A Topps League Story #6: Batter Up!

A Topps League Story #6: Batter Up! — page 3 — Sometimes he would get a turn at the plate or an inning in the outfield He says he hopes to play every day Lance Pantaño translated Lance was a pitcher from Puerto Rico and was fluent in both Spanish and English Diego was from Mexico and spoke only Spanish I knew how Diego felt That’s what it was like for me when I played Little League I got to play but never for the whole game You’ll get a chance Just be patient said Sammy Solaris the designated hitter You’re good in the outfield and you’ve been hitting well in batting practice Lance started to translate but Diego waved at him to stop Entiendo he said which must have meant I understand It was drizzling when the game started The umpires met and decided the game could be played It wasn’t raining very hard at least not yet The fans wore ponchos or raincoats Some made their programs into hats In the top of the second inning a Cougar batter hit a fly ball to deep left field Danny O’Brien ran after it skidded on the damp grass lost his balance and fell down The ball bounced all the way to the wall Danny tried to get up but he was clearly hurt Myung Young ran from center field to get the ball The batter ran all the way to third base After the play the trainer helped Danny off the field Are you all right I asked Danny as he passed through the dugout He looked like he was in a lot of pain I just twisted my ankle he said I’ll be OK

A Topps League Story #6: Batter Up! — page 4 — Prado you’re in said Grumps the manager of the Porcupines His full name was Harry Humboldt but everyone called him Grumps He made the change on his scorecard

A Topps League Story #6: Batter Up! — page 5 — Gracias said Diego He got his glove and ran out to play He got a base hit in his first turn at the plate and batted in a left field run The rain started coming down a lot harder in the sixth inning The game was called but enough innings had been played for the game to be official Danny O’Brien was still in the locker room after the game He had his leg stretched out on the bench and ice packs were taped to his ankle He was reading a paperback book How are you doing Danny Wayne Zane asked him I’m good said Danny He closed the book using his finger Are you sure asked Tommy the third baseman It looked to mark his place like a bad spill Sure I’m sure said Danny with a wince It doesn’t even hurt that much Really He opened his book again but he didn’t look happy I sat on the bench to towel off some of the equipment I liked hanging around the players after the game when they were joking around and ribbing each other Hey what are you reading Wayne asked Danny Trouble on the Mound said Danny It’s a Mike McKay mystery Oh yeah Mike McKay the Sports Detective I’ve read all of them said Wayne I think that’s the one where the pitching coach put the poison in the rosin bag Hey Danny said sputtering I’m only on page thirty

A Topps League Story #6: Batter Up! — page 6 — you just spoiled the ending Oops Wayne went to his locker Danny chucked the book and it bounced off the locker door next to Wayne You missed said Wayne Good thing you’re not a I was right there so I picked up the book and handed it back pitcher to Danny baseman slapped it Do I get three throws for a dollar he asked me I laughed Sure I’ll get you the dollar joked Teddy Larrabee the first Diego Prado walked by on his way to his locker Nice hit today Danny told him offering a hand Diego

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