Fred Bowen - Playoff Dreams

C rack! As soon as Cubs center fielder Brendan Fanning heard the bat smack the ball, he was off, chasing a high fly ball soaring toward right center field. Brendans mind was racing as fast as his feet. Runner on second, nobody out, he thought. The runner will be trying to tag up.

I got it. I got it, Brendan called out, keeping his eye on the falling ball. Brendan, a lefty, got under the ball, reached up with his gloved right hand, and snagged it out of the air.

The runner at second tagged up and bolted for third base. But Brendans throw to Josh Cohen, the Cubs third baseman, was right on target. The ball sailed low and hard, skipping once on the infield dirt toward Joshs glove. The runner slid into third base in a cloud of dust and dirt. Leaning over the bag, the umpire spread his arms wide. Safe! he shouted.

What? Brendan yelped from the outfield. As the base runner brushed himself off at third base, Brendan saw Josh lean over to pick up the baseball lying in the infield dirt.

Brendans shoulders slumped and he slammed an angry fist into his glove. My throw was perfect, Brendan thought as he trudged back to center field, and Josh blew it.

Four hits and three runs later, the Cubs jogged slowly off the field. Brendan glanced back at the scoreboard.

Boy, its gonna be a long season, Brendan muttered to himself.

Mr. DeCastro, the Cubs coach, shouted encouragement to his team. Come on, kids! Two more innings. We can get em back. Top of the order. Michael, Tasha, Brendan. Look those pitches over. We need base runners. Lets get a rally going!

The inning started badly. Michael Mitchell grounded out to shortstop and Tasha Jackson hit a pop fly that fell right into the center fielders glove. Brendan stepped to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning in a 90 game.

Brendan dug his left foot into the back of the left-handed batters box. He tapped the outside and inside edges of the plate with the end of the bat. Holding the bat loosely in his strong hands, Brendan cocked the bat above his shoulder and stared out at the Reds pitcher. He was ready to hit.

The Reds pitcher fired a fastball toward the inside half of the plate. Brendan uncoiled his strong, smooth swing and lashed the first pitch down the right-field line. He sprinted to first base, thinking about extra bases with every stride. Rounding first base and halfway to second, Brendan looked over his shoulder to see the Reds outfielder still fumbling with the ball. Brendan set his sights on third base and turned on his speed. Fifteen feet from the bag, Brendan hurled himself headlong into third base. Brendan stretched out his hands and grabbed the bag a second before the third baseman slammed his glove into Brendans back.

Safe! A triple.

Brendan called time out and brushed the dirt from the front of his Cubs uniform.

Nice hit, congratulated Kyle McCleery, the Cubs third-base coach. I didnt think you were going to make it.

No sweat, Brendan replied. Now lets see if someone can get me home.

But Brendan never got any farther than third base. Cubs pitcher Marcus Cooper sent a high pop fly to the Reds shortstop. Brendan jogged in and touched home plate as the ball settled into the shortstops glove to end the inning. The score was still 90.

Brendan grabbed his glove off the bench and started to run out to center field when Mr. DeCastro stopped him.

Im going to give Amy a chance to play center field for an inning, Brendan, the Cubs coach said. You take the rest of the game off. As Brendan turned toward the bench with his head hanging low, Mr. DeCastro patted him on the back and said, Nice hit. Were going to need a lot of hits like those from our star player this year.

Brendan took a seat at the end of the bench, stretched out his legs, and watched the rest of the game. He knew it was hopeless. The Reds added two more runs in the top of the sixth while the Cubs went down in order to end the game.

Mr. DeCastro tried to take the sting out of the 110 loss. Tough game, kids. Well get em next time. There are still a lot of games left this season.

Brendan and Josh gathered their equipment from the Cubs bench.

You heading home? Josh asked. He and Brendan lived on the same street.

Yeah, Brendan nodded. The two friends trudged up a long hill leading away from the baseball field.

Sorry about that throw in the fifth inning, Josh said, breaking the silence. It was right in my glove. No way I should have missed it.

Thats okay, Brendan lied and kept walking.

Man, 110! Brendan finally blurted out as the boys neared their street. Looks like were never gonna make the playoffs.

We can still do it, Josh said bravely. Remember what Mr. DeCastro said, There are still a lot of games left this season.

Brendan laughed. Thats what worries me, he said, turning for home.