The Hitting Zone

Spring break wasn't anything special as we fell into a routine of working out together in the mornings, eating a lunch by Grampa, and going to practice. Afterwards, we would either go to the cages as Kyle fought to spend time with Marie. He would have to compromise and meet up with Marie at the cages, who brought Kaylee too. With Kaylee going, it made sense to invite Alisha, basically taking her with us after practice. Dave hobbled for the next few days, not looking any better by the time Thursday's game rolled around.

He was banned from the bullpen and stuck in the dugout with us. Despite us beating Redwood twice last year, Coach didn't mess around and bench any starters. In fact, Bryce was still in the lineup with his hot bat.

1 SS Noah Atkins

2 RF Bryce Finn

3 2B Jake Atkins

4 CF Garret Knudsen

5 3B Jason Morris

6 LF Jesse Shipman

7 1B Sean Isner

8 C Mitchell Torres

9 P Kyle Atkins

Garret was back behind for the first time in over two weeks, since the Golden West game. Sean didn't do well behind me and I don't know if there was any particular reason or if he was just unlucky. He could also be in a slump and maybe that's what Coach wants to find out today.

As the home for the first time in forever, and for the first time this season against a league opponent, our stands didn't look half bad despite it being spring break. Of course, that was thanks to the girls softball team. Marie's boyfriend was on the mound so it wasn't too surprising that almost their whole team showed out to support.

"They better show up for me on Saturday." Garret squinted. "I can't lose out in popularity as the ace."

Noah patted his shoulder. "At least you shouldn't lose out on pitching."

Garret glared at him. "You don't think the stands will be filled when I pitch?"

Noah shrugged. "The advantages of having a girlfriend I guess. Plus, who wants to come to school on a Saturday as spring break ends? No one."

Their discussion had to end there as it was time to jog out to our positions. Kyle stood tall on the mound, throwing his practice pitches to Mitchell. He looked confident and relaxed at the same time. He's really been maturing from last year. Last year, the second time we played Redwood at their stadium, Kyle had to be removed from the game because he lost his cool after giving up two home runs.

The first time we played Redwood, they scored quite a bit off of Garret too, so I was expecting some action early in the lineup. Instead, Kyle shut down the first batter with his speed, getting him to strikeout. The second batter hit a routine fly to Bryce in right field. Then Kyle struck out the third batter to end their half of the inning. He pointed at the stands before coming into the dugout.

"Might as well blow her a kiss." Noah snickered.

Kyle reached for him but Noah dodged, rushing to his bag to change his gear.

"Don't mess around, Kyle." Coach commanded.

"The vice-captain clearly started it." Kyle accused.

"Don't give him the opportunity to give you a hard time." Coach simply told him. Then he looked at Noah. "You better do your job out there."

"Yes, sir!" Noah left the dugout in a hurry.

Bryce followed out soon after.

I was also ready to go, standing in the hole, messing with my gloves.

Coach got closer to me and lowered his voice. "You won't have to be so on guard with a potential hit by pitch." I looked up at him. "I spoke with the league and they sent out a memo that any obvious targeting against the best players will be punished. Not that I think Redwood would do anything like that. I just wanted to bring it to the league's attention. The only downside is being unable to tell what's intentional and what's not."

I asked what I really cared about. "Do you think Redwood will let me hit?"

"Youll find out soon enough." He gave me a pat on top of my helmet and went to Alisha.

Noah didn't waste any time after being called into the batter's box. He hit a single into short right field, kicking off our offense. He gave our dugout a provocative look, kind of showing off.

"That brat." I heard Coach mumble under his breath. Coach gave out a sign to Mr. Miller and he repeated it for Noah and Bryce.

I went to the on deck circle, feeling nervous for Noah. He had to steal while Bryce took a pitch. Noah didn't even look the slightest bit nervous. He took his lead off the bag like normal. When the pitcher looked over his shoulder, Noah even inched back to the base. It was just a ploy. As soon as the pitcher started his motion, Noah was taking off. The pitch was in the zone for a called strike; the catcher hurried his throw to the shortstop covering second base. Noah slid into the bag and the tag came down after. Safe.

"Bet you can't do it again!" Someone yelled among the cheers. I had a faint guess that it might have been Kaylee in the stands.

Mr. Miller didn't give him the sign to steal again, but to run on contact. Noah had to be ready to retreat if it was a fly ball instead though. Bryce swung and missed the second pitch. 0-2. He was a little cornered now. The pitcher threw an inside pitch next, forcing Bryce to swing and defend the plate. He got jammed, hitting a grounder back the way it came. Noah took off to third. The shortstop could only field it to first for the first out. Bryce came back.

"Way to advance the runner!"

"Not bad!"

"You made contact."

"Let's go Jake!"

"Bring him home!"

I kept my head down as I walked to the batter's box. I glanced at the pitcher and saw him staying in a squat. My heart started to pound a little faster as I got set in the righty's box. I looked at the pitcher. But he was looking at Noah. He did a check throw to third.

Mr. Miller gave me the green light to bring Noah home. I didn't want to scare the guy and blast the first pitch out for a home run. I had to think of my future at bats. So I chose to go with poking the ball through the gap on the left side for an RBI single. Noah went back to a happy dugout and I stood at first, satisfied with my choice. 1-0.

With only one out and Garret behind me, we were in a good spot. He had the longest at bat so far, getting to a 3-1 count before hitting a single of his own, pushing me to second. Jason came up next. Mr. Miller signed for us to be careful of the double play so be ready to run on contact.

On a 1-1 count, Jason made solid contact, hitting a hard line drive down the line. The first baseman snatched the ball and tagged first base before Garret's dive back. A double play. An extremely fast and rare double play.

"Unlucky!"

"Don't mind!"

"Next time!"

"Keep making contact, boys." Coach told everyone as we switched gear in the dugout. "Putting the ball in play will allow for more opportunities." He looked at Jason. "It was well hit. You can't help that it went to the first baseman so brush it off."

Jason nodded.

Top of the second. The cleanup hitter got on base by hitting a single to center. Kyle didn't show that he was too upset about it, but I could tell by the back-to-back check throws. His constant check throws kept the runner closer to first though which helped when the fifth batter hit a grounder my way. I threw to Noah. Noah stepped on second and threw to Sean at first, completing the double play. Kyle finished them off by striking the sixth batter out. He didn't point at the stands this time around, but still looked in a specific spot.

"You're such a sap." Noah laughed, bypassing him to our bags.

"You're just jealous." Kyle headed to his own bag.

"No. You're just trying to overcompensate after pissing her off when you said you would sign with Vanderbilt." Noah laughed.

Kyle chucked a bag of sunflower seeds at him.

"Thanks." Noah caught it, opened it up and helped himself. Then he passed me the bag.

Noah's comments didn't escape the rest of the team. Garret especially. He went over to the quiet Dave to ask about it. I'm sure Dave explained the meeting with the advisor, prompting even more questions from Garret. He was another player aiming to go pro after high school after all.