It is game 7 of the championship series at the North Side ball park. It is north versus south. On the mound for the South Siders is their ace pitcher Juan Medina. It is the latter innings and Juan has been dominant to this point but for a homerun in the first inning that tied the game at two for the North Siders. Back and forth there are spectacular plays and Medina seems to have been getting stringer as the game went on. It is the top of the seventh inning and the South Siders put a run on the board to take the lead again. Their fans travel well knowing what’s at stake. A sea of black around the first base dugout. A sea of Blue around the third base dugout. Hanging their heads as the opposition has taken a lead from a fast runner from first base on a drive into the gap and overthrow at home plate allowing him to score. The world is watching as Juan Medina takes the mound in the bottom of the seventh inning. The fans in the park at full throat. This is where I come in. but nothing since the first inning with a runner on base when I lined his best pitch into the left field seats. There are no games after this and from my position I would let nothing past me at shortstop. But took the through from centerfield and turned to make a play on the runner that goes over the defenders head to the backstop. On to the eighth inning. Debris go side to side as the South Siders can feel victory in their hands. Evening turn into night. Light of the gloaming touch the moment. Medina felt he was in control of the game. The feeling that he had gotten them the lead. He hadn’t struck the ball or made the error. He joined the celebration with victory in sight. The bottom of the eighth inning the North Side leadoff hitter beats out a ball deep into the gap between third base and short stop. I’m up to bat next. I get the count to one ball and one strike when he takes off for second base. The ball reach the base just after he does and the second baseman bobbles the ball. The next pitch I popped a short fly ball into the outfield and the score again is tied. Juan refused to be taken out of the game. The score is 3-3. I have become Medina’s nemesis. The game goes into extra innings. Juan Medina is still in the game. He hardly seems to have broken a sweat. He likes to pitch inside so he kept hitters on guard in case the ball comes too close inside. There is some chirping from the batters. The tenth inning comes and it is very eventful. The North Siders. Got the first two South Siders to ground out easily before walking the bases loaded. Again the crow is at Crescendo. One hit and they can put the game away. After two pitches a little outside the next two pitches were seen to be a little high to the hitter so he still hadn’t swung. The Next to pitches are called strikes. The fifth pitch is fouled off before the next pitch is right down the middle for strike three. The batter drops the bat and walks away. It is the North Siders turn to bat in the tenth inning. If they score the game is over. Medina comes out to pitch the bottom of the tenth. Right away the first hitter strikes out. I’m the next batter and the park goes silent. I’m his nemesis. Responsible for all the scoring on our side. I take two practice swings and enter the batter’s box. Medina prepared to throw his most important pitch. Slow motion from the moment he threw the pitch and I swung with all my might and the ball elevates into the dark and everyone in the park is watching to see where the ball would land. Would the outfielder have a chance to make a spectacular play. There are no more games after tonight. Could be another hundred years before these two teams play for bragging rights at the championship level. By the time the ball lands in the outfield bleachers Juan Medina had already walked off the field. 

Godfrey Logan