Dallen's 1st pitching experience

Dallen had a baseball game today. It was the bottom of the 9th with his team, the Orioles, winning. There was 1 out when Orioles Coach Brian Sekiguchi made a walk to the pitcher's mound. He called Dallen in from centerfield and handed him the ball. Dallen was flabbergasted. I could see his look of disbelief all the way from my seat in the stands. But, he was a trooper and started taking his warm-up pitches.

Now, picture large, arching rainbows from the pitcher's mound to homeplate and you will be able to see a Dallen pitch. (insert BIG smile here)

I was super nervous for him because he had never pitched before. His first pitch, the batter must have been severely befuddled because he took a swing and completely missed the ball. Strike 1. Second pitch - another swing and a miss, strike 2. Oh boy! Next pitch, ball. Final pitch for this batter, swing...HIT...pop-up to the second baseman. OUT! 2 outs! Yay!

By now, I'm completely out of nails to bite.

Next batter. Pitch 1 - swing, miss, strike 1. Pitch 2 - huge swing, popped WAY up between second base and center...oh no, it's going to fall...great diving catch by the centerfielder!! Out 3, game over! Yay!

Whew!! I asked Dallen how he felt about pitching. He said he was really nervous. Apparently, he has never even practiced pitching! He couldn't believe his coach was putting him on the mound. But, he did it - he was a trooper in a very difficult situation and he did his best.

Very proud of you, son!