Soby: An Oath of Peace and War

50: Cut

(Warning: The chapter contains terms you might not be comfortable with. Skip the chapter if you need to.)

"This is the shitty part of coaching for both Hopps and me," Sparks explained. 

'Do what must happen.' Bret glanced down while mouthing.

"As coaches, our job is for the best of the best to play since these guys have been playing since they were younger. I know you three have as well. Nothing can't be shittier than this feeling of being... cut." Coach removed his hat and sighed while looking at the three boys he was cutting from the team.

"So this is it for baseball then, huh?" Bret began to tear up.

"You can still try out next year. You guys can come back stronger next year." Coach sighed, "You guys have skills and talent, and I believe in you. You need to work hard and keep practicing."

The three boys: Bret, Jeffrey, and Ethan, nodded, but their disappointment was evident. They had worked hard for months, waking up early, training rigorously, attending classes to keep their grades up, and sacrificing their time to become better players. And now, it all seemed for nothing.

"I know it doesn't seem fair, but life isn't always fair. Sometimes we face disappointments and have to learn how to bounce back stronger. It's how we grow as individuals," Coach said.

The boys nodded, but their hearts were heavy.

"Thank you for giving us a chance, Coach," Bret said, trying to hold back tears.

"Thank you for trying out and showing us your dedication and passion for the sport. It wasn't an easy decision, and it was tough to make this decision," Coach replied.

As the three boys gathered their things and left the field, Coach Hopps put his hand on Coach Sparks' shoulder.

"That never gets easier, does it?" he asked sympathetically.

"No, it doesn't," Coach Sparks replied, staring at the empty field.

But he knew that as coaches, they had to make tough decisions sometimes, and it was their responsibility to help their players grow and develop, not just as athletes but as individuals. It was a hard lesson but an important one.

Bret walked off the field crying and calling his sister to pick him up.

Bret: Hey, sis.

Sister: Hi Bret! How have you been?

Bret: Is there any way you could pick me up from tryouts?

Sister: Sure! I just got off work.

Bret: Thank you, Bri. This helps me out since my dad is working right now.

Bri: It's no big deal! See you in five minutes.

The call ends, and Bret ponders, "Where did I go wrong? I went from hitting doubles to strikeouts within a three-month length."

Bret cries harder and can't stand the feeling of being cut.

But he knows he can't give up on his dreams of playing baseball. He wipes away his tears and decides to work harder, practice more, and come back more reactive next year.

It won't be easy, but he's determined. He'll show Coach Sparks that he made a mistake cutting him from the team.

As he gets into his sister's car, he takes one last look at the field, feeling sadness and determination.

"This isn't the end," he whispers to himself.

And with that, he knows he will do whatever it takes to make his dream a reality.