seats, I observe the stadium. I'll say it's medium sized; definitely not as big as Oracle Park but also not as small as like your average high school or public park field. Our seats are at the center right of the stadium, having a perfect view of the pitcher’s mound. It’s quite important actually, considering Bex is the pitcher on her team. Once we get used to our seats, Ken asks us a question.
“I’ll go get some drinks, does anyone care to join me?”
Seeing that no one immediately responded, I decided to join, “Uh… I can!”
“Sounds good! Do you guys want anything?”
“Kids meal, but just the crayons!” Lorenzo snickers out, causing the group to laugh; “Being serious, just some popcorn.”
“Sounds good smarty pants!” Ken jokes out, soon after I follow him to the concession stands.
“So Tommy, what do you want to order?”
“Uh you know Ken, I rarely get to eat a soft pretzel; I basically just eat the small hard ones.”
“Aw nice, I heard here if you buy a pretzel you get the soda cup for free.”
“Oh wow, that’s nice.”
Once it’s our turn in line, I order the pretzel, and Ken orders fries for him and a big tub of popcorn for Lorenzo and the rest of the Pop clan. For my soda, I get Cherry Coke, it’ll be good luck as Bex loves Cherry Coke. We return to the stand, just in time for the National Anthem and the introductions of the teams. We stand as a local high school band play the “Star Spangled Banner.”
As it ends, we hear the announcer on the microphone, “Ladies and Gentlemen! Let’s welcome the Bay Area Hunters and the Santa Barbara Bears to today’s baseball game!”
We all clap, well I can’t wait to see this game!
7 innings later
3-4, this game couldn’t be as close as it is right now… Now that we’re in the last inning, I better hope we get a lucky homer. I see the Hunters are up to bat. I turn to my right, where Ken is sitting next to me.
“You think there’s a chance we might win?”
“I don’t know Tommy, but I have hope we’ll win.”
“Are you sure it isn’t because you ran out of Cherry Coke?” Brenden and Lorenzo say in unison.
“Maybe?” I reply.
I see one of the players from the Hunters walk up to the home plate, ready to swing. The pitcher throws the ball, she swings, and makes a single! Ah nice, I just hope we can keep this up… The next player goes up, she swings. I see the ball fly into the air; but it sadly lands in one of the Bears’ gloves. Oh well; at least the first player was about to make it to second base. Now, I finally see Bex go up to the plate. To be honest, I kinda want to be like my mom or one of my aunts in my own events where they’re like “¡Tómas! ¡Buena suerte!” just as I’m on my way to like a robotics competition. Bex is finally on the home plate, just about to make her swing. I can hear my heartbeat, as I get a little tense at this moment. I overhear the announcer make some few comments:
“Well up on the plate is number 23, Bex Pop, the pitcher of the Hunters; often cited as one of the best players on the team.”
She takes her first swing, it’s a miss… Now I feel even more nervous, will we be able to win after all? I take a peek at her next swing, it’s a ball; landing in the foul area. Well maybe the 3rd time’s the charm… I look back towards Brenden, Lorenzo, and Ken; asking them the question we all probably have on our minds.
“I don’t know, would we even win?”
“Shh Tommy, don’t worry Becky got it.” Lorenzo replies.
I nod in agreement, returning my vision back towards the field. Bex hits the ball, sending it flying into the air, right into the back of the stadi- It’s a Home Run! The Hunters are going to win! In unison, me, the Pops, and practically every Hunters fan in the stadium to celebrate.
“That’s my girl!” Todd exclaims!
The end of the game is called, as the rest of the team rushes in to celebrate, practically this entire stadium is like a concert, everyone cheering and jumping around; even the announcers go ham.
“THE HUNTERS DID IT! 5-4, YET ANOTHER WONDERFUL COMEBACK!”
Just about an hour or so later, we see the rest of the team and most importantly Bex walks out to greet us. Her parents immediately run over to greet her.
“Congrats Bex! You did wonderful out there!” Her mom says.
“That’s my girl! Always proving herself!” Her dad then adds on.
Soon the rest of her siblings greet her.
“Good job Becky!” Ken is the first to exclaim.
“Wonderful as always.” Lorenzo then follows up with.
“You did good, little sis.” Brenden is the last to add.
They do their usual hugs, and Bex does some handshakes with her brothers. Finally, it’s my turn to say my congratulations, I don’t really know what else I can say without sounding like a broken record, so when she goes up to me; I kiss her on her freckled cheek and hug her tight.
“Love you Bex, you did good.”
“Love you Tommy.”