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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#136: The Old College Try

Though its origins are debated, it looks likely that the phrase “the old college try” was first used in baseball. According to Babe Ruth, to “give something the old college try” is to keep going, even when the odds are stacked against you — like chasing a flyball out into foul territory, just in case you somehow make the impossible catch.

There’s a lot to be said for those who keep trying despite knowing that their chances are slim. This week’s prompts take a closer look at those determined (or perhaps foolhardy) folk among us. After all, as the saying goes, God loves a trier.

This week's prompts

Start or end your story with someone saying “You’ll never know unless you try.”

Dialogue – 57 stories

Write about somebody who knows they’re probably going to fail at something, but does it anyway.

Narrative – 32 stories

Write about a character giving something one last shot.

Narrative – 51 stories

Set your story on a baseball field.

Middle School – 39 stories

Write a story where hard work doesn’t pay off.

Angst – 28 stories

Stories

“The Tale of Cincinnatus” by L.M. Lydon

Submitted to Contest #136

“The Tale of Cincinnatus” “You will never know until you try…” The words echoed once more through the desolate corridors of my mind. I wished that I had punched my noble lord father in the face the moment he uttered them. Alternately, out of respect for his many winters and gray hairs, I could have simply turned my back and walked away in silence. Or perhaps I could have embarked on a different quest of my own choosing in a less painful but still futile effort to earn his respect. Anything but what I actually did: allow him to bludgeon me...

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“Nothing stops him from trying. Not even death. ” by Cassandra Chi

Submitted to Contest #136

A large blue butterfly lands on my ankle out of nowhere. Scared the shit out of me. I have an uncontrolled fear of insects of any kind, no matter how cute they might be. Comes from childhood. Early years were an eternal night terror. Often woke up screaming “there is a giant bug behind the door”. It was always same kind of bug, like a cockroach, black, six legs and 2 antennas, big eyes staring at me. Standing behind the door. For me it was all real. As real as the real bugs that occasionally crawl on me causing a hysterical crisis. Even the ...

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“I matched with Mr. Donkey” by Liv Valen

Submitted to Contest #136

***Warning - profanity***I must say it's not bad for a Thursday morning so far. As every other day I'm over my morning coffee with one of my colleague-friends and now we go together for a personal meeting to conduct a job interview for one of our open positions. It's 10.28 a.m. and we're sitting down with Nicole in the room chit-chatting in a good mood, waiting for the candidate to arrive. I'm checking us in the meeting room on its board when I hear steps and I turn with a big smile to greet the candidate - only to realize it's that bizarre ...

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“Chasing The Wind” by Michelle B.

Submitted to Contest #136

Her tutor stood in front of her, garbed in a colorful flowing robe. He’d set up a table between them and spread out a variety of items on it. A wilting plant, a rock, and a flickering candle. “Come on, Raye. This should be simple for you. Concentrate. Expand your mind to the rock, and lift it.” Raye took a deep breathe and closed her eyes. She collected her mental energy and imagined the rock that laid in front of her lifting, flying, darting around the room like a sparrow! She pushed outwards with her mind and heard a rattle. Her brow f...

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“One Last Gift” by Cora Irelan

Submitted to Contest #136

It had been several hours, and the room was beginning to look a little like a landfill. Lucille pulled another dress from the back of her closet. She examined the garment closely, not even recognizing it, until the memory suddenly came back to her. It had been five years ago; she’d found the thing on sale at J.C. Penny’s and convinced herself that she would wear it to an interview or a funeral. She’d never worn it. In fact--she reached in through the small neckline opening--yes, the tag was still on it. She tossed it onto the top of the ever...

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“Light Entities ” by Tom Falconer

Submitted to Contest #136

It had been six months since Light Entities had been released. For six months—gamers tried to beat the game. For six months—gamers had failed. Gamers weren't hunting for a faster speed-run or a 100% completion achievement: they just wanted to beat the damn thing.The top of the Playstation 8 console lifted up and the upper half of John's body was exposed. "That wasn't so bad John, I've seen you do worse." Ryan said "I'm done Ryan, I'm done. I'm not playing this garbage anymore," John said while exiting the console."You can't quit!?!...

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“Red Dog” by Arnold Edwards

Submitted to Contest #136

RED DOG The weekday crowd was typically light compared to the weekends, but it seemed thinner since the game was being played in cavernous Forbes Field, where the Pirates called home. But it was vociferous enough to have the illusion of a packed house. Today, their beloved Homestead Grays were in front of the Baltimore Elites by a score of 4-3. Top of the ninth, the Elites were threatening; runners at the corners, both speed merchants with one out; Jerod Cromartie on first, Timmy Gregson on third. The unfiltered sun beat...

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“Fair Game ” by Cindy Strube

Submitted to Contest #136

It’s hot. I’m out here at the edge of a sunbaked baseball diamond, letting my eyes go unfocused so I can distance myself from the game. Sweat is dripping into my eyes, and they’re stinging, so I can’t see anyway. I’m waaay outfield, as far away from the action as I can be. No one bothers me out here; they don’t actually want me to participate, and the feeling is mutual. I was, as always, the last one chosen for a team. I say “chosen” with big, fat air quotes. Really, I was the only one who didn’t get chosen. PE teachers are the wor...

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“King Kong and the Alabama Slammer” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #136

Dalton Davis, manager for the last-place Cleveland Guardians, nervously spits out a volley of sunflower seeds. Paunchy, greying, and perpetually concerned for his job, the sixty-year-old field general is considered a superb strategist who identifies with his players. Dalton checks his two baserunners. Flint Concannon fidgets at third base, while Chase D’Amico takes a conservative lead off second base, scanning the stands. Once an All-Star, injuries have eroded thirty-four-year-old Flint’s skills, but the sandy-haired, affable center field...

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“Superfan” by Brian D

Submitted to Contest #136

Larry never missed a game. He always made time for the home team - sitting on his lucky seat cushion, arms snuggling a large bag of in-shell peanuts. His gray hair, normally unkempt in appearance, was respectably combed back for today’s event. He adjusted the team jersey he was wearing to straighten out the printed number of Marty Reach, the star player of the home team. Although Larry’s bones had become weak, and his eyesight was slowly failing him, he still had impeccable hearing. The sounds of the cheering of the crowd...

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“Just One of the Boys” by Marty B

Submitted to Contest #136

It is a slow walk up to the batter's box, the last out of the little league game, unless Shane can make something happen. Waiting for the umpire to sweep the plate clean, he sees his teammates packing up, they don’t expect much. Shane longs to prove them wrong, to show that he deserves to be part of the team. He takes two practice swings and then tries to find the balance in his batting stance, his weight back, his front leg cocked, ready to step into the swing. He feels his new cleats bite into the soft dirt and rocks a li...

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“I failed her” by MIKAYA LANG

Submitted to Contest #136

WARNING: There is slight violence, self-harm and mental heath issues. There is profanity as well. I released a deep breath and stared at the ground beneath me. The sun beamed on us brutally. I covered my eyes with my hands, but that didn't seem to help. I could feel the beads of sweat roll down my face. My armpits were wet and sticky. The sweat that ran down my body soaked my feet. I wiped the sweat from my forehead. My sister sat there on the steps in front of our house and wiped the sweat from her forehead as well. "This town is getti...

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“O2” by Rachel Connor

Submitted to Contest #136

CHOOSING DAY, Thursday 1,876th I stared up at the shining golden pedestal with longing in my eyes. Markie stood proudly on top of it, their eyes shining brightly. A smile on their face as they stared out into the crowd, laughing as everyone cheered for them. Their pink hair catching the sun, making it seem like the angels were taking Markie away to be one of their own. Now that Markie had been chosen they would be taken to the chapel and be officially crowned. Unfortunately no one from these Outercities ever got to watch the crowning. Hailey...

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“Schrodinger's Treasure Box” by Colin Strivelli

Submitted to Contest #136

“You’ll never know unless you try,” a voice called out, breaking the silence of this long-forgotten treasure room.With a gasp, Sam dropped the box, letting it fall back to its hidden alcove. Only time knows how long the rusty old chest had sat there, and what was once elegant metal etchings adorning it, now show the tell-tale signs of a tarnished battle lost long ago. Sam knew a place like this would carry a curse, or perhaps at the very least, a memory, feelings so powerful and potent, unable to truly be forgotten. That’s how it always goes...

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“Melted Mind” by Sylvie Smith

Submitted to Contest #136

“Ahhhhhh, again already?!”, I moan as I wake with another crushingly oppressive headache. I have been sporadically tortured by this ailment for as long as I can remember but the last few months, it has been intolerable. First, I’m hit with a piercing hot icepick to my right temple, then the pressure behind my eye builds until I feel like it’s going to erupt and ooze out of the socket. Then there’s the sound. The high-pitched whirring that courses through my brain. Growing louder and louder until the torment consumes all of my senses. All I c...

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$250

Prize money

207

Contest entries

100

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 11, 2022 EST

Won by Howard Halsall 🏆

Title: Cigarettes: A Romance

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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