by Blue Stour
The aggressive hitter, meanwhile, didn’t care.
Kane’s hips stayed shut as his bat entered “the zone”. Mid-way through, the bat contacted the ball, and he sent a scorching line drive up the gap in right-center field.
As the ball headed to the fence, K.T. chugged around first base. The fielder approached the ball as Kane was only a few feet from second. Finally, as the ball hit the first cut-off man, K.T. was about to round third with the game-winning run.
To his surprise, his dad threw both hands into the air. He was putting up the stop sign for his son to slam on the brakes.
Miffed and visibly disappointed, K.T. coasted into third base. The kid was questioning his coach’s decision before he stopped on the base.
“Dad?” K.T. pleaded, looking as if he were going to cry. “I could’ve made it; we would’ve won!”
“TIME!” Kade screamed to the umpire above a screaming crowd to delay the game and give him a chance to speak to his son.
As he called timeout, Dad bent over with his one hand on a knee; his other hand was on his son’s shoulder so he was at K.T.’s eye level.
Seeing the obvious hurt and disappointment in his competitive son’s eyes, Kade felt nothing but pride; he would have reacted the same way as a youngster.
Meanwhile, the fans were obviously irate with the coach. With all the parents and fans doubting his baseball judgment, he began explaining his logic to his first born.
“Son, you don’t have to hit a home run, every single time. Do you trust your teammates?” Dad asked K.T. “I do; I really trust them. There’s nobody out and you’re stuck at third as the winning run. I believe in your teammates, like I do you. I’m sure they’ll drive you home. Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with being stranded at third, son. Look at it as just a rest before you cross the plate.”
Unhappy, K.T. did as he was instructed. He knew he could have scored on his own; he didn’t need help.
The next batter promptly hit a slow-rolling grounder to the second baseman. All of his teammates cheered and rushed to home plate as K.T. crossed the dish with the winning run. Everyone on that side of the backstop was cheering wildly.
Kade applauded loudly as he left the field to shake hands with the losing coach. Michelle, meanwhile, was in the chaotic cluster of celebrating fans in and around the bleachers.
Walking to their car, Kade knew he had a valuable life lesson he could teach to his son. As they greeted Michelle outside the fence, both were beaming with pride.
“That was awesome, buddy,” Michelle said to her son as she high-fived him before kissing her coaching husband. “And you were great, Kader.”
“Yeah, he’s definitely got a gift,” Kade whispered before he turned to Kane as they walked toward their car. “I know you don’t understand why I kept you at third on your hit, do you, son?”
“Nu-uh,” K.T. shot back with a scowl. “I could have scored, Dad.”
“I’m sure you could have, buddy,” Kade explained. “But you have to learn to trust other people.”
At that point, K.T. just shook his head in disagreement. He knew he was the best player on the team. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t win it on his own.
“There’s nothing wrong with being stranded on third, son,” Kade continued as he knelt down to his son’s eye level. “In life, we don’t have to get everything done at once or by ourselves; look at me. Your mom and I were together through high school, then I got stupid and selfish—just like if you had tried to score. After that, I tried forcing happiness by marrying someone else, just like as if you had tried to steal home. Today, I’m back with your mom and about to become a dad, again. Basically, for the third time I’m in a serious relationship. I’m stranded at third and I’m confident that she’ll get us across the plate, son. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I’m staying at third because we’re all going home, together.”
Authors Note:
Watch for Book Two of the
Game Time Series
~Kept on Ice~
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Blue Stour and Sidda Lee Rain
Would like to give a special
THANKS to the
Chase Sanford Band
for providing the music for
the Stranded at Third book trailer.
Visit them at:
www.ChaseSanfordBand.com
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