Take Me Out

The batter kept his eyes on the pitcher and ignored the barely-audible stream of muttering.

“…oh-please-no-oh-here-it-comes-here-it-comes-no-please-no-no…”

The ball screamed toward the plate. There was a sharp crack and two piercing shrieks as the batter swung and connected. A dopplering cry trailed off to left field.

The outfielder gauged his distance, shifted, and raised his glove. The ball was done screaming by the time it landed, but it whimpered in his hands.

”…let-it-end-let-it-end-oh-please-no-more…”

He grasped the ball and threw it to the infield. It went wild. He stood there, arms and legs shaking.

Most rookies didn’t last out a full season.