The next day we started the school routine once more . It followed the same pace as the previous week so I really felt like I was settling in . It wasn't until practice that something new happened .
"I'm Julian Wilson . " A tall teen with broad shoulders stood before me and Noah as we finished warmups .
The name sounded familiar, yet I couldn't remember why .
"Julian usually starts at first base . " Noah told me; then faced Julian . "Did Zeke send you over to go over plays with Jake?"
He nodded . "We'll have to coordinate well . "
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I pointed at Drew, the trainer, who seemed to be waiting for me with the ladders all set out . He saw me pointing at him and waved . So deceitful, trying to act friendly before he goes back to torturing me .
"You can go with him first . " Julian sounded mellow, like he was one to just go with the flow . He started to walk back to the group, but I reached out and grabbed the back of his jersey . He turned back to us and I dropped my hand . "What is it?"
Noah cleared his throat . "Jake wants to go over the plays now since he feels insecure about it . "
"You sure it doesn't have anything to do with him not wanting to work out with Drew?" He replied lazily .
I tugged my cap down to hide my guilt .
"It's also true that he's insecure though . " Noah defended . "Zeke bullied us all day Saturday, going over situational plays . Could you imagine? I think he would feel better if Zeke wasn't supervising since that would be added stress . "
I nodded . Noah had a way with words .
"Okay, but you'll have to go join the group in team drills . " Julian acquiesced . "I'll take Jake in the infield to go through some visualization . I'm sure Zeke will test us still, but it's always better to be prepared when he's the proctor . "
Noah patted my shoulder . "You're in good hands . I trust Julian will help you out a lot so no need to be anxious around him . " He gave me a reassuring smile before running off to join the team and coaches .
Julian led me to the infield and we stood near first base . "This base gets the most action . Anytime the ball is put into play, someone should be here to cover . Even if it's a long hit to the outfield . Do you know why?"
I frowned . To hold them at first base would be my first guess, but he wouldn't want such a simple answer .
"It's because of errors . Running errors . " He explained . "Say we the other team gets a hit to the outfield . A base runner is trying to score from second . He's quick and makes it home as we bring the ball back to the dirt . But maybe, just maybe, the hitter thought we would make a useless throw home so he started to move to second . Now with someone at first, we can try and catch them in a pickle . "
What . . . I raised my hand slowly .
He raised an eyebrow . "Do you have a question?"
I nodded . "Pickle?"
He cracked a smile . "I didn't think the first word I would hear from you would be pickle . Not even a simple hi, bye or how are you . But just pickle . " He gave out a laugh . "I forget that you're still new to baseball . A pickle is also called a rundown, which occurs when the baserunner is stranded between two bases . I'll remind Zeke to have us try a few before the week is up . "
I sighed, filled with depression at the thought .
Julian patted my head, pushing my hat down . "There's a lot to learn . Even for me . Baseball is always evolving and there's a million different things that could happen . Even professionals can be caught off guard, or make errors, and there's always a loser . So don't act too depressed . "
Julian's words brought comfort and really put me at ease . I tried to make a mental note to look at pros making errors on the web later tonight .
"Now let's get back to work . Drew looks ready to snatch you at any minute . " He continued .
I snuck a glance at Drew and he really did look upset . Oh man, I'm scared to find out what's waiting for me over there . I swallowed hard and tried to remain focused on what Julian was trying to teach me .
Chapter end
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