Spring Training in Tucson

 All-Star pitcher, ready on the mound, squints for catcher’s signal. He shakes off three fingers, then nods for one. A fastball. The Big Unit has earned fame for his killer pitches.

Left foot on rubber, #51 towers 6’10” above the mound.

Set position. Stretch. Right knee up. Release. WHOOSH!

Strike! But not a traditional in the zone call.

The ball collided with perfect precision into a mourning dove. 

An explosion of feathers floated in the air between Diamondback pitcher and catcher. Carcass falls.

The fans in Electric Park released a collective “huuuaaAHH!”

A historical pitch known as Fowl Ball.