Can you write me a short story about a baseball player in a big game? Write the story in the first person. The story needs to be appropriate for children. It doesn't need an ending at this point.
I stood in the on-deck circle, tracking each pitch. This guy could really throw. I tried not to think too much about how fast, but it was clear this pitcher was throwing close to 100 mph. Down by just 1 run, we desperately needed a baserunner. If I could find a way to get on base, it would give Jake a real chance to change the game. I wanted to swing for the fences, to go for the glory of a home run... but I knew the chances of that were slim. I've hit a few of them, but I was by no means a big power threat. I had made my way onto this team by competing every at-bat, hustling on every ball in play, and doing whatever I could do to help my team win. And I needed to stay true to that now with the game on the line. I flipped my bat, tapping the knob to the ground and dropping the donut. I took one more big hack before making my way to the batter's box.

I stepped up to the plate and performed my ritual. Tap each side of the plate and then tap once in the middle. I loaded the bat to my shoulder and got set for the pitch. The pitcher smirked at me before starting his delivery. He threw a fastball that looked like it was headed straight for my head as I jumped out of the way. Ball one. But that was part of his plan. He wanted to back me off the plate. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. I crept back up to the plate, inching closer this time. He wound up and delivered again, again coming inside. I turned away from the pitch before it reached me, instincts screaming at me to jump away.

"Strike one!" yelled the umpire. He'd caught the inside corner, and I had jumped away like a coward. Never again. I crept in toward the plate again, crowding it this time. Daring him to throw it inside again.