The Hitting Zone



"Bryce just had to show me up." Noah muttered, yet he had the biggest grin of any of us. He slapped me on the shoulder. "Good run. I think you've really perfected your dive."

My eyes widened. "Do you really think so?"

Noah nodded. "Absolutely."

"Don't lie to him." Kyle slapped Noah on the back of his head. "You'll just make him feel worse the next time he gets called out."

"It's called building confidence." Noah pushed him away. "Don't worry, Jake. You look the best you've ever been."

My face twitched and I glanced at Kyle. 

"Eh, just hope no one took a picture of your form just now." Kyle patted my shoulder. 

I sighed and sat down. "It's okay if it doesn't look so good. As long as I'm safe, I'll live."

Sean got jammed and popped out to short. Followed by a fly out to center by Brian and our inning was over. 

Top of the fourth we took the field with Garret having to go through the West Valley lineup for the second time. The first batter in the order ripped a hard liner. Noah was there to snatch it out of the air, jumping an incredible height. He landed on his feet and the crowd cheered him on for his good catch. Noah tossed the ball back to the mound underhanded. 

Garret caught it and pointed at Noah. "Sportscenter Top Ten play!"

Noah grinned and tipped his cap. 

Garret faced the next batter, and on a 1-2 count, the guy barely connected on an outside pitch, popping it into foul territory. Sean chased it back and Brian was coming in. 

"I've got it!" Sean waved him off and caught the foul ball for the second out. He smiled and flipped the ball to Brian. 

Brian then threw it to me and I threw it to Garret. Everyone got back into position as the third batter was announced. He stepped up to the plate and Garret got set. Garret started his motion, threw what looked to be his cutter, and the batter swung and connected, earning a base hit to left. Korrey caught it on the hop and hurried to throw it back in to Noah, holding the guy at first. 

More than a few people let out groans despite it only being a hit. It's just...it was the first hit Garret gave up tonight, taking away the perfect game and no-hitter in the same swing. 

The cleanup hitter connected early in the count, hitting a sharp grounder right up the middle, just barely missing Garret on the mound. I moved towards second base, but heard Noah call me off, so I backed him up. Noah scooped the ball up and stepped on second for the forceout and to end their offensive. Noah rolled the ball to the mound and we jogged back to the dugout together. 

"Is it sad that you gave up such a basic hit?" We heard Kyle asking Garret. 

Garret shrugged. "I wouldn't classify the feeling as 'sad' maybe just a little disappointed. But winning comes first." He grinned. "Plus, the shutout is still in play." He turned to Coach. "How is the pitch count looking?"

Coach turned to Alisha. 

"52." Alisha read off her notepad. 

"And that's with more than half the game being over." Garret took his hat off, tossing it onto the bench. "I've got this, Coach."

"Uh huh. Sure." Coach didn't seem surprised or fazed. "Don't stress yourself out too much. You can afford to give up some runs."

"Don't say that, Coach." Noah said. "It feels like you're granting him permission to screw up."

"Hey! When have I ever screwed up?" Garret pulled Noah into a small headlock. "I'll make short work of their lineup. They can attack the fastball but my breaking balls can end them."

"Take it easy on your arm." Kyle said seriously. "Giving up a run is small screw up compared to blowing your elbow before the draft."

"Bunch of worrywarts." Garret chuckled. "I think Jake is rubbing off on you guys."

"We have a friend who threw out his arm. Don't push it." Kyle told him, taking this very seriously. 

"I know my limits." Garret let go of Noah and assured everyone. "I won't play hero." He winked. "At least not until the championship game. Then all bets are off."

Bottom of the fourth, a new pitcher for West Valley came in. And he made short work of our bats. Korrey went down swinging. As did Jason and Mitchell. Garret was left on deck and I in the hole. 

"Jesus." Noah shook his head. "That guy had a freakin hot start. Good thing that's not how the game started."

I nodded in agreement. I switched my helmet for my hat. "He has very good control. Almost like Dave." I thought about it. "His speed is on par with the twins, but I don't think it'll be a big problem."

"Oh?" Noah grinned. "Hoping you might get a chance to swing the bat in the next inning?"

I shrugged helplessly. "I dont know. I'm trying not to get my hopes up."

Noah patted my shoulder. "We'll go to the cages all weekend if you want."

I nodded. 

We took the field for the top of the fifth. Garret gave up a single to center field. But it was okay because the very next batter hit a grounder to Noah at short. Noah flipped the ball to me as I got to second base. I stepped on the bag and threw to Sean at first. 6-4-3 double play. Noah and I bumped fists and got back into position. Garret got the next guy to go down swinging; his sixth strikeout of the game. 

"You made it look easy, you guys." Coach told Noah and I as we got back in the dugout. "Good work on practicing those double plays."

I gave a small smile, happy. 

"Don't be afraid to let more balls come my way, Garret." Noah grinned. 

Garret was getting ready for his at bat. "It's reassuring to have you behind me, but I just hope you know I go in facing every batter, aiming for a strikeout."

"So greedy." Kyle muttered. 

"You're just jealous you don't have a good breaking ball." Garret told him. 

"I'll working on it in the minors." Kyle told him. "And when it's ready, I hope to strike you out."

"In your dreams."

"I can only hope we're in the same circuit this summer." Kyle rubbed his hands together. "I'll get some long-awaited revenge."

"You think they'll let me hit?" Garret snorted. "Unless I screw up my arm completely and have to become a fielder-hitter, then they won't risk it."

"Who knows?" Noah said. "Shohei Ohtani is a pitcher that bats."

"Yea, because he hits bombs." Garret shook his head. "He's also proven himself. I'm just some nobody from high school."

"Don't give it up."

"I didn't say I was going to give it up." Garret picked his bat up after putting on his helmet. "I'm just saying they won't let me hit in real games. I'll still take batting practice and work out in the cages. Just in case. I could also be an emergency pinch hitter." He headed for the dugout exit. 

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