The Big Field

At the Santaluces Athletic Complex in Lantana, Florida, the Boynton Beach Post 226 Cardinals play the Palm Beach Post 12 Braves. The Cardinals are winning 7–6 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. If the Cardinals hold on, they will go on to the South Florida regionals. If they lose, their season will be over. The Cardinals closer, Pedro Mota, pitches badly, so the manager, Ken Cullen, puts in Paul Garner, the left fielder.

Hutch plays for the Cardinals. As Paul warms up, Hutch considers talking to Darryl Williams, the best player on the Cardinals, but they don’t communicate much. Frequently, Darryl looks “bored.” Hutch, however, loves baseball. The Braves batter hits the ball to the shortstop, and Hutch does everything the shortstop should, but Darryl—not Hutch—is the shortstop.

Hutch plays second, and Darryl gets the ball and throws it to Hutch just in time to get the batter at first. The Cardinals win, so they’re off to the regionals.

Cody Hester plays right field for the Cardinals, and he and Hutch have been like “best friends” or “brothers” since they were five.