The Hitting Zone
chapter-1103

We were slow to pack up and clean up.

Coach used that opportunity to close things out. "We still practice tomorrow. Same time, same place. Don't be late for any reason. The first playoff game is in three days. We can't slack off in the slightest." He looked around, pausing at Garret and Dave. "Once we know our opponent, I'll announce an official starter."

"Shouldn't it just be Dave and let Garret get the harder stuff?" Kyle shrugged. "We have the number one seed so we should get someone fairly bad."

"No one will be 'bad'." Coach corrected. "These opponents are all league winners. If a certain team looks worse against lefties, I want Garret to take the lead. Nevertheless, both will be available to go on Thursday. The semifinals will be Monday if we move on, that gives everyone enough rest days no matter the pitch count."

"When we move on." Kyle corrected.

"Garret gets to play no matter what so I think I should get the start." Dave said.

"Bro, you can't punish me for being an all-rounder." Garret rolled his eyes. He looked at Coach. "We'll do what you want, Coach." Just as Coach started to nod in approval, Garret continued. "I don't care if I start or not, but I know I'll finish it either way. A complete game for me or clean up after Dave messes up."

Dave threw his glove at him. "You're a terrible captain."

As the three of them got into it, Coach rubbed the temples of his head, giving it a small shake. "I will not miss this next year."

I kind of would. I started to feel sad at the thought.

We finished cleaning the dugout, grabbed our bags, and started to go our own ways. Off with friends or family. Noah and I walked in front of the twins, leaving through a side gate closest to where we saw our family.

Mom and Grampa stood there, waiting for us.

"Mom! Did you see my last catch?!" Noah asked excitedly.

Mom reached out and pulled him into a side hug. "Sure did! You have the best reflexes out there." She pulled me in next really quickly. "And you went 3-3 at the plate today." She moved on to Kyle. "And you did amazing on the mound, sweetie." She grinned at Dave. "And look at you, trying new things. I got plenty of pics on my phone."

"It sure was a surprise." Grampa said. "You two always compete against one another. I never expected you two to work together."

"That sounds like a backhanded compliment, Gramps." Dave laughed. He looked around. "Are the others busy?"

"Zeke went to talk to some of his friends." She looked to Kyle. "Your father went with Ryan to talk to a couple scouts." She looked to me next. "Jeremy and Rose should be in the parking lot. I think he was asked to sign some autographs and take some pictures. Especially from the visiting team's families."

I shrugged, used to it. "I'm not bothered by it. It's not like I'm the one who has to sign."

Noah laughed. "It won't be long!"

I made a face of disgust.

"Don't worry, Jake." Kyle told me. "I'll be signing autos before you. Just in a month or two."

Dave snorted. "Who wants some minor leaguer's autograph? Just look at us. We love baseball and we don't even collect autographs from the minors."

"We love the game in a different kind of way." Kyle argued. He looked at Mom. "Do you think I should go over to Dad and Ryan?"

Mom nodded immediately. "Yes, that's a good idea. But be on your absolute best behavior." She gave a warning look. "Try not to say anything you might regret."

"Mom, I'm not twelve." Kyle rolled his eyes. He then tossed his bag at his twin. "Hold that." Then he jogged off.

Dave held the bag out at Noah. "Here. Take this."

Noah shook his head. "No way. I'm not a sucker like you."

Dave turned to me. "Then this duty belongs to the youngest." He came towards me.

Instinctively, I accepted the bag.

Noah slapped me on the arm. "Are you for real right now?"

I gave a small shrug. "It's just until the car."

Noah rolled his eyes and took the bag from me. "Dude. You can't just let them bully you." He glanced at Mom.

She let out a small laugh. "Okay, okay, it's just a bag. I've seen the twins and Zeke help with bags all the time. You guys also parked in the closest spot."

"Mommmm." Noah complained. Yet...he carried Kyle's bag the whole way back to the family car. Dave unlocked the car and we loaded the trunk.

I spotted Jeremy waving to the visiting team's bus as he slowly walked away with Rose beside him. They joined us, congratulating us on the win.

Jeremy spoke directly to Dave first. "That was your first time behind the plate in a game setting?"

Dave grinned. "Yea. Not bad, right?"

Jeremy laughed. "I was worried at first, but Zeke assured me that Coach would replace you in a heartbeat if it looked bad." He got serious. "But what really shocked me was the signs. I know you gotta know the signs as the pitcher, but I guess I just didn't think you could give them out too."

Dave shook his head. "We just did a simplified version. The kind we use in the backyard. Noah knows it too."

Jeremy looked at me. "Looks like you're left out."

I smiled. "That's something I don't want to know. Catcher is probably the hardest position."

"It requires too much thinking." Noah said. "Thank god we'll have Mitch for another season. He's steady as a rock. Anyone that can put up with the twins and Garret has to have the patience of a saint."

"Noah." Mom said in a warning tone.

Noah shrugged. "Do you hear Dave denying it?"

All eyes shifted to Dave. He scratched his cheek. "Well...it wouldn't be good if we had someone super controlling." He made a face. "Like Jordan early last year. He only worked with Garret. No love lost here."

"Is he playing college ball?" Noah asked. Jordan never rejoined the team after Coach shuffled the roster last season after a big blowup.

"Yea, some school up in Oregon."

They talked a little bit about a few other former seniors until Zeke showed up.

"Surprised you could come down on a Monday." Dave said.

"Yea, don't you have classes and practice?" Noah added.

Zeke explained. "We got back from SoCal late last night so Coach called off practice, but I still did weights and cages in the morning. Skipping the occasional class isn't going to kill me."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Mom covered her ears.

"You already miss a lot of school during baseball season." I pointed out. Zeke's games sometimes require flights, plus they play multiple days in a row. He must be tired.

"Did you guys show up together?" Noah looked from Zeke to Jeremy to ask.

"Yea, I called Zeke once I figured out I could make today's game." Jeremy gave a tight smile. "I won't be able to make any of your playoff games this year."

"It's not a good look to be playing hooky." Noah joked.

"The off days just didn't line up right." Jeremy sighed. Then smiled and gave us two thumbs up. "But I know you guys will be repeat champions again. You're destined to have a perfect season."

Noah looked to Zeke. "Does your schedule have conflicts too?"

Zeke nodded, putting his hands in his pockets. "Thursday night we have to fly to Utah. Monday, I might be able to make it depending on the location. Finals, we have a home game against Gonzaga."

"Tough team." Dave whistled.

"If you can make it all the way down here today, then you can definitely make it to next Monday." Noah declared.

Zeke's lips slowly upturned. "Not if it's eastbound. Traffic would be too much to fight. Plus we have a game Tuesday so I have to get some rest."

"Rest when you're dead." Noah told him.

"Noah James!" Mom said sharply.

Zeke laughed though. "Ok. If I make it, I'm going to expect you guys to travel for my postseason games too."

"To Omaha!" Dave pumped his fists, excitedly naming the destination of the College World Series.

"Isn't that next month?" Jeremy asked, unsure. "Won't high school still be in session?"

"We should be hosting the Regionals." Zeke stated with confidence. "Those will be home games. Either at night or on the weekend."

"We'll be there, right Mom?" Noah asked.

Mom nodded. "Of course. We'll try to make every single game within reason." She glanced at Dave. "Omaha might be out of the question."

"Why?" Dave dropped his shoulders in depression.

"A lot is going on in June." Mom pursed her lips. "Kyle has his draft early on. After graduating, who knows where he'll go or what kind of help he'll need. The younger two have their round two tryouts for the regional team which we know will require an overnight stay."

Dave went over to Grampa and put his hand on his shoulder. "What do you say, old man? How do you feel about a trip to the Midwest?"

Grampa grinned. "If Zeke and his team can get there, I see no reason why we can't go to cheer them on."

"We definitely have to go too." Noah clenched his fists.