The Hitting Zone

Top of the sixth. We got the bases loaded thanks to walk by Jesse, a single by Jason, and then another walk earned by Mitchell. As Brian came up to bat, Lincoln's coach came out to do a pitcher change. Brian came back near the on deck circle and talked to Dalton a little bit.

"Going to tack on a few more runs." Noah grinned at me as he held his bat.

"You have a lot of confidence for someone who is only 1-3 at the plate today." Sean laughed.

"I didn't say I was going to be the one to do it." Noah replied. "Brian and Dalton have the best odds. No outs. Bases loaded." He looked towards Coach. "If Brian doesn't have an RBI at the minimum, you should take him out."

Coach squinted at him. "Only if you don't mind that I do the same to you. RBI or bench."

Noah forced out a laugh. "You know I was just kidding, Coach."

Coach gave a small shrug. "I don't think I was."

Sean patted Noah on the back. "I don't think you'll be playing the last two innings."

"Would you like the same opportunity, Sean?" Coach asked.

Sean shook his head. "No, I'm good, Coach."

"I think your focus needs more work." Coach said. "Let's give you the same opportunity. If neither of you perform, we'll give you a break from the game."

Nearby teammates stifled their laughs to avoid being a part of the challenge. Requiring an RBI or you get subbed out carries a lot of pressure.

"Logan, Tanner, make sure you guys are warmed up." Coach said to the two known players on the bench. He caught me looking at him. "If you were to go in, it'd be for a pinch hit situation."

I nodded, understanding. If this game somehow became close, it would be better to put me where I was needed in the lineup. Somewhere I could make a change in the game.

The new pitcher was done with his practice pitches and it was finally Brian's turn to bat. Bases loaded. No outs. Brian came through on a 2-2 count, hitting a short single to right field. The outfielder made the catch on one hop and threw all the way home, stopping Jason from advancing anymore. But that was okay. Jesse scored making it 4-0. Still bases loaded, still no outs.

Dalton went to the batter's box and Noah moved out to the on deck circle. Dalton made contact for the fourth time today, hitting a sharp grounder up the middle. It almost looked liked it was going to get through but the second baseman had slid into the grass and made the stop. He threw it to the shortstop covering second. The shortstop was in a bad spot, facing the wrong way from first. He had made the tag on second base to get Brian out, but his throw to first didn't make it in time to convert the double play. Dalton was safe at first. Meanwhile, Jason had scored easily and Mitchell advanced to third. 5-0.

Runners on first and third, one out. Noah hit a line drive to left, bouncing it safely in the grass. Mitchell scored, Dalton advanced, and Noah got his RBI. I clapped and cheered with the rest of the team. 6-0.

Sean got unlucky, hitting into a double play to end the offensive. He came back to the dugout and let out a heavy sigh. "Who's going in for me?"

"No one." Coach said while slapping him on the back. "It was a good hit. Switch your gear and get back out there."

"Wow, thanks Coach. I really thought you were being serious with us." Sean said with relief, moving to his bag.

"I was. But then I remembered that no one else has a first baseman's glove. And you're a lefty so I would have to make Garret play and it's just not worth the hassle." Coach was brutally honest. "Don't worry, next time I'll make sure we bring a righty's first baseman glove just in case."

Some of the guys laughed and gave Sean a hard time too as they ran out onto the field. The rest of the game didn't have much action. Brian gave up one more hit, but other than that, it was smooth sailing. Top of the seventh Garret hit a lead off double, but no one was able to bring him home. We won 6-0.

The ride back to school was full of laughs and smack talk. I happily listened, not bothered too much about my lack of play time.

Surprisingly, when we got home, it was Grampa who was the most upset.

"I heard that coach of yours didn't put you in today." Grampa said when we sat down at the dinner table. He was sitting across from me, with the twins. "What was his excuse for not playing the best player in the area."

I felt my face heat up. "I'm not the best player."

"Best batter." Noah helped out.

"Same thing." Grampa looked to Noah. "Weren't you supposed to help him out?"

Noah shrugged. "Coach wanted us to play and win without him. I'm sure Jake will play in the next game on Saturday."

"We won't." Kyle stabbed the food on his plate. "Coach already said Bryce will get the mound. So lame."

"Kyle." Dad looked at him.

"Meh. Maybe we'll pitch against the JV guys again. Tomorrow or Friday." Dave said. "That's not so bad."

"Yea?" Noah asked. "How'd you guys do against them?"

"Destroyed them both ways." Kyle laughed. "Their coaches pulled us off after eight innings."

"Eight innings?" Dad looked concerned. "Is there a coach keeping track of pitches?"

"Of course there was." Dave laughed. "Even though it's just practice, Coach keeps a close eye on that kind of stuff."

"Heck, he even sent Drew to supervise our cool down." Kyle added. "If we had it our way, we would keep going to find out who would crumble first."

Dave rolled his eyes. "I said it wouldn't matter because it's not like we can judge who has the better team of hitters. The JV team has players from all grades and the skills vary. Some could have a good day and others could have a bad day."

"Sounds fair to me." Kyle said. "It's a pitcher's duel. First one to falter loses."

"Why don't we compare by strikeouts then? That's more personal of a skill." Dave asked.

"Do you two have to compare each other in everything?" Mom asked, sounding tired. "Look at Noah and Jake. They're the same age, playing similar positions and they get along."

"That's different." Kyle answered. "Noah is clearly the better fielder and Jake is the better batter. They already know what stats they beat each other in. Dave and I, we share too much in common. Something has to give. Just like how I know I was the better pitcher last year because I had the better stats."

"I got injured." Dave argued. "You got more starts than me."

"Not getting hurt requires a bit of skill." Kyle shot back. The two of them started to get into it, breaking down who led what stat.

"Sometimes I miss my quiet dinners." Grampa joked. He looked at Noah. "Is Saturday's game home or away?"

"Away." Noah told him. "We'll have a home game on Tuesday that you can come to. It's in the afternoon so it won't be so cold either."

Grampa nodded. "Alright."

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