The Hitting Zone
chapter-727

Noah should have seen the names on the roster list, but I wonder why he didn't say anything? Was he sure that these guys weren't going to do anything to me? Or was he sure that Mr. Miller had me covered? Maybe the twins being around convinced him that it would be okay?

I was preoccupied most of warmups with the thought that something could go wrong. Andy had to constantly get my attention and remind me that we were preparing to play in a game.

After Mr. Miller gave out the starting line up, the twins moved to the bullpen with one other pitcher. I took my bag to the dugout and placed it near Andy's.

"You okay?" Sean asked me, peering into my eyes. "You look unbelievably nervous for someone facing a freshman pitcher."

I shrugged, glancing around at my teammates for this afternoon. "I don't do well around strangers."

"Oh, yea, I know." Sean laughed. "Hard to forget given that your nickname is Bambi."

I rolled my eyes.

"Come on." He told me. "Grab your bat and put your helmet on. That'll make you feel better."

As the 'visiting' team, we got to bat first. Mr. Miller put Sean second and me third, so we would both get to bat in the first inning. I followed Sean's advice and got ready for my at-bat.

Playing on the freshmen field was a different experience. For one, they didn't have an outfield fence. Their field was connected to the soccer field so it was wide open.

"If you want a homerun, you have to hit it hard and be fast." Sean told me as we hung out by the dugout entrance. He practically read my mind as we looked out onto the field, watching the opposing team warm up. "Even I can get lucky and get a homerun. Technically. With enough speed that is. This is definitely a hitter's field."

"Sucks for pitchers." I whispered. If they faced any decent batter, it's almost an automatic double.

"Yea, you really need good outfielders for back up." Sean commented. "With a good arm, you might be able to catch a few players bad at baserunning." He glanced down at me.

I pursed my lips. "I don't need a homerun. A triple is good. Being safe is good."

"Better to keep the ball low then. Line drives." He pointed to the opposing coach, Coach Luis. "He knows you well, so the outfielders might play far out. If you give the ball too much air time, they'll have plenty of time and room to catch it."

Oh right. I nodded along. What he said made sense.

"Don't get tricked into advancing an extra base too." Sean said.

We talked some more until the game started and he had to move to the on deck circle. Today was a complete change from yesterday. Instead of starting an established pitcher, we faced a freshman. I felt bad watching him give up back to back hits before even facing me.

Like Sean had predicted, the outfielders had backed up when I came up to bat. I recognized most of them as returning JV players, but I wasn't sure if these were their normal positions. I kept the ball low, settling on a line drive to left field.

Both runners scored and I made it to second without sliding. An early 2-0 lead.

Something I started noticing yesterday was that the teams didn't cheer so much when getting hits, scoring, or even winning. I didn't mind it though. I kind of appreciated the lack of attention and liked that none of these guys were trying to crowd me. It had the same atmosphere of the Stanford camp, but less intensity.

The game was...definitely a batter's game. Miller and Luis both used freshmen until halfway through, only to replace them with sophomores that weren't that good. I was thinking this was my first chance to face off against another sophomore and maybe get revenge for Noah.

Mr. Miller wasn't on the same page as me though. He pulled me at the same time, resting me on the bench. "Don't look so depressed." He laughed as our team started to take the field for the bottom of the fourth inning. "You did well. Two for two, four RBI's. If I let you stay in the game, it's borderline bullying."

I rubbed my nose, feeling guilty because I kind of did want to bully the sophomore pitcher. I guess that's not a nice thought to have, but the way they abandoned Noah just because he made varsity without them, rubs me the wrong way. I don't think a good friend like him should be treated this way.

Sitting on the bench with me was Sean so at least I wasn't alone. He was talkative enough for the both of us, getting along with everyone that was close to us. He would pester Andy whenever he sat with us, wanting to know more about Julian going off to college. Apparently Julian was moving into his dorm this weekend.

"What about Zeke?" Sean asked me. "When does he go?"

I shrugged. "I don't know." I knew it was coming up, but I don't think he ever said a specific day and time. I deflated at the thought of him going away. Depressing.

"I hope they both do well!" Sean said to us. "I hope to start visiting colleges too." He went on to talk about how he was emailing college coaches, trying to get his name out there. He didn't have much hope for a big division one school, but he was looking for a scholarship to some smaller school.

After the game, the twins came to the dugout, both sweating like they had pitched a game.

I blinked. "What did you guys do..?"

"We worked out of course." Dave grinned, wiping the sweat coming down his cheek. "Did some handstands like that guy from Stanford. Shawn."

"I wonder how he's doing." Kyle hummed.

The two talked about that old Stanford visit from a few months ago while we walked to the car. We loaded up our bags and waited a bit for Noah. We talked about the game to pass the time.

"There's no standout players in the incoming freshmen class." Dave noted, leaning against the back of the car.

Kyle nodded. "At least no one among the pitchers. Even the sophomore class looks kind of weak."

Dave looked to me, sympathetic. "It's going to be tough after we graduate."

I held back a sigh. It seemed like everyone was talking about the future. But what about the now? "We have you guys and Garret for the spring. Then Bryce and Brian will be seniors next year."

"But what about your senior year?" Dave asked.

I shrugged. "That's too far away. A lot can happen between now and then."

"I think Noah could try to pitch. He's got a strong arm." Kyle said.

"Nah. He doesn't have that kind of stuff that makes a pitcher." Dave waved his hand around, shaking off Kyle's suggestion.

"What stuff makes up a pitcher?" I asked.

"If you know, you know." Kyle shrugged.

I squinted at them.

Dave nodded, still in thought.

I rolled my eyes and wondered how Noah grew up with the twins. He probably suffered a lot.