A letter is never ill-timed; it never interrupts.
Instead it waits for us to find the opportune minute, the quiet moment to savor the message.
There is an element of timelessness about letter writing.
-Lois Wyse
"Remember to put on sunscreen ladies." Someone says as Team USA and Team Canada climb the dugout steps here at Petco Park.
It's July now and we're doing our pre-Olympic Camp with Canada in San Diego.
Over the past month or so, Mikaela and I have been packing up our London Home and moving to Denver since I play for Mile High FC now.
Moving Sucks.
Today we're doing some baseball practice so both teams can figure out who to position where for our game tomorrow.
I can't wait to play baseball again.
"This place is huge." Adriana Leon says as everyone looks around the stadium.
"Is that for the dogs?" Emma ask as she points to a pop up canopy near the dugout that's surrounded by protective screens.
"Yeah." I say
"Cool." Emma says then everyone gets dressed for baseball practice
"So what's the schedule for the games we're playing?" Ashley Lawerence asks.
"Baseball, Basketball, Tennis, Beach Volleyball, then Table Tennis." Jessie says.
"Then for an after party thing we're spending a day on an all-electric yacht that Cairo designed." I say.
"Ooh party." Shelina says as I finish tying my cleats.
"Alright." I say as I stand up then I look at Jessie "First off are you all taking this as seriously as us?"
"Fuck yeah we are." Jessie says.
"We have a team meeting tonight to go over everything we learn today." Sinclair says.
"Good." I say then I look at both teams. "Now for the next however many hours, I'm gonna run you through some fielding work to help you decide where you each player want to play and make it so the game is competitive as it can be."
"What about hitting?" Kailen asks.
"We rented out a batting cage place for a couple hours tonight so we'll go there, have some food, relax, and I can help with hitting if you need." I say
"Ooh." Kailen says then I look at my US teammates.
"I'll be evaluating you too." I say.
"Yes Boss." My teammates all say at once making me chuckle.
"Now does everyone have your glove?" I ask.
Everyone nods and holds up their respective gloves.
Everyone got custom gloves for the game.
"When'd you get that glove?" Naomi asks.
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"Mikaela got it for me for Christmas in 2022." I say.
"And this one?" Sophia asks as she holds up my other glove.
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"I was a catcher in high school on my off days so Mikaela got me a catchers glove for my birthday in 2023." I say.
"Aww." Sophia says as she puts my glove back in my bag.
"Um so I need to warm up my arm so just stretch and get ready." I say.
"What stretches do we do?" Abby asks.
"I got it." Talia says.
I nod then I head to the mound while Emma goes and squats behind home plate.
Once Emma and I are set up, I warm up my arm.
I've been here at Petco Park for the last hour setting up everything we'll need and warming up my arm.
I'm warming up my arm because I'm pretty sure the Canadian team are going to want to see how hard I can throw.
"Katana?" Jessie asks as her wife throws the ball back to me after my 15th warm up pitch.
"Yeah?" I say.
"Can we see you throw a full speed pitch?" My favorite Canadian asks.
Knew it.
"Sure." I say then both teams crowd around the plate as I use the rosin bag while Emma gets her catchers gear on.
Emma's chest protector is very very padded so she should be okay if she misses one of the pitches and it hits her.
Emma's never not caught one of my pitches so I think she's pretty safe.
As I'm waiting, I notice Cairo is holding up a speed gun
"You gonna sign me for the Padres Cairo?" I tease.
"Maybe." Cairo says
"Katana what pitches do you throw?" Christine Sinclair asks.
"I throw a 4-seam Fastball, a curveball, a slider, a splitter, and a knuckleball" I say then I throw my final warm up pitch.
"Ready? Emma asks as she throws the ball back to me.
I nod then I get in my pre-pitch stance then I look at Emma.
My favorite retired keeper signals for a fastball so I nod, take a deep breath, do my wind up then I throw my fastball to Emma.
"Fucking hell." I hear someone say.
"How fast was that?" I ask as Emma throws the ball back to me.
"95." Cairo says.
"Not good enough." I say. "But it'll do for now."
I'm gonna throw as hard as I can tomorrow.
"Katana can you hit me with the ball?" Jordyn Huitema asks.
"Uh sure." I say. "I don't plan on hitting any of you, but if you want I can."
"But if we hit one of You." Jessie says.
"Oh if your pitcher hits one of my players then you'll get hit." I say as Jordyn gets into the box. "I'm gonna hit your ass okay?"
"That's fine." Jordyn says.
"Is that where you hit people?" Sam asks.
"If I hit you on purpose then yes I do hit you in the ass." I say. "It's got the most muscle so it won't hurt as much."
"I mean you do have a big butt Jordyn." Someone says.
"Ready?" I ask.
Jordyn nods so I throw a 75% speed fastball right at her ass.
"EH." Jordyn squeals as she gets hit in the ass then I walk off the mound.
"So." I say as I look at everyone. "Who's ready to play ball?"
