Fred Bowen - Throwing Heat

B et you cant.

Bet you I can. Jack Lerner and three of his friends walked swiftly through the Landon Middle School spring fair. The sun was shining and the parking lot was crowded with kids and their families.

Jack led the way past the moon bounce, the plant sale, the used-book sale, and a roped-off section where members of the band were painting little kids faces.

So wheres the baseball booth? Jack asked, looking around. I want to see how fast I can throw. He was taller than his friendsall eighth graders at Landonand his long stride kept him out in front.

In the games section, near the basketball courts, said Danny Cruz, Jacks best buddy. You cant miss it.

You only have three chances to throw 75 miles an hour, said Jaylin Jackson. Its not so easy.

Jack didnt say anything. He kept walking, fast.

I bet Jack can throw at least that fast, Danny said, scrambling to catch up.

No way, Annie Li said. I pitch softball and I throw about 50 miles an hour. Thats pretty fast.

So what? Danny said. Youre not the best athlete in the school like Jack here.

Jack smiled to himself as his friend continued to brag about him.

He set the record in the softball throw and the rope climb last fall, Danny pointed out to no one in particular. He even won the Ping-Pong tournament.

Yeah, but 75 miles an hour? Thats almost as fast as major league pitchers, Jaylin said.

By now Jack was several strides ahead of his friends, but he could still hear them arguing.

Jack struck out almost everybody in our league with his fastball last year, Danny insisted.

But that was from 46 feet, Jaylin said. Were in the Rising Stars League now. Hes got to throw from 60 feet 6 inches this year.

Jack stopped at the edge of the games section and turned around to face his friends. Okay, so Danny and I say I can do it, Jack said. He pointed at Jaylin and Annie. And you guys say I cant.

Right. Jaylin and Annie nodded.

So what are we betting? Jack asked with a confident smile. He glanced at the two long tables covered with plates of cookies, cakes, and brownies for the bake sale. His mouth was already starting to water. How about if I throw one at seventy-five, he said, you guys have to buy me and Danny some cookies or brownies?

Good idea, Danny said, licking his lips. Ill take cookies and brownies.

And if you dont throw 75 miles per hour,Annie added, you guys have to buy me and Jaylin the cookies and brownies.

Right. Jack thrust out his hand. Deal?

Jaylin and Annie suddenly looked less sure. Wait a minute, Jaylin said. You cant get, like, a million cookies.

Just a bag, Jack said. They only cost a buck.

Jaylin and Annie glanced at each other.

Come on, Jack said, getting impatient. The money goes to the school anyway.

Okay, its a deal. The four friends shook hands. Jack headed toward the baseball-toss booth, and the others trailed along behind him.

On the edge of the parking lot, a ten-foot-high green canvas was stretched between two metal poles. The white outline of a batter holding a bat had been painted on the canvas. To the side of the canvas, something that looked like a camera had been set up on a tripod.

Thats the speed gun, Danny said, pointing. It tells you how fast the pitch is.

Duh, said Annie.

A couple of grown-ups and one kid were already in line, waiting their turns. Jack began to windmill his left arm. I better warm up, he said. Hey, Danny, have you got a ball?

Danny looked at the man taking tickets at the booth. Can we borrow a baseball?

Sure. The man pulled a baseball from the bag tied to his waist and tossed it to Danny. But bring it back when youre done.

Wait a minute, Annie said to Jack. We didnt say you could warm up. She held up three fingers. Three throws, she said. That was the bet.

Are you kidding me? Jack exclaimed. Ive got to warm up. I dont want to hurt my arm.

Its okay, Jaylin assured Annie. Hes pitching in our first game on Tuesday. Wed better let him warm up.

Yeah, Jack said. Coach Bentley would kill us if I got hurt messing around right before the season.

After a few easy tosses, Jack got in line. The tall, lean man in front of him took a baseball and got ready to take his last turn.

He looks like a decent athlete, Jaylin whispered to Jack. He should be able to throw pretty hard.

Well see, Jack replied.

The man wound up and hurled the ball at the canvas. The ball landed with a thud! Jack and his friends all turned to check the small box that flashed the pitch speed in large, red numbers.

Looks like the speed guns a little slow, Danny said. I thought that throw might hit at least seventy.

The gun seems okay to me. Annie smiled.

The tall man stepped away and Jack handed over his ticket for three baseballs.

Looks like we have a real major leaguer here and hes a lefty, too, said the man in charge. Okay, kid, lets see your best fastball.

Jack went into his windup. His left arm whipped by his ear and the ball smacked against the canvas with the same explosive thud.

Jack looked at the box.

Whoa! the man said, his head snapping back in surprise. Seventy. Thats the fastest pitch Ive seen all day.

Not fast enough, Jaylin muttered.

Jack grabbed the second ball. This time he reached back for a little something extra and let the ball rip.

Thud!

He quickly checked the speed box.

Wow! the man shouted. This kid can really bring the heat.

Still not fast enough, Annie said.

Hes got one more ball, Danny reminded everyone. Come on, Jack, give it everything you got.

Jack tossed the final baseball up and down a couple times and took a few deep breaths. Finally, he wound up and threw with every ounce of his strength.

Thwack! The ball smacked the canvas like a clap of thunder.

Oh, no! I cant believe it! Jaylin shouted.

I told you he could do it, Danny said. Take it from me, hes gonna strike out everybody on Tuesday.

Jack just smiled. Now how about those cookies? he said, turning toward his friends. Im feeling kind of hungry.