The Hitting Zone
chapter-1167

"You nervous, Jake?" Coach Hastings asked as we walked down to the designated field together. "Or are you just the quiet type?"

"Both." I answered truthfully. I glanced up at him. "Not nervous about hitting, but about meeting new people."

He laughed. "Yea, I understand. A lot of people are like that. I used to be too. Especially back in middle and high school. But as you get older, you start to realize that a lot of people are awkward with first meetings. But as long as you have common ground, it's much easier."

When we reached the field, I saw that two other coaches had everyone paired up and throwing the ball across the outfield. Further than I could ever throw.

One of the men came over, shaking hands with Coach Hastings. "I've picked the first ten pairs to start warming up and sent the rest to some open space on the soccer field. I'll rotate the groups in and out, but let me know if you want to see anyone twice. The catchers will already be up multiple times because of the smaller selection."

"Sounds good. You've got the right idea." Coach Hastings told him. He glanced at me. "Change back into your cleats and start taking some practice swings. Don't forget to stretch. I don't want you pulling a muscle in this drill."

I nodded. I took my bag to the nearly empty third base dugout. I politely nodded at the three men of varying ages with clipboards. They didn't pay much attention to me, mostly talking among themselves about the pitchers, switching between using their real names or the numbers they were wearing.

I put my cleats on and my regular running shoes away. I grabbed my batting gloves and pulled them on too. Once upon a time, I didn't like wearing them, but now they fit so snug that it would feel weird without them. Habit can be a scary thing sometimes. I examined the three bats I brought with me and selected the one that looked the newest. I would be facing a lot of pitch types and speeds so I didn't want to have an accident.

I put on my helmet and went back outside the dugout, taking practice swings where the on deck circle would normally be.

Coach Hastings came back with one of the guys that he had just met. "Jake, this is Ryan. He's going to be our makeshift umpire for the afternoon."

Ryan nodded at me in greeting. "I've umpired before, but I've heard you know your strike zone pretty well."

I gave a small shrug and chose to explain. "If it's close, I try to foul it off." I liked to swing. Even if it wasn't going to be perfect.

"Sounds like I'll just be decoration in the background." Ryan laughed.

Coach Hastings reached out to pat me on the shoulder. "I've already told the upcoming pitchers to show all that they've got since they're going up against the best player in the state. Don't hold back either."

I hesitated. "So just hit the first pitch..? Will you guys be able to get any insights off that..?"

Coach Hastings laughed. "Don't worry, Jake. This isn't the only drill they'll be doing. In fact, it would help us move things along if you can keep it quick."

"Okay." I nodded.

Coach Hastings was in charge of calling out the numbers of the pitchers as they came up to the mound. The first ten went quickly as I connected on the first pitch from every pitcher.

The catcher stood up as a new set of ten came in. "Man, they weren't kidding when they said you were the best. Shoot. Do we even need a catcher back here?" He glanced back at Ryan.

Ryan shrugged. "How do you think I feel? Wearing all this nonsense and it's getting hot."

I bit the inside of my cheek, nervous. "Coach Hastings said it would help to move things along if I put the ball in play early. Do you guys want me to let some pass? Because I don't mind." It could be considered training too. Imaginary scenarios with a more fuller count.

Ryan laughed. "No, no. Stick to what you're doing. We're not really complaining. Besides, the faster you work, the faster we'll be through all these pitchers."

I nodded. That's what Coach Hastings said.

"Looks like my relief is coming with the next set." The catcher said, eyeing the next group of guys coming in. Maybe he already knew a catcher. Or…it was just obvious because of the gear they have to wear. The catcher reached out to shake my hand.

I hesitated for only a second before complying. I gave his hand a quick shake despite still wearing my batting gloves.

"I'll see you around." He told me before walking away towards Coach Hastings.

A new catcher came over and we soon started up again. I couldn't specifically say if a pitcher was good or not, but I knew most of them weren't as fast Garret or Kyle. Half didn't even measure up to Dave. But I guess it would be a bit too much to expect those within my age group to be good as players that are seniors.

I cruised through a couple more groups before getting to a familiar face. Not Danny who I just had lunch with, but Cody. Cody Peace. His appearance made me take a step back. He threw incredibly fast. This was a guy on Garret's level. I took a practice swing. Then another to make sure I could match his speed.

Cody has two pitch types. Fastball and curve. Both equally fast and accurate.

I readjusted my hands before getting back into the righty's box. Cody was set on the mound, waiting on me. Once I was settled, he started his full windup. The ball came fast after leaving his fingertips. I squinted and tried to adjust my swing. Cody didn't throw a fastball like most of these guys have been doing. It was the curve. My trajectory was off but I still fouled the ball down the first baseline, making Coach Hastings and a few pitchers flinch away.

Oops. I stepped out of the box and moved around the catcher and Ryan, getting in the lefty's box.

"Is that allowed?" The catcher asked Ryan.

"Sure is." Ryan assured him.

I got set, eyes on Cody. He got a new ball from someone on the side and was getting set as well. His shoulders settled and he started his windup again. He didn't nod at the catcher or anything, throwing me off. The ball left his fingers and I started my swing, trying to keep up with the speed. The ball dipped again, as did my bat. Foul down the third baseline. Tch.

I knocked my bat against my cleats, buying myself some time to think outside the box. Cody didn't talk to the catcher before taking the mound and I thought they were just using basic signs since they probably weren't familiar with one another. But that has to be ruled out with how quick he was with pitch two. He's just acting on his own. Throwing what he wanted. He didn't care about the catcher and whether he could even catch his breaking ball or not. It's a small advantage to him but I had a bigger one.

I just have to put the ball into play. It doesn't matter where it goes as long as it's fair. I calmed down and got back in the box. Cody was already set on the mound with a new baseball. He kicked up his leg as soon as I was fully in the box, confirming my guess that he was trying to use speed to overwhelm me. Rush me. It wasn't a bad idea.

Seeing his fingertips at an angle again, I knew it was another curve. I brought my wrists down more, trying to catch a dipping pitch. It didn't drop as much as the previous two, forcing me to pop it up with the top of my bat.

"I've got it!" Cody's yell startled me as I saw him coming off the mound, eyes up in the sky. He paused and caught the ball just a few feet away. He looked at me afterwards.

I rubbed the back of my neck. "You have good control of your curve." I cleared my throat, feeling awkward.

"Of course." He stated. "I've been working on it for over a month now." He tossed the ball to the catcher and walked away as a new pitcher was called to the mound.