Jada Meets the Team

“What is she going to do? Wave her Pom Poms to get a hit. This is an absolute disgrace to the sport of baseball and Colorado Rockies should be ashamed of themselves!”

Jada switched off the radio as she sat in her car. Sports talk radio was not the best choice for the drive over to the team’s facility. “I’m going to silence them. I’m going to make it to the MLB. I’m going to succeed.”

Jada had been on an absolute tear in AA. She hit for a high average and drew walks instead of strikeouts. She even had hit 4 home runs which elated her and was all the more proof she belonged here. Of course, everyone said it was a fluke and that AAA would chew her up and spit her right back down to AA. This was not going to happen.

Jada had worked tirelessly on her conditioning. Her athletic toned body on full display as she flashed her glove patrolling 2nd Base. She prided herself on her defensive prowess and ability to commit very few errors. Her arm wasn’t the strongest but it didn’t need to be. Her accuracy was always on point. The only thing she knew deep down she had to work on was her mental health. The countless online trolls and sports talk hosts that bashed her had taken a toll on her. She had support but it seemed like she fighting a losing battle. For every good tweet or positive news article there seemed to be five bad ones. It was exhausting.

Her mind was loud. Too loud. She hadn’t even realized she had pulled into the facility until the security guard knocked his knuckles against her window. Jada snapped out of it. She had to. She couldn’t show any signs of weakness.

“You must be that lovely young lady we’ve all heard so much about. Jenna right?” The security guard said with a smile. Jada couldn’t tell if he was in on the joke or made a simple mistake.

“Jada.” She said correcting him with a slight disapproving face.

“Oh my bad, Jada Jameson. It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful young lady. I recognize you from ESPN. You’re all they talk about anymore.” He said making Jada want to end this conversation as quickly as possible.

“Thank you. Do you need me to check in?” She said trying to keep the conversation moving.

“No Ma’am. We were expecting you and we got all your paperwork from your AA team. You’re good to pull forward!” The security guard said with enthusiasm.

“Okay, thank you.” Jada said as she quickly rolled up her window. Before it closed she heard the security guard call out.

“It’s my pleasure, Jenna Jameson!”

He was in on the joke. A jeer she had heard her whole collegiate career and well on into her professional career. Her parents did not realize they had named their daughter with a similar sound to the famous porn star. Of course it was too late and even a name change wouldn’t stop the jeers from being shouted. Jada worked her ass off to be here and she was compared to a porn star. Life is not fair.

After pulling into a parking spot, Jada exited her car and popped the trunk. She gathered her gear and walked towards her new home. A few side stops and she was directed to the team’s locker room. Jada walked inside. The familiar sight of grown men in various states of dress and joking around filled room. However the moment they saw her you could hear a pin drop.

“Hey guys. Don’t get all quiet on my account. Just point me to my locker.” Jada said attempting to fill the silence. Jada wished sometimes she wasn’t so good looking. What a vain thought but it seriously was such a road block in her way. Instead of team building with her teammates and becoming friends they all wanted one on one shower time with her on her knees.

Finally someone stepped forward. “I’ll show you to your locker. Skipper has you set up in your own space so you can change and then join us out here.” Jada watched as he beckoned her to follow. He seemed familiar but she couldn’t quite place him. She walked beside the tall well built teammate as he led her to a small room with a locker and a bench.

“All yours. My name is Jax by the way and welcome to the Clydesdales.” He said extending his muscled arm to shake her hand. That’s where she recognized him from. She hadn’t been keeping up with the organization. Jax Rooker was a Big Leaguer. He was an All Star. What was he doing in AAA?

“Oh… um thank you so much, Jax.” Jada said as she shook his hand. Jada’s hand seemed to disappear completely in his as his presence alone had caught her off guard.

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, Jax... I’m actually having a moment right now... I had your jersey in high school. I know it’s embarrassing but like your a huge reason I decided to play professionally.” She said just trying to let out some of the tension and hopefully break the ice with her new All Star teammate.

Jax laughed as he still held on to her hand. They both realized this as they let each other go and attempted to regain composure. “Thank you. That means a lot. Honestly I got into the sport hoping to inspire young kids to play… just didn’t realize it was going to be girls as well.”

Jada smiled. “Well this ‘girl’ is happy to be here and help out however you guys need me. Hopefully you will see me as a teammate and not some publicity stunt.”

Jax took a minute before responding. Almost choosing his next words carefully. “Skipper wants to introduce you to the team. Get dressed because BP starts here soon. Hopefully you’re ready for your first game. This is where players thrive or die. There is no room for failure here. Everyone of us wants to be in the Majors and will stop at nothing to be there. No amount of ‘publicity stunts’ are going to get in our way.” Without waiting for a reply, Jax turned and walked away.