Coach gave another speech about taking this seriously even with missing pieces like Zeke and Julian . He told the pitchers to all report to the bullpen after warmups so they can discuss a more detailed plan with the pitching coach .
Mahki then led us out, taking over captain duties that belonged to Zeke . We warmed up like any time before, moving with all seriousness that coach expected us to have .
After running, stretching, tossing the ball around, and getting warm, the pitchers and our two catchers headed to the bullpen . Noah explained that the first two up would probably get to start practicing their pitches with Kelvin and Jordan, the rest would have to wait until the game started .
AdvertisementI followed the normal pregame routine and made sure to pay extra attention to my fielding . I wanted to set a personal goal for the game: no fumbling with the baseball . Clean fielding . I'm not just talking about errors either . I wanted to look as good as Noah when he fields . Even though he said we could do extra training during midterms week, I wanted to get a head start now . I'm already behind in terms of fielding .
After the umpires showed up and asked for the lineups, everyone started to move to their respective dugouts . As our team arrived back in ours, Mr . Miller instructed the first few of us to get our bats and put on our helmets .
The top of the order started with Noah, me, and Mahki . Garret and Brian also got ready with the belief that we wouldn't get out .
Coach came back to the dugout and clipped the lineup to the fence . "Okay, boys, listen up . They'll be coming out with Ricky Cee . " The dugout listened to Coach in silence, not showing one emotion more than the other . Leaving me guessing if they knew who that was or not . "Come out swinging and don't get caught watching . " He reached out and patted Noah on the helmet . "Lead us off kid . "
Noah left and I followed . We both stood by the on deck circle, with me watching him take practice swings . Noah glanced up, then used his eyes to direct my attention to the field .
I looked up and saw the home team taking the field, throwing the ball around . I didn't see anything worth watching of the field players, so I focused on the pitcher . Ricky Cee . He's significant enough for Coach to give his name so he must be well known . On some level . Maybe Noah wanted me to watch his warmup?
Ricky looked tall up on the mound, almost like a kid on stilts . He had a thin frame, with arms as thick as a noodle . He went into a windup, stretched out his left leg, planted, then his whole right side came following through . I blinked and his pitch had already made it to the catcher . Ahh . So he's fast . That's why Coach said to come out swinging . It'd be a waste if the guys just watched it go on by .
The home plate umpire gave him a couple of minutes to throw off the mound before signaling the practice balls be tossed back, and for Noah to step up . Noah gave me a smile and walked off, leaving me on my own within the on deck circle .
Ricky didn't waste any time or pitch, and went straight down the middle against Noah . Noah held true to Coach's instructions, and swung . Foul . Foul . He left one pass for a ball . On the 1-2 count, he swung at another fastball, sending it to the outfield . The center fielder sprinted in and easily caught it for the first out .
"Nice contact!"
"Good swing!"
"Your turn, Jake!"
The guys chatter from the dugout could easily be heard . The crowd here was very minimal . Besides a few parents of the home team, and Mr . Atkins for our team, there wasn't a student in sight . Not many kids would wake up early on the weekend to watch their school's baseball team after all .
Noah gave me a high five as he walked back to the dugout, for encouragement . I walked up to the lefty's box with my wood bat and got set, already anticipating Ricky's pitch . I let the first one go high for a ball . I wanted to swing, but I preferred something within the zone .
The second pitch came, drifting to the strike zone from the outside . With a swing, I connected, but just barely, sending the ball down the third baseline . I took off for first, but when I got close, I saw the first baseman extend his gloved hand and catch an incoming throw . The third baseman must have been abled to field my grounder . I sighed and slowed up to a jog . Crap .
Chapter end
Report
|
Donate
Oh o, this user has not set a donation button.
|