© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi.
A ball game’s a ball game even at “The K” in Kansas City.
Jeff scored a hot dog and watered-down beer and relaxed back into his seat. The Royals were playing against the Texas Rangers but that didn’t matter much to him. It was kind of strange to be watching baseball in February, but it was in the low 50s, so he thought a light jacket would do.
No one paid much attention to him unless he wanted them to, like the food vendor. Jeff had been dead for half a century but he still loved a good ball game.
I wrote this for the 24 February 2023 edition of Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ Friday Fictioneers writing challenge. The idea is to use the image above as the inspiration for writing a story or poem of no more than 100 words. My word count is 100.
Of course I thought of baseball and looked up the stadium which is located in Kansas City, Missouri. They really are playing against the Rangers on the 24th and 25th for spring training.
Last week, I included a ghost in my wee tale, so I decided to include one today. Being dead doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good hot dog and beer while watching baseball.
To read more of my work try my magical fantasy story “The Price” which is now available in the anthology Fantastic Schools Volume Six.
Chapter 2 of Frank and the Plot of the Hypnotizing Slime, which I wrote with my seven-year-old granddaughter is ready to read for free (eight chapters total).
Oh, to read other stories inspired by the challenge, go to inlinkz.
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I certainly wouldn’t want to diminish your fun in writing this cute story, but I have it on pretty reliable authority that “being dead [actually does] mean you can’t enjoy a good hot dog and beer while watching baseball.”. This does depend, of course, on what kind of “dead” is under consideration. Some might insist on a distinction between being “mostly dead” and “all dead”. Some exceptions might be made for the metaphorically or spiritually dead as distinct from the ontologically dead. Nonetheless, the enjoyment of attending a baseball game is probably beyond all of them. But, have it your own way, as you wish.
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In this case, you might be overthinking the story. I’m just having a little fun. 😉
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Made me think of ‘Field of Dreams’. I wonder where I would choose to spend my afterlife, if we get a choice. The ballpark is not a bad idea at all.
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When my Dad died almost six years ago, my Mom said she could still feel his presence a little while afterward. My wife believes that a spirit takes time to say goodbye to their life before moving on. Jeff just hasn’t learned to let go yet.
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He truly enjoyed the match!
Being dead is not being really dead when we still get to do what we did when we were alive!
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We all have different ideas about what is Heaven.
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Death doesn’t seem so bad
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For some people that could be true.
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As long as I can still enjoy a pint or three, and a spirit or two in the pub after I’m dead, I’ll be happy!
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Me too.
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I say why the heck not! Good story, James.
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Thanks.
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You’re welcome.
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Dear James,
Now that’s a died in the wool fan.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He is indeed. Thanks.
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I’m wondering–if a ghost eats and drinks, can you see through it to the contents of its stomach? 🙂
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He should try Iowa. I’ve heard ghosts come right out of the corn and get to play.
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Is this heaven?
No, it’s … Missouri.
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Loved this. Fun story!
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Thanks.
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Sounds like as good a plan as any. Well done.
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Thank you.
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I like the idea of being dead and still enjoying life! Why the heck not?
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Why the heck not, indeed?! But, then, you’d have to ask yourself why bother being dead at all? And then there’s that pesky cognitive dissonance from not being able to distinguish between being alive and dead, and not knowing what are one’s responsibilities when the game is over or being able to recognize when the game really is over or where to go afterwards or ….
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Or… indeed.
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Thanks.
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I loved the ending; a ghost hanging out watching baseball. Entertaining tale, James!
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Thank you.
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Dead or alive, like you said, a ball game’s a ball game. And a beer is a beer. But what do I know? Nicely done.
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Thanks, Bill.
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Oh dear, not sure i want him next to me.
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The way I wrote it, no one notices him unless he wants them to, so I’m sure it would be okay. 😉
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