America: 50☆Stars (Vol. 2)

Episode 9: Baby Shark Wins Baseball

A/N: This episode contains a lot of baseball references I'm unable to explain in the endnotes (at least not without making it lengthy). I understand many people aren't interested in baseball. But hopefully, the character interactions make the episode entertaining nevertheless. Anyway, continue reading as usual.

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Today is Thanksgiving...in Canada. That may sound strange to many Americans, but that's Canada, eh.

After a scrumptious feast, Saskatchewan plops down on a couch to relax and watch TV. "Ottawa. Do you know what time football comes on?"

The Canadian capital enters the room with Alberta. "Sorry, Saskatchewan. There's no football today."

"Eh? Are you sure?" She quickly flips through various channels.

"I think there's an American football game playing right now."

She moans, "It's not the same as Canadian football."

Alberta plops down in the seat beside her. "I can't believe it. Football is a Thanksgiving tradition. The CFL (Canadian Football League) dropped the ball not showing any games today," he grumbles.

"Is there any hockey on? I think the Senators are still playing," Ottawa suggests.

Saskatchewan turns the channel to the hockey game. Everyone in the living room watches the Ottawa Senators get shut out by the Minnesota Wild in the third period with the final score of 2–0.

"That's depressing, eh."

Ottawa chuckles sadly, "I'm going to get myself another slice of pumpkin pie. Anyone want another slice?"

They politely decline her offer. She leaves them alone, heading to the kitchen to sulk over another losing hockey season. She walks past Quebec who gives her a curious glance.

"Why does Ottawa look like she's going to eat her sadness away?" Quebec turns to Alberta and Saskatchewan for answers. She sees the score on TV and nods her head, quick to understand what happened. "Oh. That makes sense. Even I would cry seeing a horrible Canadian team lose to a horrible American team."

Saskatchewan sighs, "Why are there no good sports games on TV?"

"What aboot baseball?"

"What aboot it? The Toronto Blue Jays aren't playing in the postseason. Also, why do you care? I thought you gave up on baseball after the Expos left Montreal to become the Nationals of Washington D.C."

She crosses her arms over her chest, feigning indifference. "Well, I've heard some things aboot the Nats doing well so far. I figure I see them fail as usual." Memories of the Expos' failures have made her spiteful toward the Nationals. She usually gets a laugh out of the Nats' failures to succeed past the divisional series, however, there's gossip this year may be different. She hopes it isn't so.

Saskatchewan switches to the channel showcasing the National League Championship Series. "Oh! Well, you look at that. They're aboot to win the series."

Quebec's eyes grow wide at the score. "They're not going to blow it away?!"

They watch the top of the ninth inning pan out. With a potential final score of 7–4, the Washington Nationals are one out away from sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals to win their first league championship. The pitcher on the mound throws the baseball. The opposing batter swings and hits the ball into the air. The ball goes far but not far enough. The outfielder catches the easy flyout, getting the final out of the inning. Nats fans at Nationals Park go wild as the Nationals claim victory with a dominating performance. Finally, the Nationals have become champions of the National League!