Sean holds his aluminum bat level as the fastball reaches him
and the ball dribbles down the chalk line
the third baseman charges the plate until I can see
triangles made of eye black
dripping down his jaws.
“Let it go!” the ump yells
as the ball trickles foul
and guys wrapped in red and white jerseys lean against the dugout railing and shout
“Come on Sean!”
as he squints
at the ball as it leaves the pitcher’s fingertips
red stitching blurring into white
and he swings and misses the third strike –
but the catcher drops the ball.
“Go, go, go, go!” his teammates yell
so he dashes to first
the catcher picks up the ball
throws it
nails Sean at the base of his skull
and he stops.
“Come on, man,” says the ump
to the catcher
who doesn’t reply
but only glances at his teammates
with a sheepish smile
while Sean holds his helmet
stares at the grass
and waits for an infielder to bring him his glove.
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