113 Game Three: San Marino 8 (2/2)

I looked solely at Mr. Miller as I ran. Coach said to listen to him or I'd be screwed. He was waving me on to third. I put some more effort in, touched second and sprinted as fast as I could to third.

”No slide.” He instructed.

I safely stopped on third and turned back to see Mahki avoid a tag at second. 6-0, the lead was growing bigger. I struggled to catch my breath as Zeke stepped up to the plate. No doubt, ready to cause more damage to the scoreboard, by scoring more runs.

The pitcher was red in the face at this point, showing no composure. He glared down Zeke like he was looking for a fight, not even sparing attention to me and Mahki. As soon as the umpire got in position behind the catcher, the pitcher threw a bullet at Zeke. Literally at him, not even pretending to pitch to the strike zone.

Zeke's eyes narrowed and tried stepping back out of the way, but he still nailed him in the thigh on the side.

”Whoa!”

”Ump!”

Coach stormed out of the dugout. ”That was deliberate! Now what do you have to say?? They're even blatantly going after my best player!”

The umpire pointed at the pitcher then gave the motion to eject him, sending the whole crowd into a frenzy. He pointed at Zeke to take his base. The San Marino coach came out and started to argue the ejection. The three of them started to get in a heated discussion.

I looked up at Mr. Miller.

He patted the top of my helmet. ”The San Marino guy is just buying time for a new catcher to warm up. He knows his player was in the wrong. Look at their bullpen.”

Sure enough they had someone throwing in there. The pitcher to throw the dead ball was escorted off the field and out of the dugout by the second base umpire. Zeke stood on first, looking unaffected. The discussion went on for a bit, until the home plate ump took a step back and pointed at our dugout. Then at San Marino's.

I glanced up at Mr. Miller, not knowing what that meant. He made a face. ”He's warning both teams. From here on out, any dangerous play will be met with an ejection.” He gave me a smile. ”That's good news for you Bambi.”

True. I wasn't out to hurt anybody, and I especially was wary of anyone hurting me. The coaches went back to their respective dugouts as a new pitcher came onto the mound.