FOUL • by Alan Vernon
One swing of the bat and a frozen rope laced foul from the barrel of a 32-ounce bat beaned my Dad straight in the left temple, and he crumpled in my lap. It was opening day. I was ten years… Continue Reading
baseball
ZUGZWANG • by Scott D’Accordo
On the train to Detroit some of the guys were playing cards, two were reading, most sleeping. Eddie was alone in the back of the car, smoking and staring out the window. I got up and sat next to him.… Continue Reading
TAKE ME IN TO THE BALL GAME • by Gustavo Bondoni
A group of young men looked at me suspiciously as I crossed under the ancient railroad bridge, but I ignored them. I was a big guy, and the bat I was holding was essentially a club. I was too excited… Continue Reading
THE RULES OF THE GAME • by Peter Wood
Mike wished Dad and Robert would stop jabbering. He laid down his cards. “Straight flush.” Robert tossed his hand in with the discards. “You got me, Chief.” “Come down to Tampa and I’ll show you a professional game,” Dad said. “Senior… Continue Reading
THE BASEBALL GODS • by James Aquilone
Al Whitaker thought he handled last night’s catastrophes pretty well. He only punched his office wall. It hurt like bloody hell when he broke his hand, but he didn’t need his hand to do this job. He needed Boyd Salazar… Continue Reading
WELCOME TO VALLEY VIEW • by Wayne Scheer
With his wife away, Danny ate dinner at the Gray Moose, a classic dark-wood pub. He signaled to a waiter for another beer. “Sure thing, Mr. McGowan.” With that, an attractive dark-haired woman sitting at the bar near his table… Continue Reading
SPACE CADET • by Wayne Scheer
I’m standing on second base, a clean double. Sal and Eddie came home on my hit. We’re still down by a run, but we have only one out. We should be able to at least tie this game. “Good hit,… Continue Reading
THE RELIEVER • by River T. Huffman
“It’s seven-forty,” she announces, with a tone that reminds me why I don’t cook her breakfast anymore. “Will you please wake up and listen to me?” I roll on my good shoulder and look into the bathroom. No eye contact… Continue Reading