Heat

Mr. Minaya explains to Michael that “this is basically just sour grapes from Westchester South” (87) and that he shouldn’t worry about the conflict. Still, he admits that several of the league’s coaches signed the letter of concern, knowing that “their chances” to go to the World Series “improve tremendously is [Michael’s] not pitching against them” (87).

Mr. Minaya tells Michael that his father will “have to get help from somebody back in Cuba” (88), but that such help shouldn’t be too hard to get. Mr. Gibbs is “not even worried about it” (88), as he has more to worry about in his work at the Administration for Children’s Services.

Carlos and Michael talk through the problem, Carlos reminding Michael that earlier in the year, “when [Michael’s father] realized he didn’t have the birth certificate, he went and got some kind of paper” (89) from Michael’s principal. Neither boy has a solution to the birth certificate problem.

To calm down, after Carlos leaves for work, Michael gets out his pitchback net and goes to pitch on the mound that Mr. Ruiz, his superintendent, built for him. The mound is “his sanctuary” (90). He warms up, gradually feeling “the heat” (90) in his arm, and starts to throw harder and harder.