The Hitting Zone

"What's going on?" He immediately asked.

"Well, we're interviewing some of the baseball players to get their responses on their Coach and their situation within the team and program." Principal Bowden explained.

I made a face of disgust.

"Sounds serious." Dr. Moore stood up. "How about I talk to Jake for a minute to make sure we're on the same page and then we'll join you in your office?"

"Okay, that's fine." Principal Bowden nodded. "We're actually going to be in the conference room though so just bring him in when you're ready." He looked at me. "Don't be nervous, Jake. You're not in any trouble." He reiterated again before leaving.

Dr. Moore came around his desk and closed his office door. "What do you think is going on, Jake?"

I glanced at the door, nervous. I lowered my voice and quickly gave a recap of everything that has happened this last week. The tension and fight of the JV team. How Coach got mad and benched them, asking some of us to cover for the missing team. How we won. And then that weird guy that tried talking to me yesterday, sounding upset that I was sent down to JV for a game. To how Mr. Miller said there would be a meeting about Coach this morning.

It took longer than a minute, but Dr. Moore didn't rush me. He gave encouraging nods and asked a few follow-up questions. "Alright. I get the gist of it."

I looked him in the eye. "I don't want Coach to be in trouble."

Dr. Moore reached out and patted my shoulder. "I understand. Don't worry, I'll be in your corner. You need any help answering the questions and I'll jump right in." He opened the door and led the way to the conference room. He opened the door and greeted the five men in the room, shaking everybody's hand.

I knew two of the five. Principal Bowden and AD Barber. The other three were in suits and looked a little more serious. I kept the table between us, not intiating any contact.

"Jake, take a seat and relax." Dr. Moore steered me towards the middle seat, facing the five other adults. I sat down and Dr. Moore sat on my right, comforting me a little. "So from what I gather, we're here today because you all want to ask Jake some questions about his baseball coach?"

"Yes." Principal Bowden took over. "Let me introduce everyone. Jake, you might recognize the athletic director." I nodded. "These three other gentlemen are from the school board. Mr. Osborne, Mr. Willis, and Mr. Figueroa."

My lips thinned and I tried not to frown.

"Gentlemen, this is Jake Atkins, formerly Jake Hollander." Principal Bowden introduced. "He's a sophomore on the baseball team and has been on it since he came here last year. He's currently the best player in the league."

"The county." AD Barber corrected. "He's the best in the county. Top five in the state, and climbing. No doubt, the best batter we have and we will ever see come through here." He looked at me with a softer expression. "Jake, do you like Coach Wilcox?"

I immediately nodded.

AD Barber looked down at the man at other end, Mr. Willis. "The best player on the team is happy with the coach is that enough for you?"

"Is he really?" Mr. Willis was skeptical. He looked directly at me. "You were sent down by Coach Wilcox for a JV game. What are your thoughts on this?"

I blinked. Thoughts? I had none. I glanced at Dr. Moore for help.

Dr. Moore read me perfectly and spoke up. "Can you be more specific Mr. Willis? Thoughts is a very broad term and can represent anything and aren't even perfectly controlled."

"Okay, I'll be more direct." He said. "Were you mad at your coach for sending you down?"

I shook my head.

"Why not? Don't you like playing on varsity?" He continued.

I shrugged. "I don't really care either way."

"You don't care?" His voice went an octave higher.

I looked to Dr. Moore. Was I supposed to repeat myself or was this rhetorical?

"Jake's interest in baseball is limited." Dr. Moore explained. "He actually didn't start playing on any teams until coming here. He strictly learned how to hit in batting cages and that's his preferred activity."

"So he doesn't even really know how a team is supposed to function." Mr. Figueroa spoke up.

"You can't say that. He was on a championship team last year. Freshmen of the year." AD Barber shot back. I was starting to see that he was on Coach's side. Which was good. I'm glad someone had his back.

"I understand you like the guy, Barb, but that doesn't mean he's a good coach." Mr. Willis took over again. "Who benches the whole JV roster on gameday and then uses the starting members of the varsity squad? It doesn't make sense."

"He already explained the circumstances around that." AD Barber leaned forward on the table. "The team was out of control. As soon as he found out, he took over. That's what he's supposed to do."

"And I'm saying he went about it the wrong way."

"How was it wrong? All three levels won. No harm was done."

"Except for the fact that we're getting calls about the benching of our starters. For no real reason."

I looked to Dr. Moore on my right, unsure of what to say or do. I didn't mind not being the center of attention, but I didn't like the awkward bystander feeling either.

Dr. Moore cleared his throat to draw attention to himself. "Excuse me. If you guys don't mind, Jake is missing valuable class time for this so I would like to turn it back to him."

"Yes, of course." The principal nodded. He asked me. "Jake, let's keep it simple; why do you like Coach Wilcox?"

I relaxed a little, not upset with this kind of question. "He's nice." That's the most important to me. "He also has taught me a lot about baseball. Like how to play and stuff. I-" I scratched the back of my neck, embarrassed. "I didn't play on the field before. But he was still patient and a good teacher." I thought back to how skittish I was in the beginning. "If he was a bad coach...I wouldn't have played."

The room was quiet for a beat.

Mr. Osborne, the third man who hadn't spoken up yet, finally did so. "Would you continue to play if Coach Wilcox was no longer your head coach?"

I was taken aback. Would I? Maybe? I mean...Noah and the twins would still be there. But would they play without Coach? Maybe if Miller or Luis took over? I thought about the question for awhile and none of them disturbed me by talking.

I frowned. "I don't know...it depends on a lot of things." I took a deep breath. "But, I trust Coach Wilcox. He's never put me in a bad spot. He didn't do anything wrong. He's just trying to fix the JV situation before it gets worse. I'll go wherever he needs me."

"If the best player we have isn't upset, then I just don't know what we're doing here." AD Barber sighed. "I say we let things play out. The boys are winning. Do you really want to risk their perfect performance?"

"Wilcox risked it first." Mr. Willis pointed out. "Yesterday when he benched almost half his starters by sending them down for a meaningless game."

"He didn't risk it." I hurried to say. "Garret pitched. He's the best."

Eyes shifted around as everyone looked at one another.

Principal Bowden stood up. "Alright. We thank you for your time, Jake. We're going to talk some more, but you can get back to class. Make sure to get a hall pass from the front office." He looked at Dr. Moore. "Dr. Moore, do you mind pitching in for a little bit?"

"Sure thing." Dr. Moore fixed his glasses. He gave me a small pat on the shoulder. "Good job on getting your opinions across, Jake. I'm happy for you."

I let out a small smile and half of my body relaxed. I got up and started to head for the door. Then I thought of something...the man from yesterday. I turned around. "Umm."

"What's up, Jake?" Dr. Moore noticed my hesitation first.

"Um, yesterday. There was this guy that approached me and Noah." I twisted my lips. "I don't think he's allowed to do that without my parents or coaches."

"Yes. That's a very good point." Dr. Moore agreed immediately. He looked to the five men across the table. "I think it would be wise to look into this. Our students, especially on campus, should be safe from badgering adults who should know better."

The principal nodded. "Most certainly."