“This kid…” Cheryl felt her whole body lose strength as she heard the news from Coach Williams about Ken’s claims. It seemed that ever since the guy had entered the team, her life had been hard.
As the Public Relations manager, her job was to ensure that the players actions and statements mirrored the Ligers organization. Using her connections built up from years in the industry, she could help steer the narrative in most cases.
However, the constant headaches she’d received because of Ken was something that Cheryl had never experienced in her career. It was as if the guy was intent on making her life difficult.
But no matter how much she complained to Geoff the General Manager, he would just ask her to bear with it. Of course she couldn’t blame him, Mr. Ilitch the majority owner of the club wanted to hear no complaints about him.
“Why do you put up with his antics? Just because you’re his Grandfather, doesn’t mean you can let him run wild and do whatever he wants.” Cheryl complained, looking visibly angry.
Mark smiled, “Ken is an adult. He’s gotten this far on his own, why would I prevent him from continuing to pave his way?”
“You’re the coach! Keep him in line, damn it!” She exclaimed.
Instead of being annoyed, Mark kept his smile. “How about this, if Ken fails to do as he says and break the pitching speed record tonight, I’ll have a chat to him?”
At this, Cheryl’s expression changed and she let out a sigh. “That would be for the best…”
“Excellent.” Mark said, clapping his hands together. “So, can I count on you to do your part?”
“Well I can’t say no now…”
“Great. Look forward to the game, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”
Cheryl watched as Coach Williams left her office and sat back deeply into her chair for a few moments, as if trying to gather her strength.
A few moments later, she opened her laptop and accessed the social media accounts for the Ligers. This was part of her job, maintaining the accounts and posting on behalf of the organization.
She thought for a few minutes before doing up something to post. Since Mark had requested it, Cheryl decided not to half-ass it.
“If he’s that confident… Let’s double down.” She muttered.
“Come watch as Ken breaks the pitching record tonight at 7pm ET.”
“Is that catchy enough?” Cheryl muttered.
She shook her head, “What am I doing? If he doesn’t actually break the record we’ll look like fools.”
Cheryl moved her mouse to close the post, but instead of closing it, she posted it by accident.
“Ah crap!”
Notifications instantly began to roll in, filling up the screen in front of her. Cheryl could only stare at it in bewilderment.
***
The start of the game arrived on schedule and the team was announced as they took the field. As usual, Ken received a large cheer as he jogged onto the field and took his spot on the mound.
In the crowd, an older man wearing a baseball cap and donning a gray mustache watched on. He was idly chewing some gum, but his eyes were trained on Ken upon the mound.
This was Tom House, the legendary pitching coach who had worked with players like Randy Johnson and Nolan Ryan, two hall of famers. At Barry’s request, he had come to see Ken pitch live.
While there was plenty of in depth footage of Ken online, Tom was old school. As someone who pitched in the 70’s, he liked to see the pitching up close.
His eyes weren’t what they used to be, so he now had to wear glasses. But for a man in his 70’s, he was still fit.
“Play ball!”
On the field, Ken wore a expectant smile on his face as he watched the first batter come up to the plate. He had already worked out how he was going to break the record today, so there was no pressure on his shoulders, at least right now.
WHOOOOSH
PAH
The first pitch came, a signature fastball to the inside.
WHOOOOOSH
PAH
“Strike two.”
In only two pitches, he’d got the batter to swing and miss twice. Like most of his pitches, his speed, control and spin was what separated him from the rest of the current pitchers in the league.
For a team like the Indians who had not faced his pitches before, this would probably be a rude awakening for them.
With two strikes in the count, Ken smiled even wider. This next pitch was the one he was most looking forward to. With his Striker and Over the Speed Limit signature skills, would he beat the record in the very first at-bat?
Daichi called for a slider for his out pitch, but Ken shook his head. There was only one pitch that he wanted to throw right now.
As if understanding him, Daichi called for the fastball next at the top of the strike zone.
Ken nodded and breathed out slowly. He glanced at 3rd base before lifting his lead leg and kicking off the pitchers plate as he took a stride forward.
As he let go of the ball, it flew through the air like a bullet, straight into Daichi’s open glove.
PAH!
“Strikeout!”
Ken turned his attention to the jumbo screen, waiting for the pitch speed to appear.
“105?” Ken frowned. There were only 3 digits, so he didn’t know if he had beaten the record, but the pitch certainly felt fast.
‘Maybe I’ll have to wait until I use showdown.’
Meanwhile in the stands, Tom’s eyes widened in shock. He took his glasses off and cleaned them, just to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.
“105… This kid is something special. But he can still improve.” He muttered.
To Tom, it was like he found a dirty diamond. All he needed to do was clean and polish it before its true beauty and value could be shown.
‘I made the right choice coming here…’
