#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 – 58 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 – 29 stories
Stories
“Fair Game ” by Cindy Strube
Submitted to Contest #136
“Hit a home run, boy!” by Liv Nemethi
Submitted to Contest #136
“Just One of the Boys” by Marty B
Submitted to Contest #136
“Desires Beyond reason” by Marion Crackower
Submitted to Contest #136
“O2” by Rachel Connor
Submitted to Contest #136
“Destination Vega Grandis” by Sasan Sedighi
Submitted to Contest #136
“Fact or Fiction?” by Rachel Ward
Submitted to Contest #136
“Schrodinger's Treasure Box” by Colin Strivelli
Submitted to Contest #136
“Melted Mind” by Sylvie Smith
Submitted to Contest #136
“When Doves Try ” by Marcia H.
Submitted to Contest #136
“ You’ll never know unless you try.” by Jesper Jee
Submitted to Contest #136
“My Aim” by Parshalla Wood
Submitted to Contest #136
“The Tale of Cincinnatus” by L.M. Lydon
Submitted to Contest #136
“You'll Never Know Unless You try” by Barbara Burgess
Submitted to Contest #136
“You'll Never Know, Unless You Try” by Carolyn Carter
Submitted to Contest #136
$250
Prize money
209
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.
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