Jon began to feel dizzy and realized that he was running, but something felt off. He looked down and he was wearing only his underwear, a pair of white compression shorts, and a pair of cleats with red socks pulled up over his lower legs. He also noticed that his body was in much better shape and he seemed higher off the ground. He was definitely taller, probably over six feet.
Jon looked to his right and there were four other guys jogging along side him, all dressed the same as he was. "Keep it up, rookies," Jon heard a voice yell from behind him.
When they got to a fence in front of them, they all turned around and began to jog back. At the other end of the field, was a dozen or so guys in red baseball jerseys and gray pants. It was the Boston Red Sox and Jon realized that he was in Florida for spring training! Jon knew it was a long shot, but he was trying to make the roster out of spring training or at least get noticed enough to get called up later in the season.
Jon and the others got back to end of the field. "Nice work, rookies," one of the older guys said. It was one of the rookie hazing rites that were pretty common around spring training.
Jon began to put his pants and jersey back on and looking down at the "Red Sox" across his chest, he got excited. He was actually a professional baseball player! On his favorite team, no less.
Jon looked around. It was clear there was no game today, but there were players scattered all over baseball diamonds all around him. Jon followed the other guys over to a batting cage and couldn't wait to hop in. He grabbed a bat and eagerly bounded up towards the cage, when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Wait your turn, rookie," the voice said. Turning around, Jon couldn't believe that the Red Sox' star catcher was standing right in front of him. "You're Jason Varitek!" Jon said. "Yeah," he replied. "And you're not. Take a seat."
Jon was awestruck as he walked by, but then sighed as he sat down and watched hitter after hitter take their turns in the cage. Sitting on the bench, Jon looked over his body. He pulled up his sleeve and flexed his biceps, impressed at their size and strength.
"This is awesome," Jon said.
"What, waiting to hit after 25 other guys?" asked the guy sitting next to him.
"Oh no," Jon stammered. "I just meant that I...uh, never mind."
"Whatever," the other player said.
