The Hitting Zone
chapter-518

We all got out of the car, and after making sure we had everything, we headed for the giant stadium.

"Dad, can I see the tickets?" Dave asked, peeking over his dad's shoulder.

"Why?" He asked.

"I just want to know where we'll be sitting." Dave shrugged.

"Shouldn't it be the outfield?" Kyle asked.

"Why would Dad park over here then?" Dave asked. "Dad would have parked near the gate for the outfield seating if we had those tickets."

Kyle brightened like a bulb. "Dad! We aren't sitting in the outfield?"

Noah groaned. "There goes my chance to catch a homerun ball."

The twins didn't pay any attention to Noah and instead, kept hounding their dad about the tickets.

"I don't have them." Mr. Atkins said simply, holding out two empty hands.

The twins immediately went to their mom and started pestering her.

"Wayne, stop amping them up." She sighed. "The tickets were left at the will call window so that's where we'll go. I don't know anything else."

The twins backed off and waited until we approached one of the ticket windows near the main entrance. Mr. Atkins spoke to them quietly and was soon handed a stack of tickets. He straightened up and smiled at us. "Alright, let's head on in." He passed the tickets out, giving everyone two each.

I didn't think anything of it, until Noah started to do that bouncing thing again. He wasn't the only one. The twins were also hopping about. Even Zeke looked surprised.

I looked to their parents for help.

"One ticket is for your seat." Mr. Atkins started to explain. "The other ticket is for on-field access before the game. Jeremy thought it would make your first time more memorable."

Oh.

"If he's trying to buy his way to our good graces...I can only welcome him with arms wide open." Dave proclaimed while looking at his tickets.

That comment made Noah calm down real quick. His smile disappeared and a frown took over. He looked up at his dad. "And you accepted this? Is it really okay for him to try and win Jake's acceptance this way?"

Mr. Atkins patted Noah on top of his head, pushing his hat down. "When accepting gifts, you can't be so picky. He wanted to do something special for Jake so how could I say no and deny Jake this opportunity? Plus, he knew Jake wouldn't go without everyone so he planned it well. I don't think of this as 'buying forgiveness'. But more like trying to put in some effort and care to show his sincerity."

Noah looked at me. "You're okay with this?"

I shrugged. "I think it's nice." Besides, seeing them happy makes me happy.

"Let go already!" Dave waved, pointing at the security line.

We followed his lead, going through the metal detectors and letting the security guards check Noah's bag.

This was a first for the Atkins as well, so they didn't know where to go either. Dave asked an usher and then someone arrived to give us an escort as they scanned our tickets. We went to a basement of some kind, walking through cement hallways and came back up a few stairs right next to the visitors dugout.

There we saw a team in gray taking batting practice.

"Houston Astros." Noah told me, whispering. "They're division opponents."

We all had to stand back near the netting, roped off, but still only ten feet away from the pros. The twins were the fastest to whip out their phones and started to take pictures. Mrs. Atkins was a close third, taking out her phone and started to take pictures of us.

Noah posed willingly, pulling me into every shot.

"Patterson!"

"Jeremy! Over here!"

"Patterson! Patterson!"

All the screaming for a familiar name made us look to the left, towards the A's dugout along third. Jeremy Patterson was stepping out and some nearby fans were going crazy for his attention. He took some time to sign a few autographs for those behind the rope before reaching us on the end.

"Glad to see you all could make it." He smiled, looking awkward. He was decked out in his complete uniform, including cleats and his A's hat. He put his hands in his back pockets. "Was the drive okay?"

"Not bad at all." Mr. Atkins replied. He nudged his twins. "Don't you all have something to say to Jeremy?"

"Thank you!" The twins chorused.

"Thanks." Zeke nodded politely.

Noah looked up at Jeremy. "Do we not get to see you guys do some batting practice?"

I looked up at him too.

Jeremy shook his head. "Only on certain game days. Friday's aren't one of them." He glanced at me. "How do you like it?"

I shrugged. "It's cool."

Jeremy shifted back and forth, glancing at the cage covering the batter at home plate. "Kind of feels like the place you guys took me to, right? Someone's batting, the rest are chatting."

I nodded. "It's very laid back. Nothing like when we prepared for games."

Jeremy laughed along with the Atkins.

"That's because we have to do this 162 times." Jeremy said. "It's better to use this time to strengthen and stretch, prepare for the long season. You don't want to be too serious and accidentally pull a muscle during bp, and then you'll be out a few games. That's no good."

"Oh." I felt my face warm up.

There was a stall in the conversation as no one knew what to say.

"Why don't I get a picture of you two together?" Mrs. Atkins lifted her phone. "It'll be a nice memory to have. Your first mlb game experience includes being on the field with the pros. Very cool."

The boys gave us some space. Jeremy got closer to the rope and I stepped back to fit in the shot. He towered over me, almost a foot taller. I could hear Mrs. Atkins saying, "Look over here." So I did. And did my best to smile.

After a few, Jeremy waved at Noah and the boys. "Let's do some with everybody."

Noah got in first, squeezing between me and Jeremy. The twins stood on the other side of Jeremy and Zeke stood on my side. Mrs. Atkins beamed as she pushed the button repeatedly.

"What a good looking group of young men." Mrs. Atkins said happily. My smile became more relaxed, surrounded by the Atkins. "I'll send some to you Jeremy, if you want?"

"Please do." He answered.

"Do you think you'll win today?" Dave asked.

Jeremy glanced at the Astros players just a few feet behind him. "Every game is a toss up." Then he grinned my way. "But I'll do my best to make sure we win. Don't want your first time to be tainted with a loss."

"Good." Noah crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm expecting multiple hits. A homerun would help. You've got to make up for Maberry not playing too."

Jeremy looked helpless. "He was injured before I got here. It's not my fault Jake can't see him in action."

Noah squinted. "Are you wimping out?"

Jeremy took his hands out of his pockets. "I always do my best." He glanced down at our clothing. "Are you all wearing Maberry jerseys?"

"Me and Jake are!" Noah said proudly.

The twins and Zeke had on other players names on their backs.

"PATTERSON!" A very loud voice came from his dugout.

Jeremy lifted a finger to the other party and signaled for needing one minute. He looked down at me. "I won't be able to see you after the game, but thanks for coming." He looked around at the Atkins. "And thanks for being here as well. I appreciate it." He waved and headed for the voice that called for him from his team's dugout.