Showtime at Play Ball

Rainer Thomas #3

A middle grade baseball novel

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The lights blinded Rainer.

It probably did not help that he was staring straight into the light panel behind the camera – but no one had actually told him where to look. Mom had simply said not to stare at the camera too hard or he would look crazy.

Rainer’s heart pounded as he stood next to his Southwest teammate, Jake Winters.

Rainer and Jake were both twelve years old and had been the shortstops for their All-Stars team from Lakeland, Texas. Their team had won tournaments at the District, Sectional, State and Region level and now found themselves as one of the final ten teams from the United States. There were also ten teams from different countries around the world.

The final tournament – the Little League World Series – would start shortly in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

“Here we go, guys,” said Sarah, the TV reporter interviewing Rainer and Jake.

Rainer could not remember her last name, though he had seen her on TV plenty of times. This was all a little overwhelming and Rainer just wanted to make sure he did not forget his own name.

Rainer could not believe he was standing here. He was only hours away from playing in a tournament he had watched on TV for as long as he could remember. A baseball tournament that few kids got to be a part of – and he was here.

And Rainer was here standing next to Jake Winters of all people.

When Rainer had moved from Atlanta, Georgia to Lakeland, Texas, Jake had been one of the first kids Rainer met. Unfortunately, that meeting had involved Jake’s friends trapping Rainer in a bet over who would win the league championship MVP. Rainer had not wanted his first impression to be as a chicken, so he accepted the bet.

Then he had discovered he was on a team that had won zero games the prior season.

Rainer’s team, the Legends, discovered a chemistry and way forward that worked for them. In the end, they won the championship over Jake’s team – and Rainer won the MVP. Jake and his friends had been a thorn in Rainer’s side all season, but Rainer had overcome the challenge.

Then Rainer and Jake were teamed up for All-Stars. That had been contentious at first. Eventually, though, they found common ground and were now two of the best friends on the team.

Sarah turned her attention to the camera pointing at her, Jake and Rainer. She pulled the microphone in her hand up to her face and paused for a second before Rainer saw a red light turn on.

“Thanks, Hank,” she said. “I’m here with Rainer Thomas and Jake Winters. Two big heroes from the surprising upset in the Southwest Regional where Texas West took down the defending champion from Louisiana.

“Jake, you had the big double against Louisiana in the decisive game. That was against last year’s World Series star pitcher Jett Tatum. How did you come up with that hit? Facing Jett had seemed overwhelming to so many other hitters.”

Sarah extended the microphone out across Rainer to Jake.

Jake let out a long ummmm before he found his words and answered.

“My dad has always said batting is just you and the ball,” he said. “The pitcher isn’t holding it anymore so recognize the pitch and hit it if you want it. I wanted an inside fastball and saw it. Went for it and it worked out.”

“You make it sound so simple,” Sarah laughed.

Rainer cut in.

“At our age, it’s usually a good idea to take the first pitch,” Rainer said. “You can time the pitcher and you’re probably going to see another hittable pitch if they don’t walk you.

“We figured out, though, that Jett was taking advantage of that,” he continued. “Everyone’s so scared of Jett that they give him a pitch. A lot of times, though, that first pitch is the only hittable one he throws.”

“So you guys went up there ready to hit on the first pitch?” asked Sarah.

Jake laughed.

“Rainer made sure I remembered that after his tough at bat right before mine.”

“He did?” she asked.

“At our third base meeting,” said Jake.

“What did you say?” asked Sarah.

Suddenly, the microphone was right in Rainer’s face. The question was for him – and it was not a planned question like the first. Rainer had to come up with an answer quick on national television.

Rainer let out a loud ummmm while he searched for words. Then he thought back to the moment.

“Jett can really pitch,” Rainer said. “We told him that after the game. I passed on the fastball for the first pitch and that was a mistake. He made me look silly the rest of the way just trying to get the ball into play. I got lucky with the dribbler. That set up Jake’s hit, though. He did great.”

“Wow,” replied Sarah. “Speaking of big hits, you two have become known for your power in the Texas West lineup. I hear your teammates have a nickname for you two?”

Rainer and Jake laughed at that.

“Yeah,” they said together.

“What is it?” Sarah asked.

Rainer and Jake both froze. Neither wanted to be the one to answer the question.

Sarah apparently picked up on the stage fright.

“We hear your teammates call you the Bash Brothers?”

Rainer and Jake both laughed again.

“Yeah,” said Rainer.

“It’s apparently from some old hockey movie,” said Jake.

Sarah broke into a laugh.

“Old movie?” she said. “I hope Hank didn’t hear that. Those Mighty Ducks went on to win some big titles, though, in those old movies. The characters became big names. I’m guessing you two would love to go down as big names here. Little League World Series legends?”

Rainer and Jake both laughed again. Not as naturally as before, though. Now they were just trying to play it as cool as they could on national television. If they answered this question wrong, they would be laughed at all over social media for years.

“We just want to win,” said Rainer.

“Good way to play,” said Sarah.

Then she turned back to the camera.

“There are a lot of kids here. Only a few will etch their names in the history books of the Little League World Series. Maybe it will be these Bash Brothers – Rainer Thomas and Jake Winters. I’m excited to see what happens.”

Sarah paused. Then the red light turned off.

“Great job,” said Sarah turning back to them. “Thank you. You two did great. I think you’ll like that when you see it.”

Then someone who had called himself a producer stepped forward and steered Rainer and Jake out of the shot. They were led away from the cameras and back to their families.

Mom and Dad also told Rainer he did a great job. Rainer’s little brother, Rowdy, stood silently nearby looking bored. Rainer saw Jake’s dad – the Southwest coach – patting Jake on the back, too, after his mom got in a hug.

Rainer did not really hear anything else anyone said, though.

Legends. That word drowned out everything in Rainer’s mind.

As Sarah had said, only a few of the names that played here got to put their names in the history books. It was one thing to be on the stat sheets. It was another thing to be one of the names remembered. One of the names talked about for years after.

Yes, Rainer wanted to win the title. He wanted to win the whole thing.

He also really wanted to be a name that everyone remembered.