Our team was winning, 9-5 going into the bottom of the 5th. I brought in a kid who has struggled but looked good in practice two nights earlier. They never throw like they do in practice, though. They scored the max, five runs. We came back in the 6th and scored the tying run, but couldn't get anymore than that. The top of the order was due up and Jordan did not pitch well in his last game, plus he said his finger was sore was chewing his nail too short (ouch). But I had no choice, so I asked Jordan to pitch. Losing this game would have been a heart breaker. He struck out the first batter, but the second kid was a twelve year old 5'-10'' er, (seriously). He fouled off a few and with every swing I cringed. Jordan shook his hand after every pitch and I couldn't tell if it really hurt or this was for the dramatic effect. The ump asked if he was ok and he said yeah. Then Jordan threw him one right down the middle and my heart stopped, swing and a miss. The last kid grounded out to first and we salvaged a tie.
It's one of those moments in a kid's little league career that should be remembered, and used for encouragement to help him through the tough times to follow.
