"I've been told
the Oriole's private jet is being prepped so if there's a call for an
evacuation they'll be ready to fly out of harm's way."
"Well Ted, let's
hope they can make some room for us onboard, huh?"
"You bet, Bob. I'm
sure it's going to be one heck of a traffic jam out there. Hang on a second,
Kevin Doolittle, our PA announcer, is about to make a public announcement to
the crowd here in the stadium. Let's listen in."
"Ladies and
gentlemen, may I please have your attention. This is an official announcement
from the United States government. A tsunami of massive proportions in the
Eastern Atlantic is heading for the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area. The
President has declared a federal emergency and the Capitol is being evacuated.
All persons within the target zone are advised to leave the area at once and to
take as much food and water with them as possible. The tsunami is expected to
reach the East Coast in eight and a half to nine hours. Thank you."
"Ted, would you
look at that. This is truly heartwarming. They've just been told about an
impending disaster of biblical proportions and not one single Oriole's fan has
budged or made a move for the exits. My word, how extraordinary."
"Yes, Bob, it
shows you what these O's fans are made of. Tsunami or no tsunami, they're here
for their team. No fair weather fans are these."
"You got it right,
Ted. You won't find more loyal fans anywhere. All right. Reese Harper steps
into the box to try and pick up Miller on third base and give the O's another
run here in the bottom of the fourth. He swings at Bosley's first pitch and
hits one high and deep. This one could go all the way. Yankee left fielder Lou
Maroni is running back to the wall at full speed... he leaps... and... he
catches it over the fence! What a sensational grab by Maroni. He took a homerun
away from Harper and robbed the O's of two more runs. A heartbreaker for the
Orioles but you've got to tip your cap to Maroni, who's getting high fives and
low fives from his teammates for one of the outstanding catches this season."
"Yes, Bob, that
was unquestionably highlight material. We've finished four so we're officially
in the books. There's a meeting going on at home plate. The umpires have come
in and along with the managers of both teams are undoubtedly trying to decide
whether to call the game or try to finish it before the tsunami comes ashore
and wreaks havoc. The Yanks, being behind by a run, would like to play it out,
while naturally the O's wouldn't mind if the game got called as that would put
a W in their column. While they're in discussion, let me read you the latest
bulletin. It says the President and Vice President have left the Capitol and
preparations are underway to handle the flood of evacuees expected to be
heading inland or down the coast. Gas stations have waiting lines and
supermarkets shelves are being emptied as people stock up on everything from
water to canned goods. And this latest alert just in-"
"Excuse me, Ted,
but the meeting at home plate has broken up and we're anxiously awaiting the
decision. The umps are going back into the field and home plate umpire Roger
Knockley is raising his right arm."
"Play ball!"
"That's right, you
heard it. Knockley called out play ball! A tremendous cheer from the crowd
welcomes the news that the game will go on. I tell you, Ted, the dedication and
devotion these players and fans have for this great game of ours brings a lump
to the throat. Frankly, I've never seen anything like this."
"I'm with you on
that, Bob. Anybody who tries to run down the American people or their spirit,
resolve, and determination in the face of adversity should be here today to
witness this for themselves. And look out in the bleachers. Some fans have
somehow put together a banner. Can we get the home plate camera to focus on it
and bring it up on the monitor? Can you read it, Bob?"
"Sure can. It
says: F the tsunami, go O's, God bless America!"
"And now the whole
stadium's getting to see the banner on the giant monitor screen over the
scoreboard and the crowd is cheering, applauding, stamping their feet, and
whistling their approval."
"I tell you, Ted,
the folks here are exemplifying the kind of fortitude, guts and moral fiber
that have made our country what it is today. We're proud of this ball club and
we're proud of these fans. You gotta love "em, don't you, Ted?"
"Exactly my
sentiments, Bob. This will be a moment to remember."
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