It was the ninth inning and Bryant's team was down by two. Runners were on first and second base and
Bryant was up to bat. He could tie the game, maybe
even win it if he got a good hit. Bryant stared down
the pitcher with a cold steel gaze as the ball floated
from his hand. Everything seemed to move in slow
motion. Bryant twirled awkwardly. He swung the
bat and somehow hit the ball with the bottom of
the handle. The ball gently bounced away from
Bryant and landed directly in the third baseman's
mitt. This caused a force out. The third baseman
tossed it to the second basemen, causing a second
force out. He threw it to first, and Bryant was
responsible for a triple play. As the players lined up
to exchange handshakes at the end of the game,
the pitcher stared coolly at Bryant. They shook
hands, and the pitcher said, "Nice hit, Champ. Way
to get a hold of it." Bryant had never felt more
embarrassed.
Reviev