MY MEMORIES

Charles Glenn Petersen

1946 - Terril Years

Sports (continued)

We then played in the District Tournament against Arnolds Park, they had won their Sectional Tournament. I was ready for them this time and everything was going just fine until I gave up a hit in the 3rd or 4th inning. Then I gave up a walk so they were running on first and second base. I went into my stretch and when I looked at the runner on second he broke for third. All I had to do was toss the ball over to third and we had him, but instead I aimed the ball instead of just throwing it and it landed about 10 feet in front of the third baseman and bounced right between his legs and rolled right through the fence and out of the field of play. The runner scored and the runner from first was held at third. The next batter laid down a perfect bunt. The catcher had to stay at home to guard the plate so I had to field the ball. By the time I got to the ball the runner from third had already scored since he had broken for home as soon as I threw the ball. We were now down 2-0 with a runner on first and nobody out. I stuck out the side and we were still in the game. I struck out a total of 14 batters out of the 21 I faced in that 7th inning game, but we lost anyway. They said my errant throw cost us the game, but we didn't score a single run. The other pitcher struck out 10 and scattered 3 hits. We never really threatened. You can't win if you don't score.