This story was written after seeing the practise game of the Dutch baseball team against Team USA on July 28 2007 in Durham.
SURPRISE FOR MITCH
In the deepest secret Adam Cartwright had arranged tickets for an evening game of the baseball club Carson City Diamonds. The tickets were for him and his nine year old son Mitch. Mitch was mad about baseball played also in the youth team which Adam coached.
That morning Adam said during breakfast, “Mitch, I come to get you straight after school because we are going somewhere tonight.”
“Fine. Where are we going to?”, the boy asked directly.
“Where you prefer to go to school instead of school”, his father answered.
Mitch understood it right away and asked excited, “Great daddy. Are we going to a game of the Carson City Diamonds?”
“Yes, so don’t make any plans for this evening”, said Adam.
They ate on where after Adam brought Mitch to school like each school day.
The day went by far too slowly for Mitch. He did his best to behave himself which even his teacher Abigail Jones noticed.
In the lunch break she said, “Mitch, why are you so good today? I don’t know you at all this way.”
“Daddy takes me this evening to a baseball game of the Carson City Diamonds. He comes to get me later and then we go straight to the stadium”, Mitch told excited.
Abigail nodded and went to her class room. Barry Parkinson walked to the young Cartwright to start a row.
“I really don’t understand what there is so fun at a baseball game. Hockey is much more fun”, he said.
“I don’t like hockey. Baseball is not just a sport. It is a way of life. But you will never understand that”, answered Mitch.
Matthew Walker, the best friend of Mitch, agreed with him.
“They can always use you at baseball”, he said.
“Why? It doesn’t interest me at all”, Barry said amazed.
“Matthew, you can’t give the bats that pain when Barry joins them”, Mitch reacted dry.
They left Barry behind and went to throw over to each other at the school yard
At half past 1 Adam went to school to pick up his son. He knew that the school ended at 3 o’clock on the Friday afternoon and that Mitch always waited for him.
Mitch saw his father already waiting and said to Matthew, “I tell you all about the game tomorrow.”
“Alright. Have fun”, said Matthew.
Mitch ran to the Mercedes and got in. Adam drove away quickly for not to be addressed by Abigail Jones.
“Ab Jones was amazed that I have been so good today. When she heard why that was she pretended that she understood it. But I doubt it”, Mitch said underway.
“I think so too that she doesn’t understand it. But that is her problem. We are going nicely to a baseball game together. I have taken your scoring book along”, said Adam.
After riding a while the Cartwrights arrived at the baseball stadium of the Carson City Diamonds. Adam parked the Mercedes and looked at his son.
“We are here kid. Are you coming or do you stay in the car?”, Adam asked teasing.
“I have a better idea: you stay in the car and I am going to watch the game”, Mitch answered quick-witted.
“In your dreams!”, Adam said smiling.
They got out.
“Must my coat taken along too?”, asked Mitch.
“Yes, because when it becomes twilight it is a lot colder right away”, said Adam.
They walked to the cash box where Adam paid for the tickets. Mitch got a scoring card, information booklet and a key chain of the Carson City Diamonds. He put the things in his backpack right away.
“Mitch, we are going to eat soon”, Adam said when they were inside.
“May I have a portion of chips with a milkshake?”, Mitch asked hopeful.
“Of course. But first we are going to look for a good seat at the tribune”, answered Adam.
Mitch knew exactly what thé perfect seat was to see everything well. He went ahead of his father and took 2 seats in occupation. Adam put the coats and the backpack of Mitch down and looked at his son.
“I am going to get the food and you stay here”, said Adam.
Mitch nodded. Adam walked away while Mitch looked at his scoring card, information booklet and a key chain. After that the things went back into the bag pack. The young Cartwright had his glove tight and looked at the still empty field. He thought:’ In a few years time I play here too.’
In the club house Adam ran into an old friend Steve Taylor.
“Adam Cartwright! What are you doing here?”, Steve asked smiling.
“I am here with my son Mitch for the evening game. He is a big and loyal supporter of the Carson City Diamonds”, said Adam.
“I am their third base coach. We get the meals for free. So if you want a meal, just leave it to me”, said Steve.
“Well, in that case: Mitch wants to have a portion of chips with a big mocha milkshake. And for me 3 hamburgers with bread”, said Adam.
Steve walked away and came back a moment later with the whole order. They walked to Mitch who was still looking at the field where meanwhile the batting practise had started.
“Mitch, this is Steve Taylor, the third base coach of the Carson City Diamonds. Steve, my son Mitch”, said Adam.
They shook hands.
“I might have something for you. But now the team needs me”, said Steve.
He went away and Adam gave the chips and milkshake to his son and came then to sit next to him.
“Do you know each other?”, asked Mitch.
“Yes, we are friends for many years. But we lost each other out of sight. I didn’t know that he was working here”, answered Adam.
“Daddy, in a few years time I play here too”, Mitch said full of self-confidence.
“I will surely believe that and I know for sure that you will succeed in it too”, said Adam.
Steve came at half past 6 to the Cartwrights with a ball and a shirt for Mitch.
“Mitch, all players of the Carson City Diamonds have signed this ball and this shirt is for you”, Steve said while he gave the ball and the shirt to the youngest Cartwright.
Mitch received it and said, “Wow cool. Thanks Mr Taylor.”
He looked at the ball and put it then into his backpack for the security. The shirt got put on right away.
At 19.00 hours the game began. Adam helped Mitch with scoring the game. It was really the evening of Mitch because he caught two balls during the game.
“I give one to Matthew tomorrow”, Mitch said when he had caught the second ball.
“He will like that very much”, said Adam.
The Carson City Diamonds won the game easily from the Las Vegas Gamblers. The final score was a 10-0 victory for the home team.
When the field was empty Adam said, “Kid, I have bad news for you.”
“Oh yeah? And that is?”, Mitch asked worried.
“The game is over and we must go home again”, his father answered.
With great reluctance Mitch went back home. But he has had a great evening and no one ever could take that away from him anymore.