under pressure

spring training

"Hi Dave, meet my expert coaching staff." Bree, Brandon, and Steve would be helping their dad coach little league. Back home, Bree was one of the best softball players on her middle school team, so her dad begged her to help him with this. "My son, Brandon, my daughter, Brinan, and their friend, Steve," The three shake his hands, greeting him. "This is Dave Franklin, the el presidente of the West Beverly Hills Baseball League."

"Today I'm just playing a dad," He tells them, pointing to his kid as he pitches a ball. "That's my kid, Davey over there." Bree is impressed with how good his arm is.

"We needa get him on our team, Dad. He's got one hell of an arm." She says, watching him.

"Well, I think that could be arranged. I didn't think you played, girly." She narrowed her eyes at him. Any time she showed knowledge about baseball, people never thought that she played.

"I played softball last year in Minnesota. I'm a shortstop." She says, making him nod, impressed.

"So, for the tryouts, are you up for hitting some fungoes?" He asks Jim, who waves him off.

"Just point me to the bat ring." They then say goodbye to the teens, who walk away.

"So, how tight is your dad with Franklin?" He asks the sibling duo, who shrug.

"I mean, they work together, so they must be pretty tight."

"Well, then that means that he'll make sure his good buddy gets all the best players," Steve says, making Bree laugh. "So, is your dad any good at baseball?"

"Yeah, he loves baseball." Brandon tells him, as they stop walking.

"Yeah, but is he any good at it?" They look over and see him hit a ball, but let out a yell of pain. He clutches onto his back as he falls down, making their eyes widen.

—

"So, y'know, with my dad laid up, we need all the help we can get," Brandon tells his friends, as they walk into the Peach Pit. It was the three Walsh teens, Dylan, and Andrea. Their dad had done something to his back, so now Bree, Brandon, and Steve had to coach the team all by themselves. "The first practice is today if you wanna join in on the festivities." He tells Dylan, as he sits down with him.

"Thanks, but no thanks, slim. I'll go to your games if you have any, just to see Baby Walsh." Bree smiles brightly at him, as the rest of them sit down.

"Dylan, I thought you were a total baseball freak." Brenda asks, looking at her boyfriend.

"Oh, I am. But, having to listen to these parents berating their kids from the sidelines all day long brings back a whole slew of bad memories." He says, making Bree nod, understanding.

"Yeah, but it shouldn't be about the parents. It should be about being on a team, learning the fundamentals, and having a good time." He said, making Dylan let out a snort.

"That's very noble, Brandon. But, when I was playing, it was about winning at any cost." Dylan says, making Bree nod.

"Softball and baseball are fun sports, Bran. But, once you start playing seriously, it's not about having a good time anymore. It's about playing at your best, while also winning." She said, making Brandon frown.

"This happens in Beverly Hills, too. I know some parents who took their kids out of the league because it was so competitive." Andrea tells him, making Bree raise a brow.

"As much as I agree with you, did this kid have any athletic ability whatsoever?"

"Are you kidding? Avery not only won the batting title but he was the star pitcher for the entire West Valley Baseball League." Brandon pats Andrea and Dylan's backs.