"We're going to do warmups first . " Coach looked around . He cleared his throat and raised his voice . "Listen up, men . We have a new face among us . " He tried to pat the top of my head, but I dodged by reflex . The team laughed at our awkward moment . "Well, you've definitely got quick reflexes . " He looked around at the guys in the dugout . "This is Jake Hollander . He will be getting a tryout at today's practice so we'll be changing things up a bit . "
There was twenty or so pairs of eyes on me . I quickly took a step behind Noah, trying to avoid the looks .
Zeke clapped his hands just outside of the dugout . "Stop gawking . Grab your gloves and head to the outfield for warmups . "
The team went into action, grabbing their gloves and following Zeke to the foul line in the outfield . Noah turned around and gave me mine before having us follow .
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Zeke stood on the foul line and dropped his glove . "Skips . " The whole team followed suit, and started to skip forward to the center of the outfield .
"Just skip forward then we skip backwards . " Noah explained . "Our warmup is all about dynamic stretching . Do you know what that is?" We stood at the end of the group and did our skips with the team . Only going like twenty yards out then back .
I shook my head no .
"Basically it means stretching as you move . Which is different than static stretching which means you stay in place . Dynamic stretching is better because less chance of injury and you become more flexible . Good for baseball . " Noah commented .
For every word Zeke called out, Noah had to explain what it was specifically . Zeke was able to shorten every stretch into one word, making me feel that I didn't know anything about stretching . Occasionally I could hear the teammates mention my name, making my face burn with embarrassment .
After an assortment of dynamic stretches including arm and leg swings, circles, shuffling, squats, jogging and a few short sprints, Zeke told us to pair up and grab a ball .
I obviously stuck with Noah like gum into shoe . We picked up our gloves and he grabbed us a ball . We stayed on the edges of the group so I didn't feel too uncomfortable being around so many strangers .
As we threw the ball back and forth, he would keep taking a few steps back, increasing the difficulty of the throws . He wasn't the only one . All the guys on his side kept backing up further on the grass . Dave and Kyle were already the furthest apart, challenging one another to who would have to make a bounce pass .
Noah didn't go as far as them and as others . "We're infielders . " He explained . "We focus more on speed and accuracy than distance . The twins are pitchers so they also need the strength . "
I glanced at Zeke, all the way on the other end, tossing the ball with a tall, dark skin boy . They had the same distance between them as the twins .
"Zeke? He's a center fielder so he naturally has the strongest arm . He's throwing the ball to Mahki Holstrom . He's also a senior . He plays in the outfield as well, usually on the left, but it depends . "
I stopped throwing the ball, and tilted my head, letting Noah know that I didn't get it .
"He'll play on the right if Garret isn't pitching . Because Garret is a lefty, it's better if he plays left to better protect the foul line . " Noah explained .
"Bring it in . " Zeke called out . I turned and saw the coach already standing beside him . It must be time to start the tryout . I forced myself to jog towards him with the rest of the team .
Noah caught up to me and gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder . "Remember to stay calm . Stay alert . And most importantly stay loose . Don't tense up . You'll make errors and bad judgement calls if you don't . "
I nodded . There's no need to be so uptight . I went years without being on a baseball team before . If I can't play here with Noah, I'm sure we can still go to The Cages together in his free time .
Chapter end
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