Danny crouched behind home plate. His left arm was extended in front of him. His right hand was tucked behind his glove. His catcher’s mitt was open and ready for the ball.
His teammate Jack stood on the pitcher’s mound. Jack went into his windup. Danny sat steady and still, but his heart raced. He couldn’t wait for what was about to happen.
The ball flew through the air and popped into Danny’s glove. He sprang out of his crouch like a lion after its prey. In one fluid motion, he grabbed the ball, reached his hand behind his head, and gunned a throw to second base.
His mask twisted sideways on his face. Danny ripped the mask away so he could watch the flight of the ball.
His teammate Mike ran over from his position between first and second base to make the catch. Danny watched as the ball landed in Mike’s glove. It was close to the ground and just a foot away from the base.
“Great throw!” shouted Mike.
“Great catch!” yelled Danny. He pulled his mask back on and returned to his position behind the plate.
It was the first practice of the season. Danny felt good. He loved this drill. He could hardly wait to throw real base runners out in a game.
“Time for pitchers’ practice,” called Coach Byrd.
“Just one more?” asked Danny. He stood up and pleaded with his coach. “I think I can get the ball even closer to the bag.”
“Okay, one more,” said Coach Byrd, smiling. “But our pitchers need a workout, too.”
“Thanks, Coach,” Danny said, returning to his crouch.
Jack lobbed another ball from the pitcher’s mound. Danny caught it and repeated his routine.
He fired another throw to second base. This time the ball landed only inches off the plate. The infielder let out a whoop as he caught the ball and put the tag on an invisible runner.
“Great job, Danny,” said Coach Byrd.
“Another perfect play,” said Alex, walking toward the mound. “Now, are you ready for some perfect pitches?”
“Bring ’em on!” said Danny.
Danny and Alex were best friends, and they had been teammates for three years. Alex was the star pitcher, and Danny was the Dodgers’ starting catcher.
They were an amazing combination. The year before, their team had advanced far into the playoffs, just missing the championship round.
Alex and Danny were determined to help the Dodgers go all the way this season.
Alex stood on the mound, and Danny waited for his throw. “Let’s see what you’ve got!” Danny yelled.
Alex unleashed the pitch. The ball shot from his hand like a rubber band. Danny remained in his squat as the ball smacked hard into his glove.
“Nice!” Danny said. “I think you’ve picked up some speed over the winter.”
Danny stood up and started to toss the ball back to Alex. Suddenly his arm went limp. Something didn’t feel right.
He let go of the ball, but the throw felt funny. The ball bounced twice in the dirt before rolling to Alex’s feet.
“What was that?” asked Alex.
Danny shook his head. He stretched out his throwing arm. “I guess I’m just tired from practice,” he said.
Alex laughed, and then prepared for his next throw. He fired another pitch, and again Danny stood and tossed the ball back to Alex. This time his throw was even worse. The ball rolled into the grass in front of the mound.
“What the heck?” Danny said to himself.
“Come on,” said Alex. “You can fire a bullet to second, but you can’t make a simple toss to me? Quit goofing around.”
“I’m not,” said Danny.
Alex let another pitch fly, and another. Both times, Danny’s throws back to him were off target.
“Are you okay?” asked Coach Byrd.
“I’m fine,” said Danny. “Pitch me another one, Alex.”
Alex reared back and threw one more fastball. This time Danny stood up slowly. He concentrated on the throw. He did not want to miss Alex again.
Danny cocked his arm behind his body, reached forward, and let go of the ball. It sailed high into the air, up and over Alex’s outstretched glove. Danny just stared in disbelief.
“Take a break,” said Coach Byrd.
“But I can do it,” said Danny. “I know I can.”
“I know you can, too,” said Coach Byrd. “Just take a few laps around the field. Then come back and we’ll try again.”
“But …” said Danny.
“But nothing,” said Coach Byrd. “Start running. That’s an order.”
Danny walked into the dugout and removed his catching gear. As he jogged into the outfield, he thought about what had happened.
He had no idea what was wrong. The difficult throws were easy to make, but suddenly the easy throws had become nearly impossible.