The Hitting Zone
chapter-99-30041322

As I rounded first, I saw that the outfielder just getting to the ball so I decided to run to second. I didn't want to stay on first and risk the next batter, Bryce, hitting into a double play. This whole inning is a gamble to turn this into a called game so I have to try.

As I headed to second, I kept my head up and watched the ball. The left fielder was throwing to their cutoff man, the shortstop. The shortstop had his body angled towards the third base side, looking like he was going to throw home as soon as he got the ball. Thankfully that meant I didn't have to slide.

As the relay throw was happening, I was able to watch Zeke run home. He's crazy fast to go from first base to home plate off my double. The shortstop threw to the catcher, but the throw was off and Zeke was able to safely slide into home. The crowd was going crazy.

"BAMBI!!" The dugout yelled out as a group. I jumped and saw my teammates shaking the fence and hollering at me. They must be excited that the score was now 9-3, four more runs to go.

The catcher asked for a time out and went up to the pitcher, with some of the infielders joining. The second baseman stayed near me, which confused me. It's a timeout...I can't go anywhere..?

I turned my focus onto Bryce, who was coming up next. I didn't really know him at all. We've had no contact. I think Noah had mentioned that there were four sophomores on the team: Sean, Brian, Theo, and Bryce. They had been on junior varsity last year as freshman and made an impact, so this year coach brought them up. Sean was the first one to make his appearance as a pinch hitter and surprised me with a bunt single. He was also the inspiration for my hit just now. Brian and Theo were always with the pitchers so we didn't interact at all. Bryce never did infield work with us so I wasn't sure what he could do, and since I never participated in batting practice, I didn't know what type of hitter he was.

As the umpire broke up the meeting on the mound, I looked towards Mr. Miller, wondering if he would give out a sign to Bryce. Or if all of us just got to freely hit as we please. Mr. Miller did a bunch of random hand gestures but never gave out the indicator sign so I guess Bryce is on his own.

The pitcher looked to be shaken up after my hit. He was throwing all over the place and ended up walking Bryce. Not that I was upset by it, but I wished I could see why coach had picked him to pinch hit.

The other teams coach came out and changed pitchers again. As he warmed up on the mound, Mr. Miller called me over.

I jogged to him real quick during this timeout. He put an arm around my shoulder, leaned in close to my ear, covered his mouth with his hand and whispered. "You're going to steal third on the first pitch to Noah."

I shook my head, vehemently. Nope. No way. I'll get out and coach will get mad at me and Zeke will for sure make me run laps.

Mr. Miller pulled me even closer. "Stop being so transparent. Bryce is going to run as well. It'll be a double steal. If you don't run you can cause two outs and the inning will end. Just look at me, Okay? Don't worry about the pitcher, catcher or anyone else. As soon as I clap my hands, sprint to me. Try and slide away from the tag. It'll come late since Noah is a righty. He'll be in the way of the throw."

I thought about it. If I caused the inning to be over, I'm sure my laps would be doubled. I could do this. Even if I got out, they can't really blame me. They all saw how bad I was in the first game.

"Remember to lead off the bag." Mr. Miller smacked my back and sent me back to second base. I unsteadily jogged back. Lead off?

As I got back to the bag, the umpire signaled for the pitcher to stop the warm up. Everyone resumed positions. I took note that the shortstop and second baseman were further back and not really holding me to the bag. Even the first baseman wasn't standing on his bag. They were still looking for a double play, which is plausible with Noah up. He hit into a double play last game so they might have known that he hits grounders.

I thought about how I've been watching players on base and how they led off. They usually were ten to fifteen feet off the bag depending on the middle infielders. I swallowed hard and started to step off the bag. I tried to stay in the direct line to third, and measured out a good distance off the bag, but still closer than the fielders.

I know Mr. Miller said to focus on him, but I couldn't help but to watch the pitcher. I didn't want to be picked off and not even get a chance to save myself from laps. I glanced at Mr. Miller, ready to sprint and probably dive at third if I have to.

The pitcher got set, peeked at me, peeked the other way at Bryce. Then he started his motion. I watched Mr. Miller from the corner of my eye and he brought his hands together as the pitcher took a step forward.

I broke out in a sprint to third base. My eyes didn't even want to see where the pitch went, I focused on third and Mr. Miller. "Stay up! No slide!"