Grand Slam

The weekend of the 20th and 21st of October were usual for me - softball, softball, softball. In the most humble way possible, I would consider myself to be a good softball player. Not a stud, but not terrible either. I rarely make fielding errors and my .400 batting average secures my spot at the top of the order.

As a lead off hitter, my objective is to get on base. Whether it's through a base hit, a bunt, a slap, a walk, or getting hit by a pitch, I need to get on. With a .600 OBP (on base percentage), I get on base more often than not.

As a lead off, it is usual to get short base hits. I'm not a power hitter, so bombs to the fence come only once in a blue moon for me. On my ASA team, I have the highest amount of singles, doubles, and walks. What I'm good at is hitting it right in the gap. With only one homerun under my belt during my lifetime, I stick to what I know, and never swing for the fences.

However, this past cold, windy Saturday was different.

All day long, I was bombing it. Hits over the left fielder's head, hits to the right field fence, hits to center just shy of going over. I could feel it that day. I knew something was coming. On our third and final game of the day, our entire team was fired up. The score was 3-3 and nobody wanted to end the day with a loss. As I came up to bat, I assessed my situation. "It's the final inning, we're tied, and bases are loaded. All I need is a base hit to win this." My thoughts were definitely more calm than my nerves.

The pitch fired towards me. "This one's mine." With a quick swing, I barely felt the ball hit the bat.

Hearing cheers all around, I sprinted towards first base. "Slow down, Alex. Sheesh. No need to sprint after a homer," my coach said as I rounded first. Shock filled my mind. He said I hit a homer. Because the bases were loaded meant it wasn't just a home run....It was a grand slam. I couldn't believe it. I hit a grand slam. Most major league baseball players don't even get to experience the feeling.

I hit a grand slam, and I didn't even get to see it happen because I was too focused on running. But I didn't care, because I knew it happened and everyone there did as well. Cheers, high-fives, and pats on the back kept a huge goofy grin on my face.

I don't even care if it was an exhibition game. I hit a grand slam.