Chapter Text
Rain clouds threatened the field as the bottom of the eighth drew in. It had been getting darker as the game had progressed and the players just needed it to hold off a little longer. the Fisher Cats were playing a pre-season friendly against the Norwich Navigators, but nothing could tame Benjamin Poindexter’s desire to win. They were up by five and he planned to open the gap even further.
Dex stepped up, twirling his bat military-style and wearing a shit-eating grin. Although pitching was his forte, he’d been working his ass off to improve his batting and was eager to show it off. His teammates always knew they could count on him, new challenges were no exception.
“You ready, Dex?” The catcher asked as they prepared to get going. The pitcher shakily got into position and the two Fisher Cats on bases kept their eyes fixed on the bat, waiting eagerly for their next move.
“Always.”
The pitcher threw fast but slantwise, immediately knowing he’d let his nerves get the better of him.
“Ball.” The umpire told the field just as the pitcher buried his face in his glove. Dex rolled his eyes in response, still locked in and hoping they wouldn’t make it this easy for him. Everyone took their place once again, the pitcher focusing so hard that he was almost mechanical.
Pitch number two was met with a powerful swing, making a fly ball soar high into the outfield, way too fast for any of the fielders to catch. Dex and his two teammates ran as fast as they could, the latter both making it back to home plate and the former stopping at second.
The Fisher Cats hooted and hollered over the move, a few of them giving Dex thumbs’ up, but all he could do was shrug. He’d promised himself he would knock it out of the park and now the sheer disappointment would eat him alive for the foreseeable.
“Could’ve been better.” He muttered, to no one in particular.
The Navigators never caught up to them and both teams were content with the outcome of the game, coming together to congratulate one another on a good day. They all mixed together in good spirits next to the stands; This was Dex’s least favourite part of game day, that social ritual feeling unnatural and performative to him.
“Thank fuck it stayed dry,” Dex settled on a bench with their coach and watched everyone else chattering at the side of the field.
“For sure, but it would’ve been a good one either way. You did great, kid,” The coach said as he patted him on the back fondly.
“Didn’t get a home run,” Dex stared at his feet and gently kicked the dirt around, “I promise I can do better, Sam.”
“Don’t give me that, you did well and I’m not saying that to placate you. You’ll get to where you wanna be, I know it.”
Dex kept his eyes on the ground and sighed, rubbing both legs slowly. The sounds of his teammates broke through his focus in drips and drabs, prompting him to check the time to see if it was acceptable enough to leave.
“We got a new guy startin’ with us. There’s gonna be some changes to how we operate,” Sam watched Dex wince ever so slightly at the word ‘change’, “It’ll be alright, kid.”
“What kind of changes?”
“We’ll be using balls and bases that make sound. Beep baseball.”
Dex looked at Sam for the first time, puzzled. It seemed like a fairly harmless change and he couldn’t see a palpable downside for himself, but his curiosity was strong.
“You heard of Matthew Murdock? Columbia baseball prodigy who happens to be blind. Plays better than most sighted folks I’ve seen.”
“I gotta go. Sounds good, Sam.” He picked up his bag and made his way out. As he walked past, he could hear everyone else gossip about Murdock. There had been rumours about a new player for some time but he hadn’t really heard it until now. Still in the speculation-stage, people talked about Murdock’s impressive batting average.
“Are you kidding? I’d kill to have that dude on our team.” One guy gushed at the prospect alongside nods and jeers of approval from the group. The conversation continued onto other possible additions, each one eliciting excited reactions from the others. In usual fashion, it seemed that Dex was the only one who didn’t give a shit.
Dex left the field and tried not to psych himself out about what these ‘changes’ could mean for him. More than anything, he worried about falling behind in the process, losing the biggest part of himself and the validation he needed.
“So much for getting fucking anywhere.” He mumbled as he walked, fidgeting with the Barlow he kept in his jacket pocket.
~
Everyone knew Matt was talented but nobody expected him to be a power hitter who could unwaveringly command the field. Towards the end of his first game with the Fisher Cats, his teammates were at ease from the easy soon-to-be win. Meanwhile, Dex was tucked up in one corner of the dugout drowning in his thoughts, in spite of it all. Coach Sam glanced over at him knowingly, as he’d been doing throughout this game.
Soon, the only people left were Dex, Matt, and Sam. The latter two lingered next to the home plate for a post-game chat. The sun projected a quiet orange tint across the field. Right as Sam took his leave, Dex trudged out with his bag over his shoulder.
“Benjamin?” Matt asked, listening to the sound of footsteps
“Dex.”
“Sorry, Dex. I’m sorry we haven’t officially met until now. You’re like, a legend; I’m a huge fan.”
“Well, yeah.” He quipped, stopping to look at him. There was a stark contrast between his soft skin and the stubble creeping up his cheeks. The dirt stains on his uniform were streaked up his side and over his torso, with much more intensity than Dex’s own.
“Sorry to bother you, I just wanted to say hey. Have a good one.” Matt chuckled through his discomfort, gathering himself to walk away.
Dex stayed put, entirely taking in Matt’s movements until he was gone.