After the huge success of the tickling booths that season, it was back to baseball business as usual for the Good Guys. First they had a winning road trip, then returned to Paradise for an 8 game homestand. The homestand would prove to be a major turning point, as the event that occurred during that homestand would set the tone for a long long time. It was what looked to be a routine Saturday night game against Pittsburgh. The Good Guys had a 7 to 4 lead in the 9th, and Gardner, as he always did, brought in Naomi Watts to close the game. With 35,000 screaming in the stands, Watts got the first out with ease. Then, on a pitch that produced a fly ball to her husband Mitch, she felt a strange feeling in her pitching arm. The next pitch would be the last that Watts would throw in a game for a year's time. Naomi fired the pitch, then crumpled to the ground writhing in pain. In a flash, Mitch came charging in from right field to attend to his fallen wife, as the team, trainer, and Gardner gathered around: "Nai, what the hell happened?" Mitch asked. "It's my arm, it's killing me" Naomi replied. With that , Naomi was escorted off the field, and Mandy Moore got the final out to save the game. Upon examination in the clubhouse, it was decided to take Naomi to the hospital. Once there, they did tests and an Xray on her elbow, which told the worst: "We think you tore the ligament in your elbow, you're probably going to need reconstructive surgery, Naomi,and be out for a long time" The doctor said. Tears rolled down Naomi's face: "No" "It's Tommy John surgery, you know the routine. You have it, sit out a year, do the rehab right, and you're good as new" The Doctor said. That night, when Naomi got home, she sat on the bed staring into space: "You have to have the operation, Nai, either that or your career is over" Mitch said, trying to be as gentle as possible. "What happens if I cant come back?" Naomi said. "You will, look at Smoltz, he was no more than a good starting pitcher, had the surgery, sat out, now hes throwing 5 miles per hour harder and is the best closer alive. Maybe they can put some more zip into that already fast elbow of yours" Mitch said. After a night of tossing and turning, and a second opinion in Miami that confirmed the diagnosis the next day, Naomi and Mitch flew to Altanta on an off day the following week so that the country's top rehab surgeon could do the surgery. The team was traveling that week, but it was agreed Mitch would take a couple of days to be with Naomi in the hospital , then they would both fly to join the team. Naomi had the surgery on a Monday, and woke up a few hours later in the recovery room with both elbows bandaged. Now the long rehab would begin. With all the clubhouse services available, Naomi could travel with the team, and still rehab her arm. After a while of being very down, her spirits seemed to lift once she got back with Mitch and the team on the road, although it was hard to watch everyone else play as she had to sit out. One night, in a hotel room in Atlanta, when Mitch and Naomi got into bed, Mitch tried to gently broach a subject: "Nai, I want to discuss something with you, but before you scream and yell at me, please hear me out" Naomi nodded. "Since you're out a year, with all the traveling this team does, and you having to be available to pitch every night, what would you think if we tried to have a child now, and made the most of the time you have to sit out?" He said. "I've thought about it since this happened, my fear is with us playing baseball, the kid becomes a road vagabond with us" She said. "I know, but when else can we do it, neither of us is ready to retire from baseball. I think we need to make the most of you having to sit out. Iam not pressuring you or saying you must, please just think about it" He said. "Okay, I will" The next morning, Naomi awoke with a kiss for Mitch: "I spent time tossing thinking about it last night, and you're right, when else can we do this, now is the time, especially with me out" With that, Naomi and Mitch commenced trying to have children. The season moved on to the All Star break, and beyond, and the team picked up free agent pitcher Rachel Leigh Cook to be the set up person for Mandy Moore,who was now of course the closer in Naomi's absence
A few weeks later, Naomi came home with news for Mitch. "Honey, I'm pregnant, it's due in March, so I'll miss about a month next year after the baby is born, and then can start pitching with the team" "You have made me the happiest man alive, I love you so much" Mitch said, passionately kissing Naomi.
Later that week, the team held a Naomi Watts appreciation night. 45,000 came out on a Saturday night to pay tribute to Naomi and support her in her rehab. There was a big roar as Naomi, dressed in street clothes, spoke to the crowd. "Thank you all very much for coming and supporting me. It is so uplifting to know I have so much support from the fans. Thanks to Jim, my teammates, friends, family, and my darling husband Mitch. Maybe it was meant for me to sit out for a while, because now I have time to do something that every woman and every couple want, and that is be a parent. I want to announce to everyone that Iam pregnant, and my baby will be due in early March, so I'll be back sometime in April next year." That drew a roar from the crowd. "In the meantime, Mandy, continue the great job you've done in my absence, and let's reclaim the championship for the fans this year" Naomi said to thunderous applause.
The Good Guys then went out and beat San Diego 5 to 2 that night, with Moore closing the game. Afterwards, at the usual Saturday night dinner at the Paradise hotel, the team knew it was time for the tickle initiation for the new pitcher Cook. After getting her inebriated, she was taken to a room on the second floor of the hotel, where she was put to bed in her bra and panties and tied down. At that point, the second baseman began the tickle on Rachel's neck as she began to writhe and giggle: Heheheheheheheehehehehehe! NO! Then, he moved down, tickling the attractive dark haired Cook on her underarms and sides as she thrashed some more and giggles filled the room: Hehehehehehehehehehehehee! NO! Then, moving down, the second baseman tickled her on her inner thighs,causing her to buck. After that, the infielder tickled Rachel on the soles of her pretty bare feet. This made Rachel beserk! She flexed, pointed, and wiggled her toes every which way as giggly laughter filled the room and she pleaded for mercy: Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! NO! NO! NO!
Then, came the instrument tickle, as the infielder used fingers, feathers, and the ever dreaded electric toothbrush on Rachel's bare soles and toes. Rachel went even more beserk, flexing,pointing and wiggling her pretty toes every which way as she begged for mercy: Hehehehehehehehehehehehe! NO! NO! I give up! NO! NO! PLEASE NO! NO! NO! Hehehehehehehehehehehehe. Finally, the team untied Rachel.
They continued their fine homestand, then went on the road as the season moved on. Naomi was rehabing, and the baby was growing in her belly. What would the late stages of the season and playoffs bring for the team this year? Stay tuned to the ever continuing tickle and baseball adventures of the Team from Paradise Island.
The End
A few weeks later, Naomi came home with news for Mitch. "Honey, I'm pregnant, it's due in March, so I'll miss about a month next year after the baby is born, and then can start pitching with the team" "You have made me the happiest man alive, I love you so much" Mitch said, passionately kissing Naomi.
Later that week, the team held a Naomi Watts appreciation night. 45,000 came out on a Saturday night to pay tribute to Naomi and support her in her rehab. There was a big roar as Naomi, dressed in street clothes, spoke to the crowd. "Thank you all very much for coming and supporting me. It is so uplifting to know I have so much support from the fans. Thanks to Jim, my teammates, friends, family, and my darling husband Mitch. Maybe it was meant for me to sit out for a while, because now I have time to do something that every woman and every couple want, and that is be a parent. I want to announce to everyone that Iam pregnant, and my baby will be due in early March, so I'll be back sometime in April next year." That drew a roar from the crowd. "In the meantime, Mandy, continue the great job you've done in my absence, and let's reclaim the championship for the fans this year" Naomi said to thunderous applause.
The Good Guys then went out and beat San Diego 5 to 2 that night, with Moore closing the game. Afterwards, at the usual Saturday night dinner at the Paradise hotel, the team knew it was time for the tickle initiation for the new pitcher Cook. After getting her inebriated, she was taken to a room on the second floor of the hotel, where she was put to bed in her bra and panties and tied down. At that point, the second baseman began the tickle on Rachel's neck as she began to writhe and giggle: Heheheheheheheehehehehehe! NO! Then, he moved down, tickling the attractive dark haired Cook on her underarms and sides as she thrashed some more and giggles filled the room: Hehehehehehehehehehehehee! NO! Then, moving down, the second baseman tickled her on her inner thighs,causing her to buck. After that, the infielder tickled Rachel on the soles of her pretty bare feet. This made Rachel beserk! She flexed, pointed, and wiggled her toes every which way as giggly laughter filled the room and she pleaded for mercy: Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! NO! NO! NO!
Then, came the instrument tickle, as the infielder used fingers, feathers, and the ever dreaded electric toothbrush on Rachel's bare soles and toes. Rachel went even more beserk, flexing,pointing and wiggling her pretty toes every which way as she begged for mercy: Hehehehehehehehehehehehe! NO! NO! I give up! NO! NO! PLEASE NO! NO! NO! Hehehehehehehehehehehehe. Finally, the team untied Rachel.
They continued their fine homestand, then went on the road as the season moved on. Naomi was rehabing, and the baby was growing in her belly. What would the late stages of the season and playoffs bring for the team this year? Stay tuned to the ever continuing tickle and baseball adventures of the Team from Paradise Island.
The End
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