(Fiction, Satire) "It's a perfect summer day here at Orioles Park at Camden Yards in beautiful downtown Baltimore, sunny and clear, not a cloud in the sky, with a pleasant breeze blowing through the stadium, outstanding weather for a ballgame..." that is as long as you don't let news of an impending tsunami spoil the day.

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(Fiction, Satire)

"It's a perfect summer day here at Orioles Park at Camden Yards in beautiful downtown Baltimore, sunny and clear, not a cloud in the sky, with a pleasant breeze blowing through the stadium, outstanding weather for a ballgame. If you're just tuning in, we've got a good one going. The Orioles are finishing up a three-game home stand with the New York Yankees and after splitting the first two games, this is the rubber match. A win here would be a big boost for the O's, right Ted?"

"Definitely, Bob. The Orioles are in third place and the Yanks on top in the American League East Division, but taking this series would put the O's in second place ahead of the Red Sox and only one game behind New York. Both pitchers have been sharp today and we're going into the bottom of the fourth inning with a 1-1 tie. The O's have the heart of their lineup due up, so we'll see if they can get a rally going here."

"OK, Ted. The Oriole's all star centerfielder Pepe Montero steps in the box as Yankee pitcher Bosley settles in on the mound and looks in for the pitch call from his catcher Jamie Woodall. Bosley's first pitch is a sinker down and away and Montero watches it go by for a called ball. Montero's 4 for 12 against Bosley this season, a solid .333 average, so if Bosley gives him something to hit, Pepe will take a good rip at it. We've just been handed a news bulletin which we'll read to you after Bosley's next pitch... and it's a slider that Pepe pulls foul over the third base line making the count 1 and 1. Ted, tell us what this bulletin is about."

"Let's see, Bob. Apparently undersea volcanic activity has triggered a huge landslide and a mountainous chunk of one of the Canary Islands has broken off and fallen into the ocean."

"Where exactly are the Canary Islands, Ted?"

"They're off of Spain at the other end of the Atlantic, four or five thousand miles away or so."

"At least it's not in our neck of the woods and likely to disrupt play."

"There's a little more here, Bob. The bulletin goes on to warn-"

"Hang on there, Ted, Pepe Montero just got some good wood on a Bosley fastball and smacked it cleanly into left field for a standup single. The Orioles are on their feet in the dugout - it's the first solid hit off Bosley today - and they're hoping to get something going here in the bottom of the fourth as Dale Miller, the O's third baseman, steps to the plate. Miller watches a fast ball miss high and outside. What was that you were going to tell us, Ted?"

"Yes, the bulletin. Scientists are warning that due to the enormous size of the landmass that fell into the sea only minutes ago they expect it to cause a tsunami and-"

"Montero's off on the pitch trying to steal second base! Woodall throws a strike to second but it's too late. Pepe picked the right pitch to go on and got a great jump on that Bosley change up. Woodall's throw was perfect but not in time to catch the speedy Montero. Miller steps out of the box and looks at third base coach Walt Wetzel to see if there's a play on. So back to the Canary Islands, Ted."

"Right. Apparently there's a high probability of a tsunami being generated by this massive landslide. Ships in the Atlantic are being cautioned to keep an eye out and the Air Force is sending out observer planes and there will be further bulletins."

"All right, thanks. Ted. Miller takes a ball, and he's sitting pretty at 2 and 0, a definite fastball count. Bosley can't let it get to 3 and 0 with a man on second and no one out so he's going to have to put it over the plate and Miller's settling in and looking for something to hit."

"Well, Bob, yet another bulletin has come in and this one's a bit more detailed. It seems there is definitely a tsunami of major proportions in the Atlantic headed west. Unfortunately, the tsunami alert system that has been set up in the Pacific doesn't have a counterpart in the Atlantic so it'll take a bit longer to gather all the information but it's being tracked and currently estimated to be traveling at nearly five hundred miles per hour."

"Five hundred miles per hour? Whoa. And I thought Bosley's ninety-eight mile per hour fastball was something to see. Here's the windup, the pitch... and Miller hits it hard and deep. It reaches the centerfield wall on the fly and Montero's rounding third and digging for home. He'll make it easily. The throw goes into second and Miller slides headfirst under the tag and is safe with a double and the O's pull ahead and it's 2-1 Orioles. Bosley looks a little rattled and pitching coach Will Carson's going out to talk to his pitcher and calm him down so we'll have a minute to hear more about this tsunami of Ted's."

"According to the experts, Bob, a tsunami caused by a large chunk of land falling into the ocean is somewhat different than the more common type caused by an earthquake in the ocean floor. This kind tends to produce a larger wave that can be seen out in the ocean, and in fact spotter planes are on it and following it and estimates put this humongous swell at four hundred to five hundred feet high."

"Five hundred feet? Now that's a monster. I remember when Mickey Mantle was here in the 60s and hit one over the roof that was estimated to be over five hundred feet and possibly as far as five hundred fifty feet, which would be even higher than your tsunami, Ted. Boy, that Mantle could blast 'em. Well, Carson's headed back to the Yankee dugout and O's shortstop Jason Spire steps in to see if he can bring Miller home from second."

"Here's another bulletin, Bob. We're being told this gigantic tsunami is headed for the East Coast of the US and at this point it appears likely it will strike somewhere between Virginia and Boston."

"Whoa, Ted, that's a little too close for comfort. Do they say when it might hit?"

"No, but we can guestimate. Let's say it's four thousand miles away and if it's traveling at five hundred miles per hour that would be about eight hours till landfall, but don't quote me on that."

"That's a little bit of good news. We'll definitely have time to finish this game and still have a few hours for a quick getaway. Bosley throws his fastball and Spire swings through it for a strike. Bosley checks the runner at second, pauses, and throws a slider but Spire was looking for it all the way and pushes a lazy grounder toward first. It's slow enough to enable Miller to make it to third standing up and Spire's out at first but he gets high fives from his teammates for a successful sacrifice moving Miller to third base with only one out."

"Bob, another update has came in. The tsunami now looks like it's headed our way and will make landfall between Virginia and New Jersey, which puts us right near the center of the bull's eye."

"As soon as we finish the bottom of the fourth inning the game will be official and in the books, so if it gets called early it'll still count as a win for the Orioles. I don't imagine there's ever been a game called on account of a tsunami before."

"I would think not. Our statistician Jerry Phelps has been checking, though. Of course back in the days before night lighting all games were day games and sometimes would have to be called due to darkness. And Jerry informs me there have been a few games called due to mosquitoes or other swarming insects."

"No kidding? I didn't know that."

"Yes, that's happened twice. The bugs were so thick it was hard to see through them and they were getting in the player's eyes and made it impossible to play ball."

"But a tsunami has got to be a first."

"Undoubtedly. Hang on there, Bob, yet another update, though they're being called emergency alerts now. Scientists have calculated that Baltimore and the Washington D.C. area will be ground zero for the tsunami so we are definitely sitting in the crosshairs of this puppy."

"Wouldn't you know it, Ted, and I just finished paying off my house. I wonder if flood insurance covers tsunamis. I'll have to check the fine print and talk with my agent. OK, Bobby Green, the rookie sensation this year, takes a hack at a big Bosley curve ball and pops it up in fair territory. Woodall comes racing out from behind the plate and signals for it and now it's two out with a man on third. Bosley seems settled down and if can get a third out here he'll have minimized the damage and held the Orioles to one run."

"Speaking of damage, Bob, it's being estimated that a wave of this size, if it holds its present speed and course, could surge as far as one hundred miles inland or even farther, demolishing everything in its path."

"I wonder what the O's would do if Oriole's Park gets knocked out by the tsunami? They could always use their spring training facilities in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as a short term solution, though they'd definitely have to add thousands of more seats to accommodate the fans."

"I've been told the Oriole's private jet is being prepped so if there's a call for an evacuation they'll be ready to fly out of harm's way."

"Well Ted, let's hope they can make some room for us onboard, huh?"

"You bet, Bob. I'm sure it's going to be one heck of a traffic jam out there. Hang on a second, Kevin Doolittle, our PA announcer, is about to make a public announcement to the crowd here in the stadium. Let's listen in."

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I please have your attention. This is an official announcement from the United States government. A tsunami of massive proportions in the Eastern Atlantic is heading for the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area. The President has declared a federal emergency and the Capitol is being evacuated. All persons within the target zone are advised to leave the area at once and to take as much food and water with them as possible. The tsunami is expected to reach the East Coast in eight and a half to nine hours. Thank you."

"Ted, would you look at that. This is truly heartwarming. They've just been told about an impending disaster of biblical proportions and not one single Oriole's fan has budged or made a move for the exits. My word, how extraordinary."

"Yes, Bob, it shows you what these O's fans are made of. Tsunami or no tsunami, they're here for their team. No fair weather fans are these."

"You got it right, Ted. You won't find more loyal fans anywhere. All right. Reese Harper steps into the box to try and pick up Miller on third base and give the O's another run here in the bottom of the fourth. He swings at Bosley's first pitch and hits one high and deep. This one could go all the way. Yankee left fielder Lou Maroni is running back to the wall at full speed... he leaps... and... he catches it over the fence! What a sensational grab by Maroni. He took a homerun away from Harper and robbed the O's of two more runs. A heartbreaker for the Orioles but you've got to tip your cap to Maroni, who's getting high fives and low fives from his teammates for one of the outstanding catches this season."

"Yes, Bob, that was unquestionably highlight material. We've finished four so we're officially in the books. There's a meeting going on at home plate. The umpires have come in and along with the managers of both teams are undoubtedly trying to decide whether to call the game or try to finish it before the tsunami comes ashore and wreaks havoc. The Yanks, being behind by a run, would like to play it out, while naturally the O's wouldn't mind if the game got called as that would put a W in their column. While they're in discussion, let me read you the latest bulletin. It says the President and Vice President have left the Capitol and preparations are underway to handle the flood of evacuees expected to be heading inland or down the coast. Gas stations have waiting lines and supermarkets shelves are being emptied as people stock up on everything from water to canned goods. And this latest alert just in-"

"Excuse me, Ted, but the meeting at home plate has broken up and we're anxiously awaiting the decision. The umps are going back into the field and home plate umpire Roger Knockley is raising his right arm."

"Play ball!"

"That's right, you heard it. Knockley called out play ball! A tremendous cheer from the crowd welcomes the news that the game will go on. I tell you, Ted, the dedication and devotion these players and fans have for this great game of ours brings a lump to the throat. Frankly, I've never seen anything like this."

"I'm with you on that, Bob. Anybody who tries to run down the American people or their spirit, resolve, and determination in the face of adversity should be here today to witness this for themselves. And look out in the bleachers. Some fans have somehow put together a banner. Can we get the home plate camera to focus on it and bring it up on the monitor? Can you read it, Bob?"

"Sure can. It says: F the tsunami, go O's, God bless America!"

"And now the whole stadium's getting to see the banner on the giant monitor screen over the scoreboard and the crowd is cheering, applauding, stamping their feet, and whistling their approval."

"I tell you, Ted, the folks here are exemplifying the kind of fortitude, guts and moral fiber that have made our country what it is today. We're proud of this ball club and we're proud of these fans. You gotta love "em, don't you, Ted?"

"Exactly my sentiments, Bob. This will be a moment to remember."

"Amidst the ovation, the Orioles take the field as Yankee second baseman Daryl Forsythe approaches the batter's box. Let's see if the O's can hang on to their lead and get another W in the books before the ocean swallows us up."

"You bet, Bob. Let's play ball."

Authors Bio:
Leni Matlin was born in NYC and attended Brooklyn College before moving to California in his twenties. For the better part of his adult life, he has worked as a musician (keyboards / vocals) and played in more bands then he can remember, while living and working in New York, the Bay area, LA, Key West, Costa Rica, Palau (Micronesia), a Caribbean cruise ship, and elsewhere.

His travels have also taken him to Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam, and India where he lived for 10 years.

Writing has now become Leni's creative focus and his works include novels, screenplays, and varied genres of short fiction. His interests range from political, social, and psychological themes to the metaphysical, spiritual and visionary. He regularly employs humor and satire to explore issues and events both contemporary and historical.

His eBooks are available at most eBook retailers including

Amazon Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/author/lenimatlin.com

and Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/leni+matlin

A free song and video montage of the Occupy Movement is available at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pelhdn8f7qk&feature=relmfu

and a CD of original music is at
http://www.lenimatlin.bandcamp.com