Zeke and the coach also joined with the group . Coach was the one to take charge first . "Kyle, Dave, then Garret if we really have to . " He looked at me . "You don't have to run the bases . Treat it like batting practice for now . "
I nodded and everyone started to take their place . Kyle went to the mound, Kelvin tightened his catchers gear and squatted behind home plate . They did a few warmups as the rest backed up and became spectators .
I stood just outside the righty's box, waiting for them to tell me they were ready . Looking out to the field felt a million times different than looking at a pitching machine and netting . It felt so open; I could hit the ball anywhere .
"Get a feel for the pitches, Jake . " Noah called out . "It doesn't have to be all hits . " I think he's advising me to foul off a few first before getting comfortable . I nodded .
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"Okay, kid . Step in . Anything close will be a strike, anything outside will be a ball . Don't worry about the calls . Let's see what you can do . " Coach commanded .
I took a deep breath and slowly let it out, then stepped in the box . I faced Kyle . He gave a nod, then got set . He did his motion and the ball came quick . A fastball maybe around 80mph . Too easy . I know Noah said to get a feel for it just because I only have pitching machine experience, but I couldn't pass up and such a simple pitch . I took a fast step, moved my wrists, swung my arms, and connected with his pitch . It was a line drive to left field where the team was .
Luckily Zeke had someone stand on watch . The hit dropped right before the guy and he caught it on the bounce . Thankfully not disturbing the teams fielding practice .
"Nice one, Jake!" Noah called out .
I could also hear Zeke and the coach talking in the background, but couldn't make out what they were saying . I was zoned in on Kyle, who looked in the outfield with disbelief on his face .
"Kyle!" The catcher, Kelvin, called out to him . He faced us, and then Kelvin threw a ball at him . "Next pitch . "
Kyle nodded, but still looked a bit distracted . He got set once more . This time he tried pitching a bit faster, but to me it looked even more down the middle . When Noah said that the twins pitch to contact, he must have meant they always pitch in the strike zone . I started my swing and this time smacked the ball to the opposite side in right field .
This time Kyle didn't turn to look . He started to glare at me . "Ball . " He demanded .
Kelvin tossed him one and got back into position . "Doing pretty great kid . Usually Kyle makes batters pop up or groundout . Easy plays . So far, you're two for two, both line drives to good spots . "
I think it was a compliment, but the way Kyle kept glaring made me feel my anxiety bubbling up .
"Keep it up, Jake! Show him what a real hitter looks like!" Noah cheered like mad . "Don't you dare wimp out from his glare . He can't do anything bad to you . Zeke would stop him . "
I glanced at Zeke, not ready to offend Kyle even more without appropriate backup .
Zeke and Coach stood like statues . Firm and unmoving . Zeke glanced at Kyle . "Focus on better pitches . Don't get so rattled . "
"Yes . " Kyle responded . He walked off the mound and wiggled his arms, probably to loosen up . He came back on the mound and eyed me down, but no longer looking as fierce . "Ready?"
I felt better and stepped back in the batters box . The next pitch came . Hit . Then the next . Hit . And so on . Hit . Hit . Hit . Kyle pitched a total of thirty baseballs that I sent all over the outfield . Some pitches looked on the border of the strike zone, yet it was close so I still sent it out .
"That's enough . " Zeke called out . "Jake, take a small break as we collect the balls . Dave, you'll start taking a few practice throws with Kelvin . "
We all split up . Kyle and Zeke jogged out to collect the balls together . Dave and Kelvin started to warmup again . The coach went over and spoke to Garret and Jordan . Noah followed me to the dugout and handed me one of his waters .
Chapter end
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