The local nine were locked in a fierce struggle in the semi final of the annual Sports Day. As Saturday began to descend into twilight, the team from Matador clung to a two to nothing lead. Their ace fire baller, Jethro McCrie fanned one batter after another as one after another dejected batter returned to the dugout.
Going into the bottom of the ninth inning, a faint glimmer of hope set upon a possible rally as the top of the order was coming to bat. Batting fifth in the inning if that were indeed possible, was the local Mountie, Constable Seguin, who had carried the offensive load for the home side for much of the season.
A flurry of activity around the home dugout at the mid point of the final frame caused a delay. Much to the consternation of the fans, Seguin was seen to throw his glove at the bench in disgust and dash for his car, departing in a cloud of dust. Apparently there had been a fracas at a nearby ballroom which required his services.
The first two batters were retired in short order. Sensing victory, McCrie quickly got two strikes on the third batter, and then an inside pitch caught his sleeve, which resulted in a free passage to first base. Surprising everyone, the runner stole second base, which was followed inexplicably by a successful bunt which put runners on first and third. The next spot in the order was Constable Seguin's but he had departed leaving no option but to put in the team's spare player, the young schoolteacher, Mr. Cameron. The pedagogue had ridden the pine all season as his teammates carried the load, and he became accustomed to his role as equipment manager / water boy / spare player. Up to this point in the season he had not batted in an actual game...until now. Cameron strode uncertainly to the plate, fearful that he was no match for the towering cowboy on the pitcher's mound. Nevertheless, he dug in and took a might swing at the blurry white object hurtling toward him.
He missed.
By a lot.
He dug in again, this time determined to be more selective, and watched the ball zoom by, and heard the umpire call, "Strike two," It was down to this one pitch, and it was almost as if it happened in slow motion, as the ball flew toward the plate and Cameron once again swung with all his might.
Later, some of those who were there claimed his eyes were shut tight... Following the crack of the bat and ball connecting, a brief stunned silence was followed by a roar which reached a crescendo as reality set in. The runners rounded the bases as the schoolteacher's ball disappeared into the prairie dusk.