Dylan H 5CA

Pitching A No Hitter

                              

It was a bright and sunny day. There were no clouds in the sky. The baseball field was perfect to play on. You couldn’t ask for a better day at Camp Starlight for baseball.

             It was Olympics. The summer of 2010. I was on the blue team. The other team was white. I was ridiculously nervous and excited. It was because it was predicted to be one of the closest games ever and I was the starting pitcher. I had a lot a pressure on me. We were also the home team. That means we are in the field first. And we get last licks at the end of the game if we are losing.

             As the game got underway I grew less nervous. I felt really good. The first inning went by quickly and both teams went down 1-2-3. In the second I walked two people but then I struck out the next three. In the bottom of the second we got a runner at second base and I was up. The first pitch I swung at and CRACK! The ball met the bat and I hit a double to bring in a run and take the lead 1-0. The next batter hit a fly ball that was caught to end the inning.

             In the third inning I lost my velocity and walked the bases loaded. Thankfully, I struck out the next 3 batters. I was still pitching a no-hitter. We went up to bat and hit very well. We had runners on first and second base with 2 outs. Spencer Weinoff one of our best players was up. He hit a triple and scored two runs for us to go up 3-0. But there was a lot of time left for them to come back. The next inning I struck out 2 batters and got the other one to fly out.

             With 1 out I came up to bat with runners on first and second. The count quickly went to 3-2. Big pitch coming up. The pitcher heaved it in and it was about belt high. I swung and CRACK! A shot down the line. I was screaming “Go fair! “Go fair”. It was going to be close. But then, sadly I heard the umpire scream “Foul Ball”! “NO” I screamed. That would have probably won the game. The white team caught a big break. All of my teammates were shocked to because it looked like it was clearly going fair and there was no wind but it curved to a foul ball. I thought to myself that is in possible. I got ready for the next pitch and I heard my coach say “Come on Dylan you got this, just do what you did before but this time put the ball in play. I answered back “I will try”.

             The pitcher got ready and threw it, the next pitch looked the same so I swung at it and once again... CRACK! This time, it was a no doubter. “FAIR BALL” screamed the umpire. I quickly rounded first, to second, to third, and I didn't stop until a HOMERUN! Were winning 6-0. I got jumped on like crazy. My coach called me over and said “I told you if you did the same thing you would hit in fair territory, awesome job”.

             After I was up, we started to hit the ball.  A couple batters later Spencer Weinoff hit a grand slam! My homerun was totally forgotten but who cares. We were winning 10-0 and everyone thought it was going to be a close game. Nothing happened the rest of the inning and the rally ended. I pitched another 1-2-3 inning. My no-hitter was still in tack.

             And then when we came up to bat, we got shut down 1-2-3. One more inning to get through and I will be pummeled by my teammates.

             The first batter was Owen Baim my best friend from camp. He is good at most sports but baseball is not really his thing. But he isn’t even that bad at it. My First pitches were two strikes and one ball. My next pitch all I heard of what I’ve been hearing all day “Strike Three” screamed the umpire. “Yes” I screamed. 1 down two to go.

             All pressure I felt in the beginning of the game was all inside me again. The next batter that came up to bat was a very short kid and crazy fast. His name is Ryan Kessler. He is good at every sport except hockey. The first pitch I threw was a ball. The second pitch he connected with and... CRACK! “No” I thought. I watched it fly but the outfielder was gaining on it. In my head I was saying “catch it “catch it”. And sure enough I watched the outfielder make one of the best catches I have ever seen in my life with full body extenuation. “Few” I said to my self loudly. That was so close. Now, just one more out to go.

             Now the last batter I was facing was my best friend. His name was Zach Strober. He is one of the best hockey players I know. He is also pretty good baseball. On the very first pitch I gave him he popped it up. My put my hand up signaling it was for the infield. Spencer at shortstop called for it and caught it! Game Over! Finally, I had pitched a no hitter. All of my teammates ran towards me and jumped on me.  UNBELIEVIBLE! I was getting jumped on like crazy just like I predicted. I got lifted up on a counselors shoulder and got carried off the field. It was the best feeling I have ever had.

YEAH!!!