"Play Ball!"
The umpire made the call after receiving confirmation from Ryan that he was ready to start. At these words the crowd went into a frenzy, cheering out loudly for their home team.
Their national pride was on the line as they faced the seemingly unstoppable Japanese team who had blitzed their way through the group stages and super round.
"Batting 1st, Left outfield, Riku."
Riku seemed unaffected by the incessant cheering from the home crowd as he stepped into the batters box. The only thing on his mind was getting in base.
Leo stared him down for a few moments before giving the sign.
While the atmosphere in the crowd was filled with expectation, the field felt tense to all the other players. The grudge match for the US team would begin now.
WHOOOOOSH
PAH
"Strike."