Crunch Time

When the game is on the line, you want a clutch performer on your side. Here’s what sets the coolest customers apart.

It’s the final inning. Your team is down by a run. The bases are loaded, but there are two outs. You stand at home plate, eyes locked on the mound, bat ready, waiting for the next pitch.

You’ve hit thousands of baseballs before. You know the routine. Get your stance right, your body balanced. Don’t grip the bat too tightly; stay loose. Keep your eye on the ball. Step forward, shift your weight, take a strong cut, and follow through.

But the last thing you want to do is think about any of that.

(full article published in Sports Illustrated Kids, October 2014)