By early December, with the big tournament only a week away, Coach Talbot amped up the intensity at practice. Logan arrived at the field one evening to find the team buzzing with energy and nerves. The coach had set up a series of tough drills meant to simulate high-pressure, late-inning situations. Logan gulped when he saw what was in store: rapid-fire ground balls, base-running gauntlets, and even a full scrimmage with scripted pressure scenarios. This was going to be the ultimate test of his newfound skills.
The first challenge was a fielding gauntlet. Coach Talbot stood near home plate with a bat in hand and a bucket of balls at his feet. Big Mac loomed beside him, ready to help. Coach Talbot pointed at Logan and hollered, "Alright, Carter! Let's see those quick hands!"
Logan nodded and took his spot at shortstop, knees bent, heart thumping. Big Mac began feeding Coach Talbot baseballs, and the coach hit one grounder after another in rapid succession. Crack! The first ball rocketed toward Logan. He shuffled quickly to his right, scooped it cleanly, and fired to first in one smooth motion.
No sooner had he straightened up than crack! — the next ball was already skidding across the dirt to his left. Logan reversed direction, managed to get his glove on it, but bobbled it for a split second. His heart lurched.
"Stay with it!" Big Mac hollered, smacking another ball immediately.
Logan clamped down on the bobbled ball, planted his foot, and threw to first again. The moment the ball left his hand, the next one was coming. He gritted his teeth and went after the next, then the next, adrenaline kicking in as he pushed himself to his limits. By the end of the drill, Logan was panting and his uniform was streaked with dirt, but he had knocked down or caught most of the balls. His teammates greeted him with fist bumps and claps as he trudged back to the dugout to catch his breath.
"Not bad, Logan," said one of the infielders, giving him a high-five.
Big Mac handed Logan a water bottle and gave him a proud grin. "Told ya those morning runs would pay off," he said with a wink.
Logan managed a tired smile between gulps of water. The pressure had been intense, but he'd held his own. One drill down.
Next up was a base-running and decision-making drill. Coach Talbot set up a scenario on the field. He shouted out to the team, "Tie game, last inning! Logan on first base!"
Logan took a lead off first, knowing this was about practicing whether to take an extra base. On Coach's signal, the batter smacked a line drive into the outfield. Logan took off running as the ball rolled to the fence. Rounding second, he glanced toward Coach Talbot, uncertain if he should push for third or hold at second. He hesitated for a split second.
"Go, go, go!" Drew hollered from the dugout, waving his arm like a windmill.
Logan kicked into gear again and dashed for third. He slid in feet-first, kicking up a cloud of dust as the outfielder's throw zipped past.
"Safe!" yelled the makeshift umpire, his arms spread wide.
Logan stood up, wiping dirt from his pants, but Coach Talbot was already striding toward him, shaking his head.
"Too much hesitation," Coach scolded. "Run like you mean it, Carter! Trust your gut and go all out."
Logan nodded, still catching his breath. "Yes, Coach," he panted.
They reset the scenario and ran it again. This time, when the ball was hit, Logan flew around second base at full speed with no hesitation. He slid into third well ahead of the relay throw. Over and over they practiced different situations—Logan on second deciding whether to tag up on a fly ball, Logan on third deciding whether to sprint home on a grounder. With each repetition, Logan's decisions became quicker and more confident. He was learning to trust his training and react on instinct.
Finally, Coach Talbot announced a full-team scrimmage to cap off the week. He divided the squad in half for a few innings of intense play. It wasn't just any scrimmage; Coach had pre-planned high-pressure scenarios to throw at them. Logan found himself playing shortstop for the "home" team, with Big Mac over at first base. Drew ended up on the opposing "visitors" team, no doubt eager to test Logan in a live game setting.
The scrimmage unfolded with all the drama of a real game. By the final inning, as Coach had intended, it came down to a nail-biting situation: the visiting team (Drew's side) was down by one run. They managed to get a runner on first base with one out. Logan's team clung to a slim lead, and the tension on the field was palpable. Coach Talbot stood behind the mound, acting as both umpire and commentator for the simulation.
He called out loudly, making sure everyone heard: "Alright, last batter! We need a double play to win it. Let's turn two, boys!" He glanced at Logan and added, "Logan, this one's coming to you!"
Logan slapped his glove and lowered into his stance, adrenaline coursing through him. Please, let me do this right, he thought, taking a deep breath. The pitcher went into his windup and delivered the pitch. The crack of the bat echoed as the hitter sent a sharp one-hopper up the middle — a tricky, spinning ground ball headed a few steps to Logan's right.
Logan exploded into motion. He ranged to his right, extending every inch of his reach. The ball took a nasty hop off the dirt, but he got his glove in front of it just in time, smothering it against his chest. In one swift move, Logan stepped on second base to force out the runner coming from first, then pivoted on his heel toward first base. Big Mac was already stretched out at first, his big mitt open as a target. Logan launched the ball across the diamond with everything he had. It wasn't the prettiest throw — a bit low and tailing to the side — but Big Mac handled it, snagging the ball an instant before the batter's foot hit the bag.
"Got him!" Big Mac roared, holding the ball aloft in his glove.
A split-second of silence was followed by an eruption of cheers from the "home" team. They had done it — a clutch double play to end the game. Logan realized he was still standing on second base, heart pounding, the reality of what just happened dawning on him. A wide grin spread across his face.
Drew, who had been the runner on first, jogged over and gave Logan a playful shove on the shoulder. "You did it, bro! That was awesome," he laughed, clearly happy for his friend despite being on the losing side of the scrimmage.
Logan let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding and laughed. "I actually did it," he said, his voice filled with disbelief and joy.
Coach Talbot walked over with a proud grin. "Now that is how you turn two," he said, clapping Logan on the back. He looked as pleased as if they'd won an actual championship game. Coach cleared his throat, trying to maintain his tough demeanor. "Keep that up, and we're going to do just fine in the tournament."
Big Mac hoisted Logan's arm into the air like a victorious prizefighter. "Wrong-Way who? I only know Clutch Carter now!" he bellowed, coining a new nickname on the spot that made Logan blush.
The whole team laughed and started chanting, "Clutch Carter! Clutch Carter!" in unison.
Logan's face was red, but this time it was with pride. He couldn't stop the goofy smile from spreading ear to ear. As the team began collecting the balls and gear, Coach Talbot pulled Logan aside, speaking in a lower, sincere tone.
"Logan," the coach said quietly, "you've earned your spot on the roster. You'll be our starting second baseman in the tournament."
Logan's eyes widened. He had been hoping to make the starting lineup, but hearing it confirmed left him momentarily speechless. Then he broke into a huge smile. "Thank you, Coach. I won't let you down," he vowed, his voice earnest.
Coach Talbot nodded. "I know you won't, son."
As dusk settled and the field lights shut off, Logan walked off the diamond surrounded by his teammates. They jostled him playfully, joking about how they needed sunglasses for that bright future of his. The same field that had witnessed his ridiculous missteps just weeks before had now seen him come full circle. Logan had stumbled, learned, and fought his way to become a real ballplayer that his team could count on.
He glanced up at the night sky and let the cool air fill his lungs. Tomorrow, they would head to the tournament. There would be tough games and high stakes, no doubt. But tonight, Logan Carter felt ready. The boy once known as "Wrong-Way Logan" was walking tall, confident that he could step onto that field in December and play the game the right way.