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Set your story in the stands at a major sporting event.

Posted in Fiction on Jun 21, 2024

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✍️ 39 stories

Always Next Season

Submitted to Contest #256

The first televised FA Cup Final occurred in 1938 and it was a lacklustre affair. After 29 minutes of extra-time with no goals, BBC commentator Thomas Woodrooffe said, “if there’s a goal now, I’ll eat my hat.” Thousands were already on their way towards the exits, when Preston’s inside-right was brought down and the referee pointed towards the penalty spot. Wembley stadium was silent when George Mutch set the ball in place with aplomb and retreated a few steps. He raised his head, picked his mark and darting forward, hoofed the ball, which t...

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Underneath Fernando

Shortlisted for Contest #256 ⭐️

Ricardo followed Jorge reluctantly up the stairs to their section of the stands. Jorge turned to Ricardo, saw the expression on his face and rolled his eyes. “Why did you say yes to this if that’s how you’re going to look?” Jorge asked. “For the free booze and hot dogs,” Ricardo responded dryly. Jorge shook his head but said nothing. They got to their seats and Ricardo looked out at the field. Night games were admittedly somewhat magical. He didn’t know why, but it felt otherworldly. Like the teams and the crowd were momentarily thrust into ...

24 likes 18 comments 18
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The Human Race

Submitted to Contest #256

 Running water and clanking of plates cut through the morning tension. “Finish your oatmeal Martim. All of it!” Martim's mother, Camilla, said from the kitchen. She walked to the calendar on the fridge and circled the 15th, trailed by red X's. The clacking of dress shoes shuffling down the steps made Martim look up from his bowl. “Kate is almost ready, what’s with the sad face Camila?” His father, Antonio, said. “This is a cakewalk for him, you know this. Stop worrying, Martim getting last place is impossible.” “Any paren...

22 likes 8 comments 8
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Visitor's Game

Submitted to Contest #256

Splash! Splash! Splash! I jumped in place at the sudden noise. I turned and looked across the parking lot and saw a group of teenagers huddled together, jumping in unison in a puddle from the rain earlier today as they chanted a fight song for their team. I didn’t realize I was staring at them until one of them saw me, broke from their circle raised their arms in challenge, and shouted, “What?” across the lot, his friends laughing and smirking at me. I blinked at them, realized how tense I had become, and turned away – I could hear them laug...

20 likes 10 comments 10
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Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Submitted to Contest #256

Sometimes when curled up with a box of Crackerjacks in front of the TV watching my Mets, memories come flooding back.I'll never forget my excitement as my father and I got off the train at a stop that was unfamiliar to me. Then a sign—Ebbets Field.Dad’s happy voice saying, “We’re almost there Brenda. Your first ballgame. And what a special night.”I knew it was special because Mom had been upset for some reason, trying to get Dad to leave me home, but he’d refused, saying, “Ida, we’ll be fine.”“Why don’t you want me to go, Mommy? You know I l...

19 likes 19 comments 19
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An Affair of Olympic Proportions

Submitted to Contest #256

An Affair of Olympic Proportions In the summer of 2012, Britain buzzed with Olympic fever. Tourists thronged the streets, eager to witness the world's top athletes. Even Nicky, usually indifferent to sports, felt a thrill as she navigated the crowded pavements. All of the UK had outdone itself; even the sun had decided to shine and cast a golden hue over much of the country. Nicky, an attractive 30-year-old woman, squeezed through the large crowds, soaking in the excitement of London, her home City, hosting such a huge event.   Nic...

15 likes 7 comments 7
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A NIGHT AT WEMBLEY

Submitted to Contest #256

The crowd's roar at Wembley Stadium was deafening, a sea of colors waving flags from every corner of the globe. The camera zoomed in on Chip Silver, microphone in hand, emblazoned with the network’s logo. “The atmosphere here is electric!” Chip exclaimed. “Fans from around have gathered to witness history tonight. We’ve got a lineup that will keep you on the edge of your seats.” As the camera panned across the field, players warmed up, coaches strategized, and officials prepared for kickoff. Replays of spectacular goals and crucial saves fro...

15 likes 8 comments 8
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The Cyclist

Submitted to Contest #256

If there was one thing which irked Karen more than crowds, it was sporting crowds. The scarf-waving, yell-in-your-ear sort you got at football, or the let’s-all-get-dressed-up-in-our-finery- and-hypnotize-ourselves-ticking-the-seconds-and-minutes-and-hours-away-by-twisting-our necks-back-and-forth-in-synch kind you found watching tennis were, as far as she was concerned, as bad as one another. And as for this debacle, this squash-behind-the barriers, cordoning-off-of-the-streets annual farce, give her the red-light-Saturday traffic-tailback-...

13 likes 10 comments 10
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A Siren's Song

Submitted to Contest #256

The carriage rocks left and right as it passes over the cobblestone streets of the capital. My hands try to find something to keep me steady, but the soft pillows and cushions are all that I have to hold.  I look across from me at Cyrus. He is sitting carelessly, one leg over the other, his hands clasped, his gaze lost in his own reverie. Then, he turns his head and smiles at me. “You’re sweating.” It’s the first words he’s uttered to me in weeks. “It is very hot in this carriage.” I reply. He glares at me, and I swallow a stone. The...

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Summer Special Olympics 1990

Submitted to Contest #256

We got on the bus at our Yuba City headquarters in July 1990. As assistant coach of the volleyball team, I would ride down to the University of California of Los Angeles with the twenty participants on the “C” team on a bus with comfortable seating and air conditioning. For many of the athletes, this would be their first trip to Los Angeles.  The C-team was made up of special athletes who were considered “low functioning” since some of them were unable to speak and could only make sounds that served as verbal communication.   ...

9 likes 5 comments 5
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The Invisible Fan

Submitted to Contest #256

As Gerard climbed the steps of the buzzing stands, making his way to his usual spot at the 5th row from the top, he kept looking at the score board. How on earth did he manage to miss an entire half? Never before had he misjudged the starting time of his daughter's soccer games. And now today, of all days, it had happened. He couldn’t quite put his finger on why it happened, but that didn't matter now. He was here. He quickly slipped into his seat at the 5th row. The parents around him didn’t glance his way, nor did they acknowledge his hurr...

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Familiar Hands

Submitted to Contest #256

He went down to one knee and held on tight to himself to keep from slipping away. There was no noise from the crowd, only his own breathing and the high ringing in his ears. The darkness crept in at the edges of his vision. After two deep breaths he stood up, and in doing so he tasted the metal in his mouth and he knew his nose was broken. The air wasn’t getting through so he blew it out all at once to clear the blockage. It was a sharp pain and the blood spattered onto his chest and shorts, but it did not help his breathing.Judging him stea...

9 likes 3 comments 3
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Umpire's call -" Kalyug"

Submitted to Contest #256

“Everyone I knew was glued to the TV, or their phonesThey had been waiting for this day for over three months. I was going to be on TV during on one of the most awaited events of the year. For more than 3 hours, I would be seen with some of the biggest sports stars in the world. But nobody would be watching me. They may see me but I would be swiftly ignored like I never existed. I was used to that for a while now.After all, nobody pays attention to the Umpires (referees are called “Umpires” in cricket) during a cricket match. Everyone blames...

9 likes 6 comments 6
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Seven Writers.

Submitted to Contest #256

Neroli's pained expression was evident as she asked, "Why can't you go to the Football with me tonight?" I felt a wave of discomfort, like I was drained of energy, as it surged to switch on my electrical fence. Growing up, I had overly permeable boundaries, so the thought of another pained barrage of begging triggered the beginnings of a headache. Instinctively, I contracted my body, much like a day flower without sunlight or a butterfly diving back into its used chrysalis. I couldn't bear to meet her gaze, knowing how intense she could...

8 likes 5 comments 5
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On Thin Ice

M B

Submitted to Contest #256

The roar of the crowd filled the arena as the teams took to the ice. Amber adjusted her press badge and settled into her seat high up in the stands. The meerkat wasn't there to enjoy the game: Amber had never been one for sports, especially hockey. No, she had a job to do. The tip had come in anonymously: a cryptic message hinting at a major scandal that was set to unfold during the championship match. Amber scanned the crowd, her keen eyes taking in every detail, looking for anything out of the ordinary. "Keep your eyes open, Amber," she mu...

8 likes 2 comments 2
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