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A middle-aged electronics salesman realizes his dream of playing baseball for a local big league team.

Returning to the field, David was still fired-up about his BP session, especially the home run. He couldn’t wait to tell everyone that he hit a baseball out of Bayview Park, even though it was off a slow, hanging curveball.
Still unaware of what was about to happen, he noticed that the protective screens had been removed and that Gadsden was warming up on the mound. And, looking as if they were about to work on defensive drills or commence an intrasquad game, the players had taken their normal positions on the field. All of the regulars were out there, with the exception of Sanchez, who was replaced in left field by Tom Mandel.
Pittman then sprung yet another surprise on him. “So, David, have you ever dreamed or thought about what it might be like to actually face a real big league pitcher?”
“Certainly, Skip. Who hasn’t?”
A plethora of questions began to swirl through David’s mind. Was Pittman seriously thinking about pushing the envelope and letting him face Gadsden? Why would he do that and what could it possibly prove? Was the manager really that enamored with his hitting ability, or was it just whimsical curiosity?
Big league clubs often conducted local tryouts in quest of new and raw talent. They all longed for that “diamond in the rough”””a young and inexpensive kid who might eventually develop into an impact player. However, those tryouts normally took place in the springtime or early summer, and weren’t open to forty-five year-old men like David. Furthermore, players discovered at those tryouts were usually assigned to the rookie league or lower Class A clubs within their minor league system along with the players acquired via the June major league draft.
Putting his hand on David’s shoulder, Pittman said, “We’re gonna give you that opportunity right now. That is, if you want it.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” David was astounded by the manager’s offer.
“Well, let me put it this way. I’ve seen a lot of natural hitters in my day. After watching you swing the bat on Saturday and again today, I believe you have a gift. And I think Roy agrees with me.”
Nodding his head in agreement, Mathis said, “I concur with the skipper, David.”
“Skip, I certainly don’t wanna look a gift horse in the mouth, but do you really think I stand a chance against a pitcher like Gadsden? I mean, he’s quite a leap from the pitchers in the amateur league.”
“Well, that’s what we wanna find out,” the manager replied. “Is it a giant leap? No doubt about it. You may not even put the ball in play. So what? If that happens, no one will think any less of you. Even if you do hit the kid, it doesn’t mean anything’s gonna come of it. The point is, we’re curious to know if you can do it””and, deep down inside, I believe that you’re even more curious than we are. If you don’t at least give it a try, you’ll never know.”
It was then Mathis’ turn to inspire David.
“Son, I’m sure you have a great family and a good life. And, if you wanna just walk away, that’s okay. Everyone here will understand. But, like the skipper said, if you don’t stand in against that cocky kid on the mound, you’ll never know what you’re capable of doing, and it’s unlikely you’ll ever get another opportunity like this. It’s your call, David. What’s it gonna be?”
Immensely inspired by their words, David decided it was time to put everything in its proper perspective. First and foremost, he loved the game of baseball, which had always been a big part of his life. And, despite his apprehension about playing on Saturday, he had to admit that it felt completely natural. Walking away from baseball after Danny’s accident was his choice and his alone. That was what his heart told him to do at the time. Although his spirit was crushed, the dream survived””and lay dormant for twenty-nine years.
David believed that everything happened for a reason. There was a reason why Charlie asked him to play on Lenny’s team. There was also a reason why Lester Pittman attended that game and subsequently invited him to the workout. It suddenly became crystal clear that he not only wanted, but needed to seize this opportunity””not just for himself, but also for Danny.
Reaching deeply into his soul, David searched for and found the spirit of that tenacious young boy who grew up playing ball in El Cajon. Laying aside all doubts and fears, he looked Pittman in the eye and softly, but confidently said, “All right. Let’s do it!”

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Copyright 2008 Dean Whitney. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.