Helloween Thirteen: Cut Chapter

        This was originally chapter six of Helloween Thirteen. It will not be in the final draft of the book because I decided to cut it. I still like the chapter but there really is no reason for it to be in the story. It's basically just filler about a baseball game and not only does it not do anything for the story but if you don't like or understand baseball then it won't even entertain you.

        Yes, the Cubs franchise did survive the apocalypse which makes them the oldest baseball franchise in the world. I would have written in a joke about them still being cursed but you know... as safe as that seems, I still didn't want to risk it. Anyway, please enjoy this completely pointless chapter... unless you hate baseball.   

BONUS CHAPTER

                               

        A sudden roar enveloped the train as it rushed into a black tunnel. This had better not interfere with the signal, thought Solomon. He sat with his feed glasses on, intently watching the last half of the last inning of what was potentially the last game of the Southern League Baseball Championship... But hopefully not.

        The announcer did his recap after the commercial break ended. Three to four, Cobalts in the bottom of the ninth and the Cobalts have to keep it that way to stay in the championship for a chance at going to the World Series. They missed an opportunity for an insurance run at the top so now it’s all up to Mendez close the game. Still in. He’s perfectly capable of pitching a complete game but has only gotten to do so once in the regular season.

        “Oh my God,” said Solomon in amazement. “Mendez is still pitching? They’re crazy.”

        Strong, first up for the Cubs. He's two out of four tonight... The pitch: big swing and a miss.

        "Strike him out, Mendez," he muttered absently.   

        Not a lot of action in the past four innings. Mendez throws... It's a hit. A broken bat and a line drive into right field.

        Solomon gritted his teeth as the first baseman missed a dive for the ball which skipped by into the green. "Oh no."

        Wayne picks it up. Strong stays at first for a lead-off single... A critical first move for the Cubs. Joyce up next...

        "O God, no." He watched as Joyce held out the bat for the pitch but retracted it at the last moment.

        First pitch is a breaking ball. Low and away for a ball. Joyce showing bunt. A little surprising.

        Joyce's stats came up on screen. "Why's Joyce bunting? He can hit." Whatever, thought Solomon. He might advance Strong to second but at least it wouldn't be getting a game ending home run.

        The ball ricocheted off of the bat and bounced in the infield dirt. The pitcher scrambled to pick it up but made a careful throw to first base.

        A successful sacrifice bunt from Joyce who’s out at first but puts the tying run on second. A replay came up of Strong watching for the bunt but already on his way to second. Strong was ready for it, already half way there when the ball crosses the plate... Werner takes the plate. Kramer on deck. One out.

        Mendez shot a glance over his shoulder to second base before winding up. Strong inched his way back.

        Werner swings; it pops back and fouls out of play.

        Mendez checked second again and saw the huge lead that the runner had taken. He quickly threw to the baseman who rushed to tag out Strong. Strong dove in the dirt to get a hand on the bag.

        “Get him!”

        Pickoff attempt at second. And it is very close but he's safe.

        “What? No! He was so out!” A zoomed in slow motion replay came on of Strong sliding on his stomach back to the base, the gloved ball slapping him on the arm. “Out! Look, I can officiate better over the damn TV.”

        Close call for Strong.   

        Mendez got the ball back and fired a low fastball. It landed in the dirt and Werner quickly stepped away from the plate, thinking it went to the backstop. The catcher stretched to smother the ball which bounced off of his glove and rolled in the dirt. He flung off his mask and feigned a panicky throw to third.

        “No!” Solomon winced at the bad pitch.

        The pitch skips in. But it’s blocked behind home plate and Strong does not advance. Mendez, having a hard time keeping Strong at second.

        Mendez was thrown a new ball. He rubbed his hands on it and adjusted his cap to squeegee the sweat from his forehead, trying to give himself a moment to realign after the nearly wild pitch. He looked at the dugout for signs from the manager. Then at the catcher. Then back at second. 

        Werner swings at a very low ball... And it rolls foul. Almost a golf swing. One and two. Werner will chase the low balls all day and Mendez knows it, whether or not he meant it to be that low. A good pitcher knows how to consistently hit the strike zone. But a great pitcher knows how to get the batter to swing at a terrible pitch.

        Pitch four hits the high and outside corner for a called strike three. Mendez's eleventh strikeout this game... Two outs and a man still on second.

        "Yes!" shouted Solomon. "One more! One more!" Solomon reveled in the replay of the last well-crafted strike. It was right in the middle of the grey zone, on the edge of the box and meant to look like a ball. 

         Kramer up. Last hope for the Cubs to come away with a championship here tonight... The first pitch is high. Ball one.”

         Solomon watched in horror as Mendez proceeded to pitch three balls in a row "Jesus Cristo! Get it together!"

        Toni and the pitching coach, Ron Gauss, run out to the mound to have a talk with Mendez.

        A close up of the manager in the Cobalts' dugout came up. His chin resting on the railing, he looked sullen yet relaxed, almost as if he had started the grieving process early just in case.

        I don’t think he even considered not letting Mendez finish. He did have a bit of a rocky start but since he took off, the Cubs have struggled to get anything off of him. He allowed three runs and four hits and the manager says put it all on Mendez. If this helps get them the series, he'll have several days of rest. If it doesn't... he gets even more rest.

        Toni, the catcher, jogged back to his stance behind the plate.

        Kramer takes it for a called strike… A three and one count.

        "I swear to God, if you walk him..."

        The sixth pitch… It’s in tight for a walk.

        “When is this going to end?” he breathed. "Why didn't he just hit him with the first pitch? At least then he might be injured." It seemed like the whole game had been like this. In fact every game that they had won against the Cubs had been like this. If they ended up winning this series it was because the laws of chance had turned in their favor, because technically they did not seem to be the better team.

        “Mendez!” somebody shouted over the train’s roar in frustration. Solomon looked over the top of his glasses to see who else was watching the game but couldn’t immediately identify anyone. It was kind of unusual to hear a Cobalts fan in a train in New Chicago.

        Men at first and second. Zane at bat now, who’s done most of the heavy lifting for the Cubs tonight with an RBI double in the first and a homerun in the third. Definitely not someone Mendez is happy to see right now. We may be looking at an intentional walk which will load up the bases.

        Solomon groaned and banged his head against the window, trying not to damage his glasses in the process. “It’s just one out. That’s all. It doesn’t have to be as hard as you’re making it. Stop screwing around.”

        Zane takes low and inside. Called strike one… I guess he’s going to pitch to him.

        “What? Why the hell are they letting him pitch to Zane now? Why the hell is he pitching at all? Walk him… Or send in someone else for God’s sake! Send in Holt! I can’t watch this anymore!” Solomon could no longer see the strobing tunnel lights coming in through the train car windows. He couldn't hear the roar either. For better or for worse, the game was going to end with this. He could feel it. 

        There came the crack of the bat.

        Zane hits one high and deep into left field.

        “No!” He clenched his fists and squirmed on the edge of his seat as the Cubs began to run the bases. He instinctively attempted to cover his eyes, which is what he usually did, until he remembered he was watching on glasses.

        McConnel, running all the way back. Will it clear the wall? McConnel, at the track. Caught by McConnel! Game over! Series tied! Cobalts take game six!

        "Yes!"

        A replay of McConnel making a ridiculous over-the-shoulder catch while running full speed toward the wall came on. Then the dugout reactions of both teams as their emotions flip-flopped.

        McConnel with an amazing catch... saved the game and the series. An incredible performance from Raul Mendez. Only his second complete game this season and what a pivotal game it was. No championship celebrations tonight. We'll have to wait for game seven for this series' conclusion.

        Solomon slumped back in his seat and sighed. “Dammit, now I have to watch them again tomorrow night,” he muttered. "I hate baseball." Suddenly he noticed the train’s open doors and the station name. “Oh, my stop!” he gasped. He grabbed his suitcase and quickly dragged it out through the closing doors and onto the platform