Heat

The conflict between the Clippers and Justin’s team rises on the field, as Kel and the other players admire how “the boy can pitch” (64). By the fourth inning, Michael is the only player who hasn’t struck out. When he hits a “stand-up triple,” Justin prods at him, asking if Michael is “always this lucky” (65). Michael scores when Justin throws a wild pitch to the next batter, then watches Justin and his coach, who is also his father, urge the catcher to do a better job.

From there, Justin continues to struggle, even walking Maria, “a girl […][who] hadn’t made contact with the ball the whole game” (66). Michael smiles when he hears Justin’s father urge him to “throw strikes” and “relax,” but Justin grows angry, thinking that Michael is “laughing at [him]” (67). On the next pitch, he throws a fastball that hits Michael in the head.

When he rises up from the hit, Michael draws the concern of both his teammates and Mr. Minaya. Mr. Minaya says he plans to pull Michael from the game, but Michael begs him to stay in. As he jogs onto the field, Michael tells Manny that Justin “[is] going down” (69). Michael loses some of his accuracy, but he continues pitching, aware that his teammates watch nervously to see what he will do to Justin.