The Olympiad did not end before giving the sun dogs of the Vannish sports media one more highlight. It was the bottom of the 8th. Vangaziland was down 1-0 after a struggle at the plate. Announcer Art Anvalet of BCBC was credited with the play call on the network carrying the event in Vangaziland.
Anvalet had a true baseball caller's voice.
"Pete Kelderssen steps forward, bringing up the top of the order. Runners on first and third. One out."
The Vangazi takes two warm up swings, digs his feet into the ground and gets his stance. The pitcher is staring him down, having seen the catcher's sign.
"The windup. The pitch." The ball sails just outside of the plate. Kelderssen watches. The Ump signals.
"Ball. Kelderssen let's that go by."
The dramatic scene of warm-ups repeats once again. This time, the second baseman swings. There is contact. The ball climbs high, curves.. Then curves a little more.
"Foul. One and One. Kelderssen is batting .289 during the Olympiad, one of the Vannish leaders in hits and RBIs. He'll be trying to bring home the tying run at third."
He steps back, takes extra preparation on his swing and returns to the plate. He waves the bat inwards as he waits. The windup. The pitch.
*Clink*
The announcer switches to his excited voice. "It is high, it is strong... It. Is..." He paused as the ball approached the warning track. It sailed over the left field wall. "GONE! Three run homer by Pete Kelderssen."
And then the announcer had to add his little extra saying that all announcers know will be repeated over the radio during every highlight shown.
"Night, night.. Sleep tight.. The bat bugs bite! Could it be? It be!"
The second baseman trotted slowly around the bases as the Vangazi stood and cheered, not for the win, but the spirit of the games. There was still half of an inning left, but the entire team met at home plate to exchange high fives.
Britonisea (BRI) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 | 1
Vangaziland (VNG) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 X | 3 Bronze, Demonstration
