The Hitting Zone

"Can't believe they did you dirty like that." Noah told me, referring to my walk after getting down on strikes. "That's messed up. It would roast any and all of our pitchers who dared to do that. There's no defense against walks."

I smiled. "Yea, but it felt good seeing you score off Garret's hit."

"Of course." He stated proudly. "When I'm on second, I can make it home on any hit to the outfield." He pointed at Garret, who was on second now. "It's all about the lead. Look how far off he is. He knows it too. Pitchers don't like doing pickoff attempts to second. A lot can go wrong. It's better to focus your attention on the batter."

That didn't help this pitcher any. Sean hit a single to the right corner and Garret was on his way home, making the score 3-1. We all got up and cheered for our third straight RBI single.

Just as Garret got back after scoring, the opposing coach left his dugout and headed for the mound. The whole infield joined him. The coach took the ball from his pitcher, slapped him on the back, and sent him back to the dugout.

"Wow. They didn't waste any time." Garret took his helmet off.

"I think they did waste time." Noah refuted. He pointed at the incoming pitcher. "This is the guy from last time. They should have started with him. Why play games and start that previous guy? Do they like playing from behind?"

Garret frowned. "Who knows." He put his gear away and went to stand by Coach.

"Did you already talk to them about potential sign stealing?" Noah asked as we sat back down.

"Told them. Coach said to let Garret and Mitchell handle it." I said, still not confident in what they'll do.

"They'll probably have Mitchell stop setting up inside and outside. Maybe even try to trick them if someone gets on second." Noah speculated.

"Oh, I guess that makes sense."

Noah grinned. "Yea sign stealing isn't very elaborate. They're just figuring out which side the ball will land. Now-" He paused to stress. "If they start stealing all signs, we might be in trouble. Garret has an advantage of having three pitch types: fastball, cutter, and slider. If they can easily distinguish the type, then they aren't just sign stealing. They've done real intensive research. That stuff doesn't happen in the high school level. Technically shouldn't happen anywhere."

"Would you do it?" I asked him.

Noah twisted his lips. "I don't think it's worth it. If I have to cheat to get ahead, I wouldn't feel that good about it." He laughed. "And I actually might feel worse if I can't even win when cheating."

The new pitcher finished his practice pitches and the game resumed with Jason at the plate. The pitcher made short work of him, getting him to go down swinging. Mitchell went down in the same way, chasing a ball in the dirt when at a 1-2 count. The inning was over, but the damage was done, we were up 3-1.

"Dang. Was he this good back in December?" Noah muttered a curse.

"The only ones to get a hit off him were you and Garret." Jason said. He glanced at me. "You got on."

I rolled my eyes. "I know. The walks." Didn't want a repeat of that again, but nothing I could do. I looked at Noah. "If you get on, stay at first and let me see if they let me hit."

"Sure!" Noah said as we started to head out. "I think I can make it home from first if you can get a hit to a gap or corner. If not, I'll at least be on third."

Top of the second. Garret warmed up with Korrey as Mitchell needed extra time to get his gear on. It always made me nervous if he wasn't there for practice pitches, but it was fruitless. Garret and Mitchell worked well together, getting the first guy to strike out, swinging. The next guy was a lefty and pulled a grounder my way. I got my glove down and fielded the ball just fine to Sean for the second out. The following batter was Garret's third swinging strikeout of the game and we went back to the dugout in high spirits.

Noah grinned as we jogged back in. "Don't have to worry about sign stealing if there's no runner at second to look at Mitchell."

I nodded, really relieved to see Garret keep them pinned down. I got ready along with Noah and we both stood in the hole as Logan and Bryce headed out.

Logan came up empty-handed, chasing all three fastballs and not even tipping one. He came back with a scowl.

"You've got the right amount of eagerness, but you still have to show some patience at the plate." Coach advised as Logan put his gear away. "Anything close, it's right to swing. But that second pitch was nearly at eye level. Be more aware."

Logan nodded.

Bryce seemed to have done what Coach wanted, showing patience at the plate. He stretched out his at bat with foul balls and letting pitches outside the zone pass. On a full count, he fouled another pitch backwards. It soared high into the air. The catcher ripped off his mask and threw it to the side. He chased the foul ball back near the netting and made the catch for the second out.

I cringed. Then tried to keep a neutral expression as Bryce came back and I went out. We bumped fists as I told him, "Good battle."

"He's got speed and movement." Bryce told me before going into the dugout.

I stood in the on deck circle and watched as Noah struggled against this guy too. He fouled off less pitches than Bryce and ended up going down swinging. That pitcher now had more strikeouts than Garret in less time. Even though Branham was losing, the crowd cheered and clapped for the pitcher's performance.

"I'd like to see them be excited when he walks you." Noah complained as we went to switch out our gear. "Our side better boo twice as hard."

I grinned. "I hope so too."

Noah looked at me, surprised.

I shrugged. "I want to boo the pitcher too when I get walked. It's not fun. I rather hit fly outs and groundouts. I think I have to start sucking next year so I get more quality at bats."

Noah burst out laughing. "Gosh, Jake. I know we joke about that, but don't dumb it down for these jerks. Or the guys in our league. Beat them down and accept the walks with pride. You'll face better players this summer. And who knows, next summer they might all be on your level."

"Yea.." I nodded. In just a couple weeks we would participate in round two for the regional team tryouts. The players would only be my age, but the skill level would be high as we narrowed down the guys for the final roster.

Noah and I took the field together and parted ways at second base. Garret started the third inning with the batter in the nine spot. It was just the opposing pitcher. He struck out looking at all three pitches. Back at the top of the lineup, the leadoff who had previously struck out, smacked a grounder up the middle. I didn't have a play at it with my backhand, but Noah did. He raced over, caught the ball, got it out of his glove and threw to Sean for the second out of the inning.

"Nice play." I told him as he walked back to his position.

Noah grinned and held up two fingers in the air. "Two outs. One to go!"

"Two outs!" Sean and Jason echoed.

The second batter in the lineup had the first groundout to Noah and ended up hitting another one his way. This time a slow roller. Noah raced to it, barehanded the ball, and threw it right to Sean's glove with pinpoint accuracy.

Garret had already been walking to the dugout, having complete faith in Noah's fielding.

I did too. I jogged to Noah and we bumped our gloves together. "Good work."

"If only they would all come my way." Noah grinned. He took off his glove as we walked into the dugout and rubbed his hands together almost like he was praying.

"I hope so too." I honestly told him. I stopped at the cubby and switched my gear out. I would be first up to start the bottom of the third.

"Keep a clear head out there." Coach told me as I strapped my batting gloves on. "No matter what, I think you'll be on first. Riley told me that the guy is a chatterbox. Don't get distracted and get picked off."

I cringed with embarrassment. It wouldn't have been the first time that has happened to me.

"But also don't stay so close to the bag that you're easy pickings for a double play." Coach said. "Last time you did a good job with the first baseman having to be off the bag too, but this time you'll be the only one on so he'll be right there with you."

I nodded. "I've got it, Coach."

"I believe in ya, kid." He slapped my back and sent me out of the dugout.