The Hitting Zone
chapter-720

Noah's explanation made the dugout go silent. With Mr. Miller back too, no one dared to object on Joey's behalf. As far as I was concerned, he had his chance. He knew he was getting tired. Getting sloppy. I can only shake my head at such an arrogant guy.

A junior, Jared, took over on the mound and got warmed up.

"Drew's here." Noah spotted a golf cart parking near the field.

The familiar athletic trainer got off and came through the gate. He went to our dugout and revealed a giant smile. "Jake! I missed you!"

I laughed, feeling a little uneasy. "I'm okay. Just a bag of ice will do."

He grinned, getting closer. "I'll give you ice for now. You'll have to be responsible and not overdo it for the rest of the day. Wear shorts tomorrow so I can examine it a little better." He motioned for me to get up. "If you can stand, it'll be easier to wrap the ice to your leg."

With Noah's help, I got up, putting most of my weight on the non-hit leg. Drew held a bag of ice against my hamstring and then used plastic wrap to keep it attached to my leg. After a few go-arounds, he ripped the plastic wrap and let me sit down again.

I hissed from the coldness.

"In pain?" He asked.

"Just super cold." I answered.

"Guess you won't be having that showdown with Garret later." Noah told me.

"Definitely postpone that." Drew instructed.

I sighed. "Okay."

Drew left me with some more instructions, telling me to meet him in his office before the camp starts in the morning. If it was just a small bruise then he would let me play; if it wasn't that simple than we would do some other exercises.

"I really think it's just a bruise." I reassured him.

"Probably. You do have a lot of fat, muscle, and tissue that can cushion the hit for you." He nodded. "Doesn't hurt you double check."

"Fat is not something I would use to describe Jake." Noah laughed.

I rolled my eyes.

Drew pat me on the leg. "Jake is looking good. Much better than six months ago. Wouldn't hurt to add a few more calories to your meals though. Good calories. Healthy snacks." He glanced at Noah. "Do I want to know how unhealthy you've been eating this summer? You look like you've put on weight."

"It's all muscle!" Noah argued. He untucked his shirt to show off his abs. "Feel! I'm in shape!"

"Zeke doesn't let us snack very much." I added.

Drew shook his head with a small smile on his face. "I can only imagine how bad you'll start eating when Zeke heads off to college. Hey, tell him to stop by one of these days before he goes."

"Sure." Noah said.

After my exit from the game and Joey's replacement, the game had resumed. Jared, the new pitcher in the game, didn't expect a bunt from his first batter, Ollie. No one expected it. Both Garret and my replacement were stunned and had to sprint all out to the next bases. Jared went and got the ball from the third base side and decided to just throw it to first for the for-sure out. Runners on second and third with one out. That was a successful sacrifice bunt. Wasn't pretty, but looked good on the scorecard.

Andre came up next, swinging (and missing) at anything close. He went down after three pitches. Two outs.

Luke, the only other senior on our team, was able to hit a single in the corner of right field. Garret easily scored, while Alex had to sprint and then dive under the catcher's tag. Luke considered going to second but with two outs, he decided to stay where he was. The score was now 6-2 so an extra base didn't mean too much.

Max, our pitcher should have been up next, but Mr. Miller went with a pinch hitter. Another freshman, Ryan. Jared didn't show an ounce of struggle as he struck him out to end the inning.

Noah and Garret left me to take the field one last time. Mr. Miller put in another new pitcher I didn't recognize. He started off weak, giving up a solo shot to a pinch hitter for Jared, making the score 6-3. Tanner followed it up with a single.

Batter number seven grounded into a double play to give my team a sense of relief. Then the pitcher struck out the next guy for the last out. We won the scrimmage, but no one seemed particularly happy. There were a few exceptions though. Like Noah and Garret.

The pair smiled and joked as they packed up their bags. Noah helped me with mine, making sure everything was in before putting it on his shoulder with his own bag.

"We'll have to move the showdown between you and Jake." Noah told Garret as we hung out in the dugout, watching the others pack up and leave.

Garret grinned. "I don't mind. Gives me more time to work with Mitchell. Speaking of which..." He glanced over to the other dugout where they were also packing up and getting ready to leave. "I should go catch him before he leaves."

"Yea, go." Noah nodded. "I thought it was weird they pulled him from behind the plate. Find out if it was anything."

I was surprised. "Isn't it normal to give other players a chance? We did a few pinch hitters. Even Garret was taken off the mound."

Noah glanced at me. "It's weird because why would they replace the catcher and not the pitcher? Unless the pitcher requested it..."

Oh. Joey. I snorted. "Lot good that did him."

Garret laughed and patted me on top of my head, pushing my hat down. "Look at you showing some attitude." He let go. "I'll text you later if it was anything." He waved and left our dugout.

Noah looked me over. "How you feeling? Think you'll make it back to the car? Or should I get a twin here to carry you back?"

That would be embarrassing. I grimaced. "I can walk back. Let's just go slow."

"Sure." He stood beside me as I got up and moved at a snails pace. "Good thing Jeremy is coming over on Thursday and not today. It wouldn't be very fun for you."

I shrugged. "It's all the same. Limp or no limp."

"Have you picked out where to go to dinner on Thursday night?" He asked.

I shook my head. "I'll just let him pick." I looked at Noah. "Will you...keep your phone on you? Just in case?"

Noah laughed. "Yea. Of course. Just in case."

Players passed us on the left and right, most going to the parking lot to get a ride home. Everyone must have ended near the same time. It wasn't long before Dave caught up to us.

"Yo! What happened to you, Jake?" He asked, giving my leg a glance.

I sighed. "Hit by pitch. Just going to bruise. I'm fine."

"Wow. Bummer. Who got a piece of you?" He asked.

"Joey Henderson." Noah told him.

Dave straightened up. "Was it intentional?"

I shook my head, but Noah only shrugged. "Hard to tell. He was getting tired and it was late in the game."

Dave frowned.