The First Out

Chapter 17- Rounding Third. Heading for Home.

It was tense inside the first base side locker room at Muzzy Field. The Wolves dressed quietly. It was even more tense across the way in the Springfield Falcons' locker room. One team was a win away from a championship. The other -- runner-up. Outside, Wolves fans flowed into the ballpark. It was late summer, but there was an early autumn chill in the air. Crisp. Clean. It was better suited for football and in a couple of weeks, Muzzy Field would be converted over to football for the three high school football teams in Mum City.

Derek Griffin and Steven Chase walked out of the coach's office and to the middle of the locker room. Derek Griffin began a pep talk. He had established who was in charge with vigor and an edge of nastiness when he was elevated to manager. Now that the team knew he meant every word and fell in line, he was more earnest with his words. "Alright men. Tonight is our night." He started. "Let's wrap this up. I do not want to go back to Springfield tomorrow. You guys go out there and show the Breakers why they drafted you."

He deferred to Steven Chase. "Steve?"

"My goal when I was assigned to Bristol was to play myself back into shape. I only expected to be here a short while, to play myself back into shape, and get on with my career." He stated. "Usually, when I rehab, it's a quick hello, someone takes a seat for a night so I can get my legs back under me. Then I move on."

"Does that mean we get another steak dinner?" Sully blurted out, lightening the mood in the room with laughter.

Steven chuckled, shook his head and continued. "I gotta say, I feel like a real part of this team. It's been years since I played at this level. It reminded me of all the hard work it took for me to get to the big leagues, and to do it the right way, and, I see the same effort in some of you guys." He pulled a championship ring from his pocket. Steven kept with him, wearing it from time to time. "It reminded me of this."

The room filled with awe inspired gasps. He passed it around. "We won a championship at Atlantic City." He paused. "I'd like another one, preferably a World Series ring. But, a Northeastern League title would be nice, too."

Derek picked up where Steven left off. "Some of you will move on to the next level. Some of you may repeat here in Bristol next season. Some of you -- this is where your career ends."

Brad received the ring and inspected it. He stood up and addressed his teammates. "I want one of these, too. The Breakers saw something in each of us. That's why we're here." He paused and cleared his throat. "We all didn't along there for a bit, and I know some of you still haven't accepted me for what I am. That's OK. But this might be the only chance any of us has to be a champion. So let's put that aside, like we've been doing, and be champions together."

Brad handed the ring back to Steven, who nodded at him. He was seeing Brad grow into a leadership role, and he was doing it with not only with humility and grace, but by example on and off the field.

Sully stood in the center of the room and held out his hand. "Let's bring it in."

The players gathered, hands on top of one another. By circumstance, Brad's hand ended up on top of Jaimie Marquez'. Jaimie, a hold out who still had issues with Brad's sexuality, saw Brad's hand on top of his. He glanced at Brad, who removed his hand and placed it on the hand of another player. Jaimie nodded, and placed his hand on Brad's.

Sully started the fan's chant. "W-O-L-V-E-S!"

The team responded. "WOLVES! WOLVES! WOLVES!" They followed it up with howling and barking. They were zones in, ready to finish off the Falcons. Nothing was left to be said. It was time to go out and play ball.

****

It was warm and humid at game time, not unusual for late summer in Connecticut. Muzzy Field ran at half capacity for Game 2 in what could be the first title in team history. Minor league baseball's play-offs are scheduled to happen immediately after the season ends. Teams have little time to market the games. Still, the 2700 fans in attendance were lively, and they got to see a good game.