Power Pros Forum

Alonzo noticed John Bradley appearing to be making himself a bed in the luggage compartment of the bus. "You ok, John?"
"I don't have a room, sir."
"Oh, sorry John, you need a roommate then, who would you like to room with?"

A. Sawamura
B. Patterson
C. Huxley

B. Patterson ok

"How about Patterson?" said Alfonzo, "I've been thinking that you should study his pitching technique. This way you can observe the rest of his preparation too."
"Ok" said John.

The Pirates arrived to the local ballpark in Gainesville on Wednesday morning.
The opposing team was already there, taking infield practice.
As they got closer, they realized it was an all women's team.
"What's this?" said Jack,
"Are you kidding us, skip? Girls don't play baseball!"
"Oh really?" said a female voice from behind them.
They turned around to see a young girl, and a familiar looking middle aged man next to her.
"You look familiar..." said Jack,
"El Duque!!", shouted Alonzo, stepping forward to give the man a back slapping bro hug.
Now the Pirates were super confused. What was going on?
"My old buddy set up these games today. Gentlemen, meet Orlando 'El Duque' Hernandez, and his certified genius daughter, Estefania Hernandez, star of the Florida Gators softball team."
"P-p-pl-pleased to greet you" stammered Jack, who immediately felt super woozy.
"She's not only a star athlete, but she's already completed her undergraduate degree and is going to begin medical school next fall".
"Hey guys," said Estefania, "I'm looking forward to competing today. I'm pitching the first game, I'll try to take it easy on you."
A few of the younger guys took the bait and got pretty annoyed by that last comment.
"Stay focused guys," Alonzo warned,"She's better than you think."

Pirates Lineup vs U of F Lady Gators
1. P.Huxley, CF
2. B. Davis, SS
3. C. Santos, 3B
4. J. Jackson, RF
5. A. Brown, C
6. L. Derby, 1B
7. D. Yokel, 2B
8. C.Patterson, SP
9. J. Caselli, LF

U of Florida Lady Gators 1, Carquinez Pirates 0

The Pirates had enough opportunities to win this game, getting a runner to third base five times, but they couldn't knock them in.
Estefania Hernandez gave up no runs on eight hits, over seven innings to earn the win.
The Pirates 1,2,3 hitters went a combined 1 for 12.
Mgr. Alonzo Brown said he'd be shaking things up before the second half of the twilight twin bill.
D.Yokel went 2 for 3
J.Caselli 0 for 3
L.Derby 0 for 3
J.Bradley DNP

Game 2 lineup vs Lady Gators

1. D. Yokel, 2B
2. J. Caselli, LF
3. C. Santos, 3B
4. L. Derby, 1B
5. J. Jackson, CF
6. C. Patterson, RF
7. A. Brown, C
8. J. Bradley, SP
9. B. Davis, SS

John Bradley, debuting his new changeup, was effective over five innings, making just one "mistake" to SS Estefania Hernandez, who wrapped a home run around the left field foul pole with a runner on to put the Gators up 2-1 in the 5th.
"It was off the edge of the plate", said Alfonzo after the game, "Maybe being belt high and off
speed was what allowed Hernandez to put such a great swing on it."
Heading to the 9th inning, the Lady Gators were leading 2-1.
Dusty led off off the top of the 9th with a single. Jack followed with a slow roller to third.
Dusty was out but Jack legged out the relay.
With one out, Cristobal grounded to the second baseman.
Jack was charging hard toward second base to break up the relay to first when he had a heat of the moment dilemma:
Does he:
A. Slide to take the SS out,
B. Go in standing up,
C. Slide for the base

Game 2 vs Lady Gators, continued...

Estefania recived the throw at second base, and got off a leaping throw over the runner to complete the double play and seal the win. In his hasty attempt to take out the Estefania, Jack got spiked in the face, and then she came crashing down on his abdomen, knocking the air out of him. Jack was balled up on the ground, writhing in pain.
"Hey dude, you ok?", inquired Estefania.
Jack could only groan.
Cristobal and Alonzo carried the child to the bus on a stretcher.
Jack will miss the next practice. His status for the Sunday doubleheader is questionable.

Final score: Lady Gators 2, Pirates 1

D. Yokel 1 for 4
J. Casseli 0 for 4
L. Derby 1 for 4
J. Bradley 1 for 3 w/ a double, and 5 IP, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits with 4 K's

After two humbling losses to a softball team--albeit a very capable one--Alonzo needed to relax his mind.
He gave the bus keys to Cristobal and asked him to take the team back to the hotel.
Alfonzo took a walk.
As he was passing a downtown pizzeria, El Duque--treating the Lady Gators to a celebratory meal--saw him pass by and went outside to invite his old friend in.
They sat at a table in the corner for a long time.
Alfonzo asked what Estefania's professional prospects were, as she was clearly a talented ballplayer.
El Duque said that becoming a doctor was the wishes of his wife.
He knew of his daughters athletic talent, but there were no women in baseball. And the travel.
He wouldnt have his only daughter live such a life, and his wife would never allow baseball to interfere with education.
At that, Alfonzo had an idea: He needed help molding this team into a competitive club.
And, from what he'd seen, Estefania could be his starting shortstop tomorrow.
What if she took the time between now and when medical school began to play some ball, see the world, and Dad could come along as chaperone, and show these young guys about what it is to be pro ball players.
El Duque thought for a long time, then smiled.
He said he would do it.
Alfonzo got so excited, he jumped out of his chair.
Duque slowed him down tho.
He'd need to ok it with his wife. And most importantly, Estefania would have to want to go.
They agreed to speak in the morning.
Alonzo went home much more hopeful than he thought possible.

Thursday, December 3rd
As the team was packing the bus to head towards Atlanta, the Hernandez family came walking up.
They had travel bags.
"Is this really happening?" Alonzo asked.
"Yes," said Mrs Hernandez. "And you and your team will treat my daughter with respect, or I will be personally paying you a visit."
"Yes ma'am," said Alonzo.
"I'm so excited to join the team!" said Estefania.

ESTEFANIA HERNANDEZ
SS, infield, RHSP(dual style)
Trj 2, CON 9, PWR 110, SPD 9, ARM 9, FLD 9, ERES 9
TOPSPD 88, CTL 110, STAM 120, SPLT 3, SCB 3

Friday/Saturday practice sessions, December 4/5

The Pirates had secured two games against the Atlanta Braves old timers club for Sunday the 6th.
In the meantime, they took the field, and Alfonzo was watching closely along with new pitching coach Orlando Hernandez on how they might best make improvements.

The first thing that becam clear was that Bob would be moving back to second base, where he'd been an all star the year before, and Estefania would be the new shortstop.
That meant Dusty, Lance and Jack would need to play more outfield to get playing time.
Jack had recovered enough on the travel day to participate in practice, and they were shagging fly balls and making outfield throws with passable skill by Saturday.
Dusty, Lance, John, Jack +1 FLD, +1 ARM

El Duque pulled John aside, and said that if he really wanted to improve his pitching, then El Duque would help. But john needed to understand that it would probably mean that he would advance more slowly as a hitter.
Does John want to:
A. Focus on Pitching
B. Stay with a balanced approach to pitching and hitting

I need to help the rotation A.

"I'd like to focus on my pitching" replied John.
"I was hoping you'd say that.", said Orlando, "first, we need to build up your legs, they are the foundation of your pitching career."
John ran the stadium steps for two hours.
John's TOP SPD +2, STAM +10

This is just really well written for me. I like how you bold the upgrades and upgrade often.

Yeah, I like that too. I can see the upgrades and not strain.

Thx dudes.
I'm enjoying unfolding this story that I've kinda planned out.