The GHOST and Charlie Dusenberry

PG. 82 TGACD R. ZEIS

The days and practices passed. Saturday dawned and it looked like another good day to play a baseball game. The rift between Gus and Charlie had widened so much so that they barely spoke to one another. The kids on the team continued to practice hard and they improved despite noticing the problem between their two coaches. A couple of the parents had approached Charlie and expressed their concerns about Gus’ tough discipline towards their kids. Charlie did his best to calm them down. What helped was that some parents had phoned him and actually approved of how Gus was coaching. Charlie thought that was because they didn’t attend the practices and see firsthand what was going on. It would be interesting to see what happens when everyone comes to watch a game.

Eleven Yankees sat on the dugout’s bench waiting to hear the lineup for the second game of the season against today’s opponent, the Angels. Still no word on if or when Skinny Mickelson would return to the team. Susan once again was handling the scorebook and called out the positions the kids would play. As each name was called the kids raced out of the dugout to their positions. Today, the Yankees would be the ‘home’ team.

“I see you did something right today,” said Gus to Charlie as he watched DD warmup from the pitcher’s mound. “DD looks like he belongs out there.”

Charlie, ignoring the slight, agreed that DD looked good out there. “Let’s hope he has a good enough game to keep us in it.”

“Yeah,” said Gus. “The big question is whether some of these lazy ones will move their butts or not.”

Charlie sighed and moved away from his father and joined Susan at the other end of the dugout.

“I don’t like the way Mr. Baxter talks to you or the kids,” said Susan. “What’s his problem?”

Charlie had to think about his reply. He had to remember Susan didn’t know who Gus was. “I think he’s living too much in the past. Something must have happened to him a while ago.” Charlie thought to himself he wasn’t lying to Susan, at least about that.

“I don’t like him,” Susan said. “But it’s funny.”

“What’s funny?”

PG. 83 TGACD R. ZEIS

Susan was looking at Gus when she said, “It’s funny that I don’t like him, but somehow I feel I should. Funny, huh?”

Charlie didn’t say anything but leaned down to kiss Susan on the forehead. “He’s a piece of work.”

“Where did he come from, anyway?”

Charlie had a ready answer for that. Cleon Jones’ dad had asked him the same thing. “The league sent him my way.”

The conversation ended when the umpire yelled, “Play ball!” DD stood waiting on Grego, his catcher, to give him a sign as to what pitch he wanted him to throw. A fastball on the inside corner of the plate was called strike one. The game was on.

The top of the first inning ended with the Angels only able to get one hit off of DD, a single. A pop-up and two strikeouts sent the Yankees off the field and back into the dugout. It was their turn to hit.

The night before, Charlie had decided to shake things up when it came to the lineup. Gus had given him his opinion on what the batting order should be, but Charlie decided he would make the final decision. Instead of putting DD and Grego in the third and fourth power positions in the lineup, Charlie put them one and two.

“Why is DD leading off?” asked Gus. “I told you he should bat third.”

“Yeah, I thought it might be fun to see how he does as the leadoff hitter,” answered Charlie.

“So, you ignored what I had to say?” fumed Gus.

“Pretty much,” Charlie replied.

Before Gus could say anything the Angel’s pitcher began his windup and tossed his first pitch of the game. DD was ready and took a powerful cut at the ball. It connected and sent a high fly ball to left field.

“GO BALL!” yelled Gus.

The fly ball easily cleared the outfield fence and the 200-feet marker. A home run! The Yankees led 1-0.

PG. 84 TGACD R. ZEIS

DD’s teammates rushed out of the dugout to greet him as he crossed home plate. Gus stood waiting for him at the dugout entrance. “DD, you’re a chip off the ’ol block!” Gus told him. DD gave Gus a puzzled look and took a seat after exchanging more high fives. His mother gave him a hug.

“Way to go, son!” exclaimed Charlie. “I’m proud of you!”

DD swelled up with happiness. It may have taken a while, but his father was finally appreciating his play. He hoped the attention would continue.

The game turned into a pitcher’s duel. DD’s home run remained the only score for the Yankees. DD held the Angels scoreless until the fifth when a double and then an error by Tommy Waldrip in right field led to the tying score.

After Tommy had dropped the fly ball, Gus had been waiting for him by the third baseline. Charlie couldn’t hear what was said, but by the expression on Tommy’s face, Gus must have unloaded on him.

Charlie pulled Gus aside and asked him what he had said to Tommy.

“I told him to grow up and stop being afraid of the ball,” said Gus. “It’s something you should have said to him a long time ago.”

Once again anger flared up inside Charlie. “Dad, you’ve got to stop treating these kids like they are grown adults! Tommy is a good kid. He’s a nerd! How about showing some compassion?”

A deep frown appeared on Gus’ face. “When I screwed up, my dad didn’t bother with compassion. He let me know how I screwed up,” answered Gus. “It made me grow up fast.”

“Yeah, it made you grow up, all right,” said Charlie. “But it didn’t do anything to help you grow as a person. There’s a difference.”

Just as Gus was about to respond to Charlie, Susan approached them. “I don’t know what you two are talking about, but this doesn’t appear to be the time or the place for it.”

Both men separated. Gus went onto the field to take his place in the third-base coach’s box. Charlie stayed in the dugout next to Susan. “What is it between you two?” she asked Charlie. “It looks at times to be a family feud.”

“I don’t want to talk about it right now,” was all Charlie had to say.

The Yankees failed to score in the bottom half of the fifth inning despite Grego’s triple to right field with two out. Wally Wilson struck out on four pitches ending the Yankee threat.

PG. 85 TGACD R. ZEIS

In between pitches, Wally would look at Gus with a scared look on his face. It didn’t go unnoticed by Charlie.

In the top of the sixth, and last inning, the Angels pushed across the go-ahead run on two singles and a ground ball that went between Jason and Jack Helmuth at shortstop and third base. Both players watched the ball dribble between them into left field. As soon as the ball went past them they began arguing whose fault it was. The result was a 2-1 Angel’s lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning.

After DD struck out the Angel’s first baseman for the final out of the inning, the Yankees gathered in their dugout. Charlie was about to address the kids when Gus stepped in front of him.

“OK, what just happened on the field was inexcusable! You’ve got to talk to one another! That was bush league!”

“What’s a bush league?” asked Willow Spencer.

“Never mind that,” said Gus. “Let’s show some guts out there for a change! Let’s win this!”

Charlie and Susan exchanged exasperated looks. When no one else said anything, Susan broke the silence by announcing the first three batters this inning.

“Up first is Tommy. Next,” Susan paused while smiling at DD, “I mean on deck, is Cleon, and then Chris.”

Gus, before taking his spot in the third-base coach’s box, called Tommy to him. “For Pete’s sake, Tommy, stop being afraid of the ball! Get up there and attack…swing the bat!”

Tommy shook his head OK, but it was apparent to everyone on the Yankees’ bench, that he was not OK as he walked to home plate.

“Can’t you pinch-hit for this guy?” yelled Gus to Charlie.

“No,” answered Charlie. “Everyone has been in the game.” Charlie was about to turn away from his father when he added, “Let’s give him a chance!”

Gus mumbled to himself, “fat chance.”

All eyes were on Tommy as he stepped into the batter’s box and took a few tentative warm-up swings. When he was ready, the umpire pointed at the pitcher and the Angel’s hurler let loose his first pitch. It was a pitch that came very close to Tommy’s knees causing the youngster to jump back quickly.

PG. 86 TGACD R. ZEIS

“Ball one!” cried the umpire.

Normally, that would be a good thing for the Yankees’ batter, but not for Tommy. Instead of resuming his place in the batter’s box he stepped as far from the plate as he could while still being in the batter’s box.

“Tommy!” screamed Gus, “move closer to the plate!”

Tommy looked over his left shoulder at Gus but did not move. Several parents in the stands took up Gus’ advice. “You can’t hit the ball that far away, Tommy!” “Move closer!”

With the spectators and teammates yelling at him, Tommy didn’t have a chance. Three pitches later he had struck out and never once swung the bat. One out.

“Tommy!” was all a disgusted Gus said as he watched the boy retreat to the dugout.

“You’ll get him next time,” DD offered slapping Tommy on the back. The boy smiled weakly at DD and found a place on the bench as far from everyone as possible.

Up next was Cleon Jones. Halfway to home plate he stopped and ran back to the dugout where he handed his earplugs to Charlie. “Oops! Sorry coach, but I had to finish that song! I needed the groove!”

Smiling, Cleon ran to home plate and dug his right foot into the dirt. His father yelled encouragement along with all the other parents. It was getting loud at the ballpark.

After two pitches missed their mark, the Angel’s pitcher tried to throw a curveball that didn’t curve very much. Cleon smacked it into left field for a single. Cleon’s teammates started jumping up and down with excitement. They were in this game.

Chris Harper, or Beast, moved into the batter’s box next. The first pitch to the right-hander was crushed to left field. The ball climbed high into the sky as screams from the Yankees echoed around the park. But, at the last second, the ball took a left turn.

“Foul ball!” concluded the umpire.

Fans and ballplayers returned to their seats amid disappointed murmurs. Charlie nearly swallowed his tongue when the ball turned victory into just a long strike. “Way to go, Beast!” he yelled when he got control of his tongue again.

However, Beast did not provide any more dramatics that day. He struck out swinging on a two balls, two strikes count. Beast returned to the dugout with his head down despite Susan and Charlie slapping him on the back. There were now two outs.

PG. 87 TGACD R. ZEIS

The Yankees’ last hope now approached home plate, Mohammad Ator. The eleven-year-old was new to Grande Forkes and had admitted he hadn’t played baseball very much until this year. Charlie had turned a lot of his training over to his son, DD, during practice. The jury was still out on how much he had learned.

“Great!” commented Gus sarcastically. “Charlie, is this guy any good?” Gus’ voice carried to the parents in the stands.

Charlie chose not to answer his father. He kept his eyes on Mohammad and yelled encouragement along with his kids and the Yankees’ parents in the stands.

Mohammad had fallen in love with this game. His parents had migrated to the USA about a year before he was born. Growing up in Michigan, Mohammad didn’t discover baseball until his family moved down to Texas where the warmer weather allowed him to follow the spring sport. He was proud to be an American and felt learning the nation’s pastime was the way to show his love.

DD’s help during practice enhanced his desire to succeed in baseball. As he stepped to the plate he prayed to Allah to help him.

“Well, if it isn’t the local terrorist,” greeted the Angel’s catcher with a giggle.

“What are you talking about?” answered Mohammad.

“All the kids know you’re Muslim.”

“That does not mean I’m a terrorist. I’m an American!”

Giggling again, the catcher said, “Sure you are.”

With a rage he hadn’t felt before, Mohammad stepped on home plate and looked down at the still smirking catcher. “I’m an American!”

The catcher jumped to his feet and removing his mask jammed his face into Mohammad’s and the two of them began yelling at each other. A moment later, the pushing and shoving began. The umpire tried to pry them apart. Soon players and parents rushed onto the field where pushing and shoving threatened to turn the little league game into a small riot.

Charlie, Gus, and Susan were in the middle of the crowd trying to separate everyone. Finally, Mohammad’s parents were able to pull their son away from the mob and walk him back to the dugout.

Ahmed Ator, Mohammad’s father, left his son’s side to approach Charlie. “What is all this?”

PG. 88 TGACD R. ZEIS

Charlie, feeling embarrassed by what had occurred, could only apologize. “Ahmed, I’m so sorry about all this. I’m so glad we have Mohammad as part of this team. I can’t speak for the other team or parents, but I believe a kid said something stupid. Again, I’m so sorry.”

“I’m thinking of pulling Mohammad out of this league!” said a very angry Ahmed. “How could you let this happen? Even one of your coaches said things about my son I did not care for.”

Before Charlie could respond, Mohammad came to his coach’s defense. “Father, do not be mad at Coach Dusenberry. He has been very kind to me.” Turning to face his coach, “I believe we BOTH are still learning about this game.”

“You’re right about that,” agreed Charlie. As he said that he looked at Gus who had joined them. Gus looked a bit sheepish.

When Ahmed didn’t look like he was convinced about what to do, Mohammad spoke up.

“Father, I want to get back into the game. I’m at-bat right now. Since you and mother have been here, have you not learned that Americans don’t quit?”

“Ahmed, what happened was unfortunate,” Charlie once again addressed Mohammad’s father. “Please let me gather some apologies about all this.” Looking at Mohammad with a smile on his face he added, “We all want to finish this game.”

Ahmed stood silently for a moment looking Charlie, Gus, and Mohammad in the eye. “I will listen to the apologies,” Ahmed finally agreed.

“Good,” said Charlie as he walked to home plate. Most of the parents had returned to the stands behind the plate and both teams had returned to their dugouts. “May I ask that everyone gather near the fence so you can hear me. And please I need both teams to take a knee here at the plate.”

It took a minute for everyone to react, but people did as Charlie had asked. When everyone was settled, Charlie spoke. “I think most of us here did not like what just happened. This is the LITTLE LEAGUE, not the pro’s.” Charlie looked at Gus when he said that last part. “We can’t let what a child says to another child ruin why we are here. This game is part of our American culture. It’s part of our children’s lives. It’s actually what life is all about. I’m learning that every time I come to practice.”

Gus heard this and couldn’t look his son in the eye. He stared at the ground when Charlie continued.

PG. 89 TGACD R. ZEIS

“How we act as parents sets an example for how our children act. I don’t think that the mob scene we just witnessed is a good example for our kids.”

Gus really looked uncomfortable now. He slowly worked his way to the dugout while Charlie spoke, and then walked to the back of the stands. Everyone was focused on Charlie and no one saw him enter a bright mist.

Charlie turned to the Angel’s coach, “Coach Fullbright, do you wish to say something?”

Fullbright came forward with his arm around the Angel’s catcher. “Yes, I want to add my apology to the young man who was at-bat.” Fullbright located Mohammad and nodded to him. “And I believe this young man has something to say.”

Walter, the Angel’s catcher was looking at the ground as his coach guided him by his arm to face Mohammad. “I’m sorry,” Walter said looking up. “You’re not a terrorist.”

“No, I’m an American,” stated Mohammad. “Just like you are.” Mohammad extended his right hand and Walter, after a brief hesitation, extended his hand. As they shook hands parents and players started to applaud.

Charlie waited a minute while the applause slowly died away before asking, “Can we finish this game?”

More applause erupted and then parents returned to their seats amid excited chatter. “I told you I really liked our coach, didn’t I?” said Mr. Jones. He didn’t notice the surprised looks on several of the parents seated nearby.

“That was a lovely speech,” said a smiling Susan as Charlie got back to the dugout. “I’m really proud of you. I’d give you a kiss, but we must set an example.”

“Yes, we must. But, I plan on collecting that kiss later,” he said while squeezing his wife’s hand.

The Angels re-took the field while Cleon ran to take his place at first base. Charlie was watching all this when he felt a tug on his arm. It was Mohammad.

“Thank you, Coach Dusenberry.”

“No, thank YOU, Mohammad,” said Charlie. “Now, go and do your very best.” Mohammad smiled and headed towards home plate.

“Where’s Mr. Baxter?” asked Susan.

Charlie immediately looked to the third base coach’s box and saw it was unoccupied.

PG. 90 TGACD R. ZEIS

“Now, where did he go?”

After looking around the small field, Charlie could not find his father. He wondered if Gus had been called back to ‘up there.’

“Grego, go coach third base for me,” Charlie ordered as Mohammad got ready to bat for his Yankees.

After the game, a 2-1 loss, many of the Yankees’ parents came up to Charlie to compliment him on how he handled things that day. Charlie thanked them all, including a beaming Mr. Jones who seemed to have become his number-one fan.

“That was some game, Dad,” said DD.

“Yeah, it was,” agreed Charlie. “Too bad Mohammad grounded out instead of getting a hit!” Even though a hit would have been like a happy ending to a movie, Charlie felt his team left with a positive vibe.

“Let’s take this a step at a time, coach,” said Susan as she hugged her husband. “A step at a time.”

Charlie hugged his wife back and then picked up the equipment bag. As he and his family walked to their car, Charlie’s mind raced over the day’s events. There were good things and bad things about the day. But, one mystery dominated his mind right then. Where did his father go, and why did he leave?