No one is the stands were sitting. The tension was as thick as East Texas Chili. The home team crowd exploded in applause and cheering as Downtown Dan strolled to the plate. His uniform covered in dirt from his game tying steal of Home in the 5Th Inning, his bat almost mythic in its size. Downtown Dan led the league in hits, steals, Home Runs and RBI's. Dan stopped, smiled at the crowd and waved to his favorite lady. He stepped into the batters box and turned to face the pitcher.

The Pitcher reared back and fired the ball with all his might. Dan watched it go over the plate. The Umpire yelled Ball ONE. The crowd cheered and the catcher threw it back to the Pitcher.

The Pitcher walked around the mound, wiped his hands checked the runners then let loose his fast ball. Dan swung his mighty bat. STRIKE ONE yelled the Ump. The Catcher threw it back to the Pitcher.

The Pitcher took a quick look at the runners then again fired his fast ball in. Once more Dan let loose with a fence clearing Swing. SWAT, the ball took off fast and high towards the fence, Going, Going … Then the Ump yelled "Foul Ball". The Stands erupted, Cheers and Moans poured down on the field as the umpire signaled Ball 1 Strike 2. The Catcher threw a new ball to the Pitcher.

The Pitcher took a quick look at the runners and let loose with all he had. That flaming fast ball came in high and inside, Dan hit the dirt and the Ump yelled "Ball TWO". The Catcher threw it back to the Pitcher.

The Pitcher checked 3rd, looked in for the sign, nodded and once more gave it all he had. The ball sailed wide to the left as the catcher scrambled to recover it before the runner could score from third. He grabbed the ball and turned to face the runner who quickly retreated to 3rd. The Ump yelled "Ball Three --- Full Count". The Catcher threw the ball back to the Pitcher.

A hush fell over the crowd as they realized they were witnessing one of the defining moments of baseball. The Home Town team down by one in the Championship Game. Bottom of the Ninth, Bases loaded, two outs and a full count. The League's best hitter facing the league's best pitcher. The Championship would be decided by the next pitch.

The Obviously Frustrated Pitcher slowly walked around the mound. He checked the runners then looked in at the batter. Downtown Dan stepped out of the batter's box, wiped his hands on his pants, straightened his helmet, once more waved to his favorite lady then stepped back in. The Pitcher reared back and let go with the best pitch of his life.

Dan gauged the incoming ball and swung his much feared bat. SMACK, the ball lifted high and fast. It crossed 2nd base high in the air a missile flying towards the centerfield fence. The crowd began to scream and shout as the ball closed on the fence. The Centerfielder raced for the fence hoping just to have a chance at it. Halfway through the outfield the ball began to sink but with more than enough height and power to clear the fence. The Centerfielder leaped as the ball cleared the fence.

The whole world seemed to slow down as the ball with all its power spent almost gently fell into the Centerfielder's glove two feet higher than the outfield fence.

The Umpire screamed "Your Out" and the Home team crowd just stared in disbelief. Slowly the mighty warrior Downtown Dan removed his batting helmet and turned to face the Umpire.

A hush once more enveloped the stands as if they were straining to hear what Dan was asking the Umpire but no one but Dan, the Umpire and the catcher would ever know what he asked that day. At least until now. You see I was the 9 year old catcher and Dan with tears in his eyes asked "Dad, can we still go to McDonalds?"

The Umpire smiled and said "Of Course Danny, you did your best and that is all that counts after all its only a game