The Hitting Zone

The medals around my neck clinked as we started to clean up our dugout. We took off our cleats and packed up our bags.

Coach started to address everyone. "Congrats, boys. What a way to end the year. We won't resume practice until school starts again in January. Don't forget your gloves and cleats on the first day."

"Shouldn't we start practicing again after Christmas and New Years?" Noah asked.

Coach shook his head. "No, rest up. Let's give everyone time to heal. Games don't start until February so an extra week off is fine." He looked around. "When I say that, I trust that everyone here knows what I mean. Those that are hurt, focus on getting better and don't make things worse." He made eye contact with me and moved on to Noah.

"What are you looking at us for?" Noah shifted his eyes, looking guilty.

"I'm not just talking about you two. There's also Dave and Tanner." Coach said. "I'll be sending texts or calling you guys up randomly to make sure you're getting better. To start the season off right, we need to be healthier. For those who don't have any problems, they should know how much to train on their own."

Mitchell stepped up. "Everyone has each other's numbers by now. Pitchers, don't hesitate to call or text me for a bullpen session. No matter if you're a starter or a reliever. I won't be going anywhere all break."

"Same." Oscar stood up from his spot.

"I'll be preparing our field for the new season." Mr. Miller spoke up and added. "I don't mind unlocking the bullpen, but if you use it, you have to clean it up."

"No problem!" Mitchell agreed with a grin.

Coach said a few more words, before wrapping it up. "I'll give Dave's medal to you, to give to him." Coach tossed one to Noah. Then another towards Garret. "This one belongs to Tanner."

Garret nodded. "I'm going straight to his house tonight. See how he's doing."

There was some small talk as we started to split up in smaller groups.

Kyle came to us and surprisingly picked up both of our bags. He rolled his eyes at our wide eyes. "Shut up. You guys did well today and I know you're a little beat up." He paused as we started to walk out of the dugout. "How was Dave when he left the game?"

"Dislocated finger for sure." Noah answered. "He didn't seem to be in too much pain. Wanted the trainer to reset it right then and there so he could continue."

Kyle snorted and let out a small laugh. "Good thing he didn't. It worked out that he left." He spotted our group within the crowd. "Looks like we lost half of the fam thanks to Dave."

We joined the group of three: Dad, Rhys, and Jeremy.

"Great game!" Rhys was the first to say while the other two nodded in agreement. Rhys tipped my cap up to reveal more of my face. "And you! MVP! Congrats!"

"Thanks." I fixed my hat.

"How's Dave?" Kyle asked Dad. "Is he done with the hospital yet?"

"Rose took him and Mary to see Dr. Shanfield since we aren't too far from his office. He's also not too busy at the moment since it's so close to the holidays." Jeremy spoke up. "They're done and had already said they would meet us back at the hotel."

We all remembered Dr. Shanfield since he was the one I got to see for my leg injury just a few months ago. It's also where we ran into Jack Maberry for the first time. He was the A's team doctor and was very accommodating to me even though I was just Jeremy's younger brother. That's nice of him to see Dave just before Christmas.

"Is it serious?" Noah asked his dad.

Dad shook his head. "Nope. Just a straight dislocation. No fracture, and no surgery needed. Dr. Shanfield was able to reposition the finger and gave us a follow up appointment in a couple of weeks."

"He's out for weeks??" Kyle was shocked.

"Even though it's his pinky, it's also his pitching hand." Rhys shrugged. "It's better to be safe than sorry."

"Exactly." Dad nodded. "But there's nothing to worry about. He's got some time until the season starts. The Tulare Invitational isn't until mid-February. As long as the healing and rehab goes well, he could probably start that very first game."

"No." Kyle rejected. "That'll be my start."

We cracked smiles and laughed. I guess Kyle was no longer worried about Dave coming back for the season.

Dad looked at me and Noah. "Do you two want to grab ice here or at the hotel?"

"I want to take a nice hot shower first." Noah said. "I don't think I even really need ice. The heating pad worked better to get me ready for the game." He twisted as if to prove that he was feeling better.

"Okay, okay." Dad looked at me. "How about you Jake?"

"My ankle is all taped up." I told him.

"I can help take it off in the room." Rhys volunteered. "Then you can ice it as Noah showers."

"By the time you boys are all cleaned up, it should be dinner time." Dad stated. He glanced at Jeremy. "You're the local here now, any suggestions?"

Jeremy grinned and looked down at us. "How do you guys feel about celebrating with steak?"

"Yes!" Kyle pumped his fist.

"I think it's overpriced since the MVP here might just be ordering soup." Noah shrugged. "But it's not my money."

Dad let out a small chuckle. "We're only in town for one more night. Let's let Jeremy pick. Tomorrow night, the MVP will get to pick." He winked at me.

I felt my face flush. Everyone kept saying 'MVP' and even though I did well, it just sounds...unreal. The six of us piled into Jeremy's suv and went back to our hotel.

Dad was the first to split off, going back to his room to make some calls for his real estate business. It was hard to remember that today was still a Monday. Normal people still have work. Kyle followed him back too, wanting to change out of his uniform and maybe just take a quick shower to rinse off. He said he got to throw for a little bit in the bullpen and had worked up a small sweat.

That left Jeremy to follow the three of us back to our room. Noah grabbed his clean clothes and got in the bathroom first. I sat on the bed so Rhys could start unwinding all the tape off my ankle. Jeremy went to the ice machine in the hall and filled up a bag to put on my now bare ankle.

"How does it feel?" Jeremy asked, sitting on a spare chair. Rhys sat on the bed he shared with Zeke.

I shrugged. "Not bad at all. I think I'll be fine by next week."

"Take it easy and let it heal properly." He instructed. "Like Wayne said, there's plenty of time until the season starts."

I nodded. "Yea, Coach said the same kind of thing.. He wants us all healthy for when the season starts."

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