Lupe Throws Like A Girl

“Did you see the university recruiter back in the stands today? I thought she was all done after we signed our agreements.” Even Penny was nervous about how the season would end and what that meant for the future. Lupe began to panic.

“Do you think they are going to drop us from the team before we even get started? Have you heard something?” This tension didn’t help Lupe’s pitching performance. She was losing her confidence and her dreams. “I knew it was all too good to be true.”

“Tough break, girls.” The university recruiter approached the girls after their third loss.

“We can do better. We’re just in a slump.” Lupe and Penny shifted their weight from foot to foot, slamming the ball into their mitts.

“The end of the season is a bad time for a slump, girls. How is everything else going? Your grades, your community service hours? We’re going to have to cut back on scholarship agreements for the players who don’t fulfill all the requirements.” The recruiter fidgeted with her clipboard and looked uncomfortable.

“Cut back? What does that mean? You promised us!” Lupe heard the panic in her own voice.

“Well, we’ll still include you in our training camp. Believe me, it will be a real improvement over this field.” Lupe felt a stab of shame about her school’s diamond and bleachers. “Your admission is guaranteed, but we may not be able to manage the full scholarship. It’s my job to build a winning team.” It was obvious the recruiter was not impressed. Even worse, she turned her attention to Crusty Crystal at the first opportunity she had and left the girls hanging. “Hey, Crystal, nice arm.”

“This is bad,” Penny said.

“It’s worse than bad. It’s the end. No matter how little she cuts back the scholarship, my mama will not be able to fill the gap. I’m done.” Lupe blamed her volunteer time at the Villa for using up her energy and extra practice time.