Knuckleballer: Art

I created this image to go with my story “Knuckleballer.” If this goes through to publication, I’ll do a better-quality version.

Riley Miller: Fictional Major League Baseball Knuckleballer

Links to the story:

Knuckleballer, Part 1
Knuckleballer, Part 2
Knuckleballer, Part 3
Knuckleballer, Part 4
Knuckleballer, Part 5 (end)

*Do not copy this without the permission of MJ Twain.*

Knuckleballer, Part 5: Conclusion

The first inning didn’t go well.
Riley walked the first better, gave up a base hit, and allowed a steal. The crowd that had gone wild in welcoming her back grew restless. Knights fans were both the best and worst in all of baseball. They could idolize you one day and demonize you the next. Riley [...]

Knuckleballer, Part 4

Riley’s first game back with the Knights was the third Sunday that August. The Knights were chasing Denver for the Wild Card slot. If they were very lucky, they had a chance to capture the division lead.
She had a case of the nerves like she hadn’t felt in years. Her change up, slider, and fastball [...]

Knuckleballer, Part 3

“Look, we haven’t even reached the All-Star Break. Take your time. I don’t want you back until you’re healthy,” Ben Kemp, the Knights manager, told her.
Riley wanted to punch something. Her wrist felt fine. She was lucky she got hurt early in the season, and she was well aware of it. Getting back in the [...]

Knuckleballer, Part 2

“It’s broken.”
Doctor Gould cringed as he delivered the news, although Riley wasn’t surprised.
“How long will it take to heal?” she asked.
Gould looked to Sam and the Knights’ general manager, John Hicks. The GM had taken a lot of risks during his tenure, but none more so than backing Riley’s ascent to the Big Show. He [...]

Knuckleballer, Part 1

You don’t catch a knuckleball, you defend against it.
Dodgers manager and former catcher Joe Torre
☼
The biggest fight in Major League history was over a girl.
Riley Miller’s fastball and wicked slider earned her teammates’ respect and her rivals’ disgust. Her knuckleball secured her place in baseball history, silencing critics who didn’t want to see women play [...]