Strike One

Chapter Three - Is it Her?

Chandlers Point of View:

Holy s**t! It’s her, it's the girl from the library. Her eyes seemed red. Has she been crying? Why is she crying? I feel this sudden urge to protect this girl I literally have never even spoken to. I want to text Alex and tell her the girl I saw is on the softball team!! But, I know better if my phone came out - it would mean running poles until we vomit, and I wouldn't be that guy, to start the season running poles, because I am love-struck.

I stare at her and it’s beginning to become an apparent problem that I am incredibly attracted to her. I just wish I could talk to her, even just to shake her hand and thoroughly introduce myself to her. Instead, I would take what I could get and listen to her introduce herself, and of course she had to be the last one. Her name is Whitney. She is from Wisconsin but born and raised a Michigan sports fan. Through and through. It took me all of 2 seconds to realize her dad must be Matt Brown, who played here and for the Tigers for a season before his surgery. I’ve met her dad a couple of times at different camps hosted by the University of Michigan.

Then it hits me, her eyes are red - her father passed away a little over a year ago in a car accident after Whitney signed with the team. My stomach sinks and I suddenly want to wrap my arms around her to comfort her. Hutch, though, wraps her arm around her and the team seems to truly adore her - she must make a great first impression.

I sit back and think about how it would feel to lose my parents and I cannot fathom it. Every Sunday unless I’m traveling for baseball, I have dinner with my parents and usually Alex joins us as she is currently a hair stylist in Brighton and has her own apartment literally over the salon itself. So, its nice for us all to get together. Alex is like my sister and my parents treat her like their daughter. I think Alex even goes over to my parents' house every Monday to watch the Bachelor with my mother. If i lost any of those 3, I don’t know if I could cope. Let alone continue to play ball. She must be incredibly strong to move away from her support structure to a place where she has no family.

Then I think again, Hutch makes that team a family. She truly is an amazing coach and thoroughly loves her players as if they were her own children. I am cut from my thoughts when I hear the coach, “DECK!”

I shook my head, “Ope, sorry. I’m Chandler Decker, currently a sophomore catcher. I’m from South Lyon about 30 minutes north of here. I apologize, I try to absorb everything and put faces to names - currently what I was doing so my apologies coach.” He tips his cap, “Never doubted it son, Chandler here is the reason we are academic all conference with his GPA alone, plus the kid has one heck of a cannon behind the plate,” Coach talks me up to the teams. I heard Nick Suchy scoff.

I get a good glance at Whitney when Nick does this and immediately see the look of disgust on her face. She clearly is not into meat heads -which is a point for this guy. Wait, Points? Why am I keeping points? It’s not like I stand a chance with her. I know Hutch loves me personally, but she really doesn’t like her girls getting distracted - not that she forbids relationships, she just doesn’t like her girls to be not fully committed.

The coaches have a minor discussion with us and Hutch sends both baseball and softball teams off, encouraging us both to bring home championships - which is always encouraging coming from her. Lots of applause and we all parted ways. Not before I can get one more glimpse at Whitney, she catches my eye but turns away.

We are putting away tables and cleaning up the place. Jeff comes over and informs us that tonight the seniors from both the softball and baseball teams are hosting a party at the senior baseball house and that we all have to come. I chuckle, “Geez thanks for the heads up Jeff. Nothing like a procrastinator,” I slugged his arm. He laughs, “Sorry, I figured you had your homework completed for the season so i assumed you were free.” That gets a chuckle out of Luke, Chase, Drake and myself.

Alright, I could see her again tonight. There is a possibility for me to get to actually talk to her. What do I say?

After we finished cleaning up, Coach told us that we were scheduled for a 10am weight room, and not to be late. We all put our hands in and do a HOO RAH and, respectively, all leave and go our separate ways. Walking back to our apartment, Luke and I were talking about the team and what we were expecting.

I tell Luke, “Two things. 1. The girl I saw in the library was Whitney on the team. I want to get to know her - so don’t well, don’t be you. 2. Nick is after my spot and I could be in trouble.” Luke looks at me, “Wait, you have the hots for Whitney the new catcher? It’s like a match made in heaven… but, I do need to tell you - Nick also mentioned having similar thoughts. So,bro, you guys are going to be fighting over a spot and a girl. You know I believe that you are the better one and I can refuse to throw at him, and so, at least you will always have me time on the diamond,” Luke jokes.

It’s not a joke though, it's the truth. Coach allows his pitchers to have a catcher they feel comfortable with. There is an agreement within baseball that some pitchers work better with certain catchers, and Luke and I have that - we work really well together and the team usually works well behind us.

I decide to call Alex this time instead of texting her,

Alex answers - Hey Douche Canoe

I respond - Hola c**k Sandwich

We both laugh

Alex- so did you talk to her?

Me- eh, no, but I tried. Then i found out she is a softball player, so I will see her tonight! But, I am beyond nervous over this. Dude, I wanted to hug her during our meet and greet. Her dad is the pitcher from U of M that got drafted to the Tigers, who passed away a little over a year ago.

Alex - whoa. Ok. You are talking like a damn speeding ticket. Slow down. She who?

Me: her dad played baseball here at school. He was AMAZING. They retired his number 6. He was drafted in the first round to the Tigers as a #1 pitcher. He played 1 season and suffered Tommy John surgery that actually ruined his career. He died about a year ish ago after driving his daughter back to Green Bay after she had just signed at UofM.

Alex: (sniffles) My god Chan - that’s a lot. She has a fragile heart, and you have never even spoken of another girl to me before. You’ve never even actually spoken to her and yet you are blabbering about her like she is a goddess. Tell me what you like about her.

Me: Her laugh, her genuine smile - the way she spoke so confidently in front of so many drooling dudes and chicks who are much bigger than her. I have no doubt she can hold her own. I just find her fascinating and want to know who she really is.

Alex: well, there it is. I mean, Chan - you’ll be fine, but be honest with her. Introduce yourself formally and tell her in your own way that you’d love to get to know her better - ask her out for coffee or to lunch. I dunno what you cool kids do these days. But, I don't mean to cut you short. I have a hair color i need to get back too.

Me: thanks Alexandra.

Alex: I hope your d**k falls off. Love you

Me: love you too crazy

*we hang up*

At the apartment, I get into the shower and try and find something casual to wear that says I’m laid back - but I’m anything but laid back. I’m assertive and strong. I work hard for the life i currently have.. I put the time and effort in achieving the success I see. That is what I want to show her… that’s who I will show her.