On no . No, no, no . I shook my head and moved my arms to form an x . There's no way I could play second base . I didn't know much, but I knew that position would be way too complex for a beginner like me .
"Now hear me out, Jake . " Noah tried to calm me . "Most hits come to left field, third base, and shortstop, because a majority of high school ball players will bat right-handed and pull it . As a second baseman, you will only have to coordinate with me and I can just tell you where to go . "
I stopped disagreeing, but was still hesitant . There's a lot that goes into an infield position . I didn't want to let Noah down, but I did want to play with him .
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"After testing your fielding, they might do situational plays . Like runner on first, one out, a hit comes towards me the shortstop . What do you do?"
I pointed at his hand drawn second base . I obviously cover to get the runner out .
"Yes, but you also have to make a quick throw to first to try and get the double play . As long as I'm fielding the ball, you should always cover second base, then throw to first . That'll cover most plays . For when you field, I'll cover second, but you should only throw to me if someone is coming from first . Normally no one would be on base, so that's when you immediately throw to first . "
I nodded . This was the basics . I've seen a few games in middle school so I wasn't a total newbie . I just didn't have the experience to apply these plays .
"Now let's talk about covering first base . Do you know when to do that?" Noah asked .
I didn't reply right away . I don't think I ever saw a second basemen go to first . . . I've seen a pitcher cover it in a middle school scrimmage game .
"Okay . If the ball is hit to the first baseman, it's going to be your job to back up the play . If the ball gets into the right outfield, you should sprint out onto the grass and act as a cutoff man . What else . . . " Noah tapped the pencil against his notebook, trying to think of the main points I needed to know . "I guess the most important point would be our communication on who is covering the base . " He shrugged . "We can wing it for now . Today's goal is to just get you on the team . You'll impress them with your batting, skate by on fielding, and then we'll work on your situational plays afterwards . "
My eye twitched . So much so quickly .
"Just rely on me . You'll do great . " He gave me a confident smile and I really felt like I could do this . He made a fist and held it out . "It's a fist bump . You've done this before with friends, right?"
I made a fist of my own and bumped his . I've never had someone to do this with, but I've seen other kids in my grade, do it . Noah really is my first friend . Every kid before was just a classmate . No one had ever reached out to me before like Noah did . I didn't want to let him down, so I must get on the team and win this bet for him .
"You look pumped up . That's good . " Noah slapped my back . "Just think, if we could pull this off, we'll get to play baseball together every day . I can't wait . We'll practice turning double plays, fielding drills, and go win games together . It feels nice to be able to share the excitement with someone . "
I thought so too, but I don't think I would play without him . So this is my only chance . I don't want to miss it .
Chapter end
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