The Bunt
A Short Story on Glory and Sacrifice
Below is a short story I wrote out of the overflow of thinking on the glory of God and the glory he has promised us. We all hunger desperately for glory but the only glory that will satisfy is when our heavenly Father looks at us and says “Well done".”
Drenched in sweat, I could feel the cotton jersey sticking to my back. One foot in the batter’s box, one foot out, I glanced down the third-base line and saw my dad. He looked like a crazy man as he tugged on his shirt, swiped down his arms, wiped his face, and pulled up his shorts. All of this was meaningless until he gave the “indicator.” Finally, he touched his nose and pulled at his right earlobe. Bunt. I was supposed to bunt.
Why would he have me bunt now?
It’s the bottom of the sixth, one out, and Dylan is on second. A base hit would win the game. I need to swing. I need this. I glared down at him; he did the motion again. I put my foot back in the box, gripped my bat tightly, and watched as the pitcher rocked back and threw the ball. I saw it clearly—slow, so slow I knew I could crush it. Watching it spin closer and closer to me, it felt like time stood still. I swung with everything I had, but the ball suddenly dropped out of the strike zone. I looked foolish as it rolled past the catcher, who jogged after it as fast as he could in his oversized gear. Dylan sprang at the opportunity, and by the time the catcher had the ball, Dylan was already on third. The catcher, clearly frustrated, threw the ball back to the pitcher with a threatening look.
My dad called time and jogged up to me.
“Son, I just want you to know that I love you. I’m asking you to bunt, not to take this game out of your hands, but because I trust you with it. A sacrifice here wins the game. And even if nobody else knows it, I’ll know that it was you who won it. I’m proud of you. First base line. I believe in you.”
I was stunned, my mouth still open.
“But—?”
Before I could object, I heard behind me, “Play ball! Get in the box, son, I’m ready to go home!”
I couldn’t believe he was asking me to do this. I stepped back into the box. The pitcher rushed and hurled the ball toward me, but before I had time to think, I could tell it was in the dirt. I let it pass. I stepped back, hoping it had gone to the backstop again, but this time the catcher miraculously blocked it. Dylan stayed at third.
I looked at my dad, and he just winked and smiled at me as he pulled his earlobe again.
I got in there with resolve, knowing exactly what I was going to do. I dug into the front of the batter’s box, crowded the plate, and as soon as I saw the laces on the ball, I squared up and waited, just trying to catch the ball with my bat. Everything was silent.
Ping.
I watched as the ball rolled perfectly down the first-base line, and I took off.
I saw the first baseman sprint past me as I watched the pitcher run toward first. I turned around the moment I hit first and saw the first baseman pick up the ball and flip it to the catcher—only for it to sail over his head as Dylan slid in safe. The noise exploded back to life as the parents and families in the stands screamed and cheered. I watched the dejected players walk off the field.
Everyone poured out of the dugout and swarmed Dylan.
I began walking back to the dugout, and then, out of nowhere, I felt my body swept up in an embrace. My dad had picked me up. Putting me down quickly, he whispered, "Well done, son."
The ride home was quiet, the hum of the car’s engine filling the space between us. The air was cool now, the evening settling in as the headlights illuminated the empty road ahead. The radio was on low, playing something soft and distant, but I barely heard it. I looked out the window, watching the trees blur by, my thoughts still replaying the game. My dad hadn’t stopped smiling since we left the field, his hand occasionally tapping the steering wheel in rhythm with the music.
Breaking the silence, I glanced over at him. "Dad, why did you have me bunt?"
He chuckled softly, still beaming. "Son, I knew you could hit the ball, but I also know you’re the best bunter on the team. And more than that, you’re the most selfless player out there. I knew you’d do whatever it took to win, even if it meant laying one down for your teammate. I’m so proud of you."
His words settled in, a warm feeling spreading through my chest. I leaned back into my seat, a smile tugging at my lips as the music played on.