Samantha at Bat

Samantha looked at the pitcher. She dug her heels in the dirt and wiggled a bit to get in a comfortable position. She bent her knees and raised the bat to her shoulder. Then she dug in a little more. SWING!

“Strike two!” The umpire took the ball from the catcher, glanced over it and threw it to the pitcher.

Samantha positioned herself again. She turned her head slightly and looked over at the coach who nodded back and winked. Samantha kicked the bat to loosen the dirt from her cleats.

Then she stuck her hand in her pocket. She grabbed the stone she found in the Sedona Mountains on last summer’s family vacation. She held it in her hand and whispered, “I’m going to get a home run.”

Ever since she found that white stone, she knew it was special. When her friend Jan needed help with bullies, Samantha held the stone and said she’d stop the bullies. She did. Then when her sister lost the ring their grandmother gave her, Samantha held the stone and said she’d find it for her. She did.

Samantha only used the stone those two times. Both times it was to help others. This day though, she wanted to know what it felt like to get a home run.

She dug her heels in again, settled in position, and lifted the bat to her shoulder.

“Go for it Sammy!"  yelled her big brother, Luke. “Give it all you’ve got!”

The pitcher squinted and drew his arm back.

I’m gonna hit a home run. I’m gonna hit a home run. I’m gonna.

The ball sped toward her like a torpedo out of its tube. She swung the bat . . . there was a loud CRACK.

The crowd roared, “Run!”

Samantha watched the ball soar above the outfield and over the fence. Dazed, she looked at Luke. “Sammy! RUUUNNNN!”

Samantha dropped the bat. She flew toward first base. Then second base. Then third base. Then she slowed down to a run. She heard the audience cheering. She saw her brother standing on top of his chair, waving and yelling.

A smile spread across Samantha’ face. She danced onto home plate. She hit the winning home run. Her teammates all hi-fived her.

As Samantha walked to the locker room, she felt the stone jiggle. She shoved her hand in her pocket and took it out. It was bright red and getting hotter and hotter. She dropped it to the ground.

“Okay, okay, I get it,” she said as she tightened her lips.

The stone turned white again, and Samantha picked it up. She shoved it back in her pocket. “I’ll hit a home run again, but next time it’ll be on my own.”