The smell of food hits you as you walk in: Hot Dogs, pizza, and nachos, all very expensive. You walk up the stairs until you finally find your seat. Five minute pass and the announcer asks you to “Please remove all caps,” it’s time to sing the national anthem. Everyone sings and claps at the end. A guest is introduced to throw the first pitch. Finally, a kid is introduced to say those two words everyone at the ballpark want to hear, “Play Ball!” As the teams come onto the field, the announcer introduces the home and away teams.
The away team’s lead off batter comes to the plate, pitcher and batter get ready, catcher shows some signs. The pitcher throws the ball, “Strike one!,” calls the umpire. Second throw, “Strike two!,” third throw, “STRIKE THREE!”
The innings fly by and before you know it, it’s time for the seventh inning stretch. Everyone stands and sings, “Take me out to the Ball Game.”
It’s the bottom of the ninth in no time. The game is tied at 1. Possibly the last batter comes up to bat. Two outs, the pressure is on the batter. He fouls two off and works the pitcher to a full count. The catcher shows some signs, but the pitcher shakes his head at all of them. He throws a hanging breaking ball.
Big mistake. The batter winds up, and hits the ball. For one moment, time stops. Everyone is completely silent. The ball, going, going, going, GONE! “It’s outta’ here! A walk-off Home-run!” The crowd goes wild. The batter takes his time and rounds third base. Everyone in the team is waiting for him at home base. They celebrate like it’s their last game of the season, but really, it’s only begun.