The Hitting Zone
chapter-1182

Lunch was fulfilling and everyone was talking about everything. School was over and the summer really had already started. Jeremy's team was in full swing, fighting to stay on top of his division. Dave and Noah were excited for Zeke, who could be headed to Omaha next week if he can win the series against Auburn. Kyle could be headed to his new team by then too. There were other big events like me playing for the regional team and Dave going off to college.

"Sounds like you guys will be busy." Rose commented with a smile.

"Just depends on how long Zeke's team can last." Noah said. "Otherwise we'll be just training here locally." He looked to Jeremy. "And maybe go to some A's game?"

"Whenever you guys can come, just let me know." Jeremy stated.

"You can always tell them no, Jeremy. Or they might take advantage of you this summer." Mom warned.

"The summer isn't as long as you think when you're a teenager." Jeremy said. "I really like treating you guys to games since it's something I really enjoyed when growing up. I'm happy that I can share that. Plus, it means I get to see you all more when I'm in season."

"We appreciate the thought, Jeremy." Dad told him. "Just assure me and Mary that you won't feel pressured into letting the boys go. We understand that you can be stressed during the season. If you're in a slump-"

"We appreciate the thought, Jeremy." Dad told him. "Just assure me and Mary that you won't feel pressured into letting the boys go. We understand that you can be stressed during the season. If you're in a slump-"

"I'll call you right away and snap you out of it." Noah interrupted Dad and finished his sentence. Mom gave him a look of warning, but he shrugged. "What? I've done it before."

"Yea, you're a real motivational speaker." Kyle rolled his eyes.

"Hey, you know you can count on me!" Noah grinned. "Don't worry, I won't forget about you. I'll track your small-time minor league team and make sure I text you before every start."

"I'll make sure to have my phone on silent." Kyle smirked. "Wouldn't want you to disgust me before I go out and kill it."

"I think a reality check will be coming to you soon." Noah shot back.

"I've shared a room with him for half a year now." Kyle said.

Eyes drifted to me.

I stopped slouching in my seat. "What?"

Dave shook his head and put his arm around my shoulders. "Don't worry about it, kiddo. We accept you the way you are. No matter how mean you are to those of us on the mound."

I shoved him off. "You guys would get mad if I went easy on either of you. It's annoying. You say one thing but mean the other."

Dave laugh. "We're just joking. We like to beat you when you're trying. It's an accomplishment." He looked over to Kyle. "I'll get more shots at him this summer while you're on your way."

"I'll get better while I'm away." Kyle shot back. "Christmas break, I'll get all my opportunities."

"I'm not shagging the balls for you guys." Noah cut in. "I just know that Jake will crush them all."

"Alright, okay." Mom said as she got up and picked up a few empty dishes. "Why don't we stop the smack talk for a couple of minutes and get cleaned up? Kyle, should I lay out some snacks for your friends? When is Marie coming over?"

Kyle shrugged. "It's just a few guys from the team. We already saw most of them yesterday and they should eat before coming over." He got up to take his plate and cup to the sink. "Marie isn't coming over."

"Oh?" Mom paused to look at him.

All of us were the same. Shocked that his very serious girlfriend wasn't invited. This was a big deal to Kyle.

Kyle went to the kitchen with his dishes and came back empty-handed. He realized we were waiting for an explanation when he came back. He shrugged. "If she came, then her parents should be invited too. It would just be…overwhelming."

"Her parents are real weirdos." Noah stage whispered to Grampa. "They didn't like me and Jake the first night we had dinner together."

"How could that be? Jake doesn't even talk ten words a meal." Grampa was surprised.

"Exactly. They had some strange thoughts." Noah moved his eyebrows up and down. "Honestly surprised that their daughters are semi-normal."

"Marie is completely normal." Kyle rolled his eyes. He turned to Mom. "Can you make sure he behaves tomorrow? Her parents will definitely want to sit with you guys at the graduation ceremony."

Mom turned to Noah, hands on hips.

Noah immediately put his hands up in self-defense. "I didn't say anything last time we saw them when Kaylee got hurt. I feel like that is proof enough that I can control myself." He scooted his chair back and got up to take his own plate to the sink.

Luckily there was some knocking at the front door before Noah and Kyle could get into it.

"I've got it." Kyle went to go answer as the rest of us helped to clean up.

"Should you be holding Kyle's phone or something?" Noah asked Ryan.

Ryan gave a smile and shook his head. "No. It's all him. I don't get to work until they send him some offers for his signing bonus."

"What do you think he's looking at for a bonus?" Dave leaned in and asked in a low voice so Mom and Dad couldn't hear as they talked with Rose and Jeremy just feet away.

Ryan didn't shy away from the question. "I spoke about this at length with Kyle. It's not a secret. If he goes in the third round, he's looking at half a million easy. If he drops, it'll be less, but still looking at six digits."

"Our friend, Garret, went 25th yesterday." Noah said. "What do you think he's looking at?"

"First round is practically guaranteed two million." Ryan said. "Of course, it'll depend on how much money the drafting team has to work with too."

"Damn." Dave let out a curse. His eyes widened as Kyle came in with Garret and the two other graduating seniors: Matt and Tyler. Dave bolted over and threw his arm around Garret's shoulders. "Heh. Mr. Moneybags. Don't forget to give me a graduation card tomorrow. I'm flexible and willing to take cash, check, or a transfer over Venmo."

Garret pushed him off. "No way, man. You chose that broke college life and now you have to live it. Enjoy your nights of ramen and water."

The five seniors started to talk about college and the future. They were all going to different places, taking different paths.

Noah looked back to Ryan. "What about those that go late? How much can they expect with a bonus? Do they still employ an agent like you?"

"Sure. Yea." Ryan answered. "I don't know if I told you all, but I've represented draftees before. No one as high as Kyle, but I've looked over their minor league contracts and signing bonuses. Plus a couple of advertising contracts. Nothing too big, but I guess it's all about perspective. I think the smallest bonus I've seen, is 75,000 dollars. That's practically a years worth of salary upfront."

Noah slowly nodded. "And how much of that goes to you?"

Ryan rocked his head side to side, thinking. "It depends. If I'm just helping one-time and you're not retaining me, probably as high as 20%. Of course, you don't have to have an agent to negotiate and help advise you. My commission is also negotiable. For example, I have a couple guys I work with right now and most are somewhere between 12-17%. With Kyle, we agreed to 10%."

"Wow, you gave him a good deal!" Noah blurted out.

Ryan laughed. "It might look like it, but to me, Kyle is going to be my own biggest payday. He's the best athlete I represent."

"For now." Noah jerked his thumb in my direction. "Your biggest payday should be coming in two years. And I'm willing to bet he's the first of your clients to hit the majors."

Ryan grinned at me. "I'll be honored to represent you, Jake. If you choose me, that is. It's normal to shop around for the best agent that fits your needs. Some have better connections and have been in the game longer. As a future top pick, you should consider those with more experience."

I slowly nodded. "Yea, I don't know yet. Mom will still want us to visit some colleges and maybe commit to one. Right? That's a negotiating tactic you wanted Kyle to do."

He nodded. "Yes. Most definitely. You can never go wrong having a backup option."