Page 28 of The Fall Classic

Georgie

I bet they loved what they saw.

Logan

I hope so.

The September deadline is looming.

That’s when the Major League teams have to finalize their rosters for the postseason.

Georgie

Wow! How are you feeling about that?

Logan

I try not to think about it, so…numb?

Georgie

Well, I’ll feel it for you.

Okay, I’m feeling excitement tempered by a lot of stress. Family hopes and expectations. The frustration of knowing you’re absolutely good enough but this is the most psychologically demanding sport that probably exists and a person’s head can only handle so much.

Oof. Okay, it’s a lot.

Logan

It is. Thanks for understanding.

Georgie

What helps when it all gets too intense?

Logan

…

I lean forward, staring at those dots.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Logan

Idelete the message I just typed:

You being in the stands.

Seriously, Logan, if you want to scare her off all the way, that’ll do it.

It’s the truth, though. Seeing her in both outings made all the difference. My brain was so much quieter with her in the audience that I could try Dr. Chang’s vergence technique in earnest—and it worked. Pitching became an extension of myself again, not an internal battle. It helped that the thing I was focusing on past the laces of my glove was her, whether or not Dr. Chang would approve.

Logan

Turning my mind off.

It’s something my brother can do with no problem, but I struggle with it. Now the team’s sports psychologist has me doing this thing called vergence that seems kind of dumb, but it worked like a charm tonight.