Tales From Baseball Practice

11.0

Quitting

It's funny.

Ever since my parents put me in tee-ball practice over the summer when I was eight, I knew what I wanted to do.

I was going to be the best.

Every tryouts, I was there. And I always got put on the team.

I was great at every position. 

By high school I was positive that baseball was my life.

I'd get a scholarship. I'd play in college. I'd eventually become part of the major leagues. 

And once I was finished with that, I'd retire. 

But that changed. Drastically.

You came along.

You walked by at 2:19, red scarf around your shoulders, and Dal at your side.

I didn't know how much of an impact you would make. How you'd shake my world, changing everything about it.

And after that night. After the night with you and Dal on the field, staying so long the lights went out on us, I knew what I wanted to do.

I was going to quit the team.

But I didn't know how.

We still barely knew each other. With a few meet ups, and texts exchanged throughout the day, it wasn't like we were best of friends, or even dating.

We just. Knew each other.

But I was still willing to take the risk.

Sacrifice baseball.

Sacrifice college and the major leagues. 

Everything would be so different. 

Not doing baseball every day, it'd be weird. Unnatural.

As the time to tell coach what I was going to do, I began to bargain with myself.

I don't necessarily have to give up baseball. What if whatever is between us goes sour?

What if nothing at all happens between us?

Wouldn't I want to fall back onto baseball, and continue doing what I was so passionate about?

And if I was so passionate about baseball, why would I give it up?

Because I loved you. I loved you so much I was willing to sacrifice anything.

I've known for months the amount of time I devote to practice. To truly be the best. My social life is barely existent. My only friends are those who do baseball with me.

I sent you a message before I did anything.

I would have to scroll up through our conversations to even remember what I even said. 

All I remember was I finally told you how I felt about you, and that I was going to take a break from baseball.

I don't completely remember your response, but you said that you'd see me at 2:19 and that maybe we could get lunch together if I didn't have practice to concern myself with.

I do remember how I felt.

The explosion of bliss inside of me.

A date!

Our first date.

The thought of getting lunch with you boosted my confidence. 

And so I arrived at practice.

For the very first time since I was thirteen, I was late.

Coach was not happy with me.

He ordered that I started sprints, even though my teammates were already splitting between batting practice and just tossing the ball back and forth.

"Sir," I was nervous. Can't stop my hands from shaking nervous. But I was certain too.

I could feel the eyes of my friends and teammates on me.

No one countered coach's orders.

"I'm quitting the team,"

I could hear a ball drop.

Coach looked furious at first, then gave a nod. "If you aren't part of the team, then get off our field,"

I nodded, letting out a held breath. 

It was over.

But it was also a beginning of sorts.

Leaving the field, I saw you waiting at the bench, Dal sitting at your side, a smile on both of your faces.

2:17.

You were early.

"I thought we'd go to the café with the desserts at the edge of town, what do ya think?" you asked as I got closer.

"Sounds like you already know my favorite place to get lunch,"

"Then I guess we have a lot in common then,"