Hit and Bunt

A submission for the weekly short-short note project

I was always a perennial substitute. My job was just to keep the bench warm during official games.

But that day was different. The score was tied 3-3, bottom of the 9th. One out.

The manager whispered to me, "I know you've been practicing your bunting. Listen, it's a hit-and-run."

I nodded and stepped up to the plate.

The first pitch was a fastball for a strike. On the second pitch, I showed bunt, but the pitcher threw an off-speed ball. I swung and missed, making it two strikes.

If I didn't get a result here, I'd go back to being a perennial substitute again.

He wound up—come on, give me a fastball.

I tapped the ball between first and second base. I ran at full speed. The throw, then the slide.
Safe. The runner on second also advanced.

It was a success. A hit-and-run.

Just then, a bottle of wood glue rolled out of my pocket.
This is my good luck charm.

I call it—the wood-glue bunt. (325 characters)

I wrote this for the weekly short-short note prompt.
Thank you for the prompt.