getting to first base

getting to first base

fiction
edward w pritchard

The new umpire at first base was very pretty but was older than the players and most thought of her as a Mother. Often one of the players would choose not to run on to second on a hit into the gap in left or right field so they could stand at first with the lady umpire for the Cleveland Indians and tell them their problems with their wives and girlfriends as they waited for the next batter to drive them on towards home plate.

The new lady umpire was famous because of media attention over her reaction to the Redsox's pitching staff. When she found out that some of those pitcher's had deliberately hit a batter in retaliation for one's of their teammates being hit she had called a meeting there at first base on National television with the entire Red Sox defensive team. Media had a field day with that one. " Mom threatens Sox pitching staff,- stop the brush back throws or head for the showers-"

The umpire was named Sally and sometimes she was labeled Tornado Sally by the Media to promote the sport of baseball which was out of favor a little with the National audiences.

Sally was never out of favor with the Latino players. They were polite and respectful and they relished her advice. When standing at first they would jump on and off first base up to fifteen times to keep the pitcher throwing over on the pick off play to keep their conversation going with Sally. When giving advice Sally wouldn't be rushed-she had to hear the whole story-- and all the details-- before she would formulate her advice of the heart. It slowed down the game of baseball but the fans and announcers loved it and it attracted a lot of female fans and ratings soared.

Talk began to circulate among the owners about moving Sally to behind the plate to give her more National exposure.
End part one