The Hitting Zone

Chapter 190 Game Two: Durham Preparatory 3

The dugout was oddly silent as I put on my helmet and grabbed my bat. Noah was already way ahead of me, moving with purpose. Him and Julian were out taking practice swings, waiting for the umpire to signal that we could start our offense.

I moved close to them, just inside the dugout though. I gripped my wood bat, excited for another chance to hit the ball. I already decided I would do better in this game compared to this morning.

"You look excited." A comment from behind caught me by surprise, making me jump. I peeked back to see Zeke with his helmet on and a bat in his hands. "I won't hold you back, but I want you to put your focus on getting on base."

I tilted my head. "I'll get on base if I get a hit?"

Zeke didn't change expressions, but I could hear the frown in his voice as he chided me. "A lot could happen when you put the ball in play. I know you have confidence in your hitting and that's great, but you have to think about the other team as well. They have a highly rated defense. They could easily make a great play to get you out. Or if Julian or Noah got on base, they might even turn a double play. Don't underestimate them. And don't overestimate yourself."

I sighed. Zeke was right. I should consider the circumstances.

Zeke patted the top of my helmet and leaned down to whisper. "Get on base and I'll send us around the bases to at least tie up the game. For Kyle. And for the team."

My first thought went back to the 'don't overestimate yourself' comment that he just said to me. But looking up at him, I had no words to argue with. Zeke was the best player I knew and if he said he could do it, then I would believe. I nodded and then heard the umpire call for Julian to step in the box. I turned my back to Zeke and paid attention to the game.

Zeke's words were a clear and forthright declaration. If I got on base, he would tie up the game. So hopefully Julian and Noah would get on, so we could take the lead instead.

Julian was able to connect with a pitch, but was unable to safely reach first. He grounded out to the second baseman, who threw to first before Julian could get there. Noah moved to the batter's box and I moved out to the on deck circle.

Noah had better luck: on a slightly high pitch in the strike zone, he swung with his high grip on the bat, sending a line drive between left and center field. With a drop of his bat, he was off. Noah immediately sprinted to first and didn't hesitate to round the bag and head straight to second. He completed an unnecessary slide into second before the ball even got to the cutoff man, but the crowd loved it. Noah jumped up and dusted himself off.

I shook my head at his antics. I was almost completely positive that Noah will hear Zeke say something about the useless slide and will be tacking on more laps. At this rate, we'll be spending all of Monday's practice running.

I got into the lefty's box, ready to go. With Noah on second, I didn't have to worry about a double play so I had options. I decided to swing at anything close on the off chance that I could send Noah home. Sad to say, I didn't even get a chance. The first pitch went high and wide, making the catcher jump out of his crouch position. The next two went in the dirt. And the fourth went wide, past the catcher. Noah took off and sprinted to third and safely reached due to the wild pitch.

I lightly put my bat down and jogged to first. Zeke was up so I didn't bother leading off the base like I should have. Zeke said he would bring us home, and I believe him. But his first pitch held a surprise that I did expect. This pitcher still had bad control and threw another wild pitch. Normally it would have been outside for a lefty like me, however Zeke was a righty so that was an inside pitch. Really inside. He barely turned away in time and took the pitch to his lower back.

"Oooh." The crowd exclaimed in sympathy.

"Take your base!" The umpire declared, pointing for Zeke to go to first.

Zeke dropped his bat and shot a glare at the pitcher. The catcher was quick to put himself between the pitcher and Zeke and ensured that Zeke didn't make a run at his teammate. I moved to second and continuously checked to make sure Zeke was okay. Zeke was typical Zeke, just standing on the bag ready to play some baseball.

Garret stepped into the lefty's box, with one out and the bases loaded. Mr. Miller signaled for him to hit anything that came close and for us runners to be ready to go. I took a page out of Noah's book, and stepped off the bag as much as the fielder was away. It was daring for me, but I thought it would be okay even if they attempted to throw me out, Noah would have a chance to score from third with his crazy speed.

Unexpectedly, the pitcher found his rhythm against Garret as his pitches started to land within the strike zone. It didn't faze Garret though, he found one that he liked and blasted it to the outfield. I resisted the urge to look where it would go and kept my eyes on Mr. Miller. He yelled, "Go!" And sent Noah home so I figured I should make a run for third. Mr. Miller waved me on and did a windmill like motion to signal to keep running. I rounded third and sprinted on home.

Noah was in my line of vision and yelled for me to not slide. I stepped on home plate and turned to watch how this play would end. Zeke was blazing down third baseline, showing a speed faster than Noah. He easily touched home as the ball was thrown back into the infield. Garret stood on second, showing pride in his bases-clearing, standup double. We took the lead 3-2.