The Hitting Zone

I tensed up after being named.

Coach rested his hand on my shoulder closest to him. To either point me out or to reassure me. I didn't know. "Jake did have a name change last year. He is now Jake Atkins. From what I remember, Jake got sick the previous night and didn't sleep well. He didn't even finish that game. This year, Jake was healthy and ready to go. Clearly seen from his leadoff homerun."

I nodded along, expressing that Coach was right.

"Jake is definitely the fastest upcoming baseball player in the state." Someone remarked. I remembered him as the guy that introduced himself as Rayhan. "Since you're here to supervise, we would also like to ask him some specific questions."

"If it's not related to the two games we've just played, maybe you can save those questions for a later date." Coach strongly suggested.

"In the next game, he might potentially face his cousin that was raised with professional Jeremy Patterson." Someone else spoke up. I recognized him too. The aggressive reporter from this morning. I started to feel sick to my stomach. "Can't we ask about his thoughts and opinions on this next game? I heard they still have a tumultuous relationship. We can all tell that Jake has a very...muted personality."

I subconsciously took a step back. Muted.

Coach held me in place, strengthening his grip on me.

"What thoughts can he have?" Noah laughed. "That guy's team hasn't even made the semifinals yet. We don't like making speculations. Besides, Coach already said that we try to win every game we play. No matter who the opponent is."

Someone else cleared their throat before changing the subject. "Question for Coach Wilcox about the status of your bullpen. You've only used one relief pitcher today, Brian Swoope."

"I was also used in relief." Garret pointed out.

The guy laughed. "Yes, but you aren't necessarily a relief pitcher from the bullpen. I want to know if we can expect to see more changes on the mound tomorrow?"

"Garret is projected to start our third game tomorrow." Coach answered. "As for whether he needs a relief, that will have to be seen. I'm not unwilling to use my bullpen in any game. What I'm unwilling to do is take a good pitcher off the mound because of a couple of hits."

"With your big three pitchers being used in the first three games, what do you plan to do in the finals?"

Coach grinned. "Win, of course."

Coach answered a few more questions with Garret occasionally chiming in. Anytime I was addressed or had my name called, I would start to twitch but Coach held me down with that hand and answered those questions for me. After almost half an hour of this, I spotted Mom and Dad approaching with Dave. Finally. Kyle stopped them to talk for a second and then as a group, they got closer.

Coach noticed too. He gave my shoulder a squeeze and let go. "Alright. I think everyone understands our mentality going into tomorrow. I'm going to go watch the other game now if you want to join me too."

Some of the men agreed and talked about the chance of me running into my cousin.

Why?

I bolted for Mom and Dad, happy to have them around.

Mom immediately pulled me into a hug and whispered. "You did it, Jake. Good job. I'm proud of you." I knew she didn't mean the game. It was staying around all those strangers. Maybe also happy that I didn't have my second breakdown of the day.

"Favoritism." Noah faked-cough, forcing us a part.

Mom let go of me and hugged Noah next. "You did well too. Also, another multi-hit game. Congratulations!"

Noah beamed. He puffed out his chest. "Only up from here."

"Mom, I definitely did the best today." Kyle inserted himself between Noah and Mom. "I should get to pick what's for dinner, right?"

Mom looked at Dad.

Dad laughed. "Yes, I think we all can agree that you had done the best today."

Noah nudged me. "You hear that? Your two homers aren't enough to pick dinner? Tomorrow, you'll have to hit three."

Dave and I immediately laughed.

"Hey! We came to the consensus that Jake can pick any other time. He's too good to compete with every game." Kyle argued. "He's another Zeke. He'll get to pick more than his fair share of meals in the future."

"Okay, okay, don't go acting like I starve you guys." Dad motioned for Kyle to lower his voice.

"I might as well be starved if I can't pick my favorites." Dave groaned. "This is one of the few times I pitch the same day as Kyle and I disappointed myself."

Dad patted his shoulder. "How about you pick breakfast tomorrow as a consolation?"

"Breakfast is free at the hotel, Dad!" Dave cried out.

The rest of us laughed, knowing that Dad was teasing Dave all in good fun. I started to relax being around them for just a second when I realized a couple of men had started to approach.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Atkins. I'm Eric Delgado, a scout for the Texas Rangers. I just wanted to check in to find out the status of what your four boys might want to do in the future. I don't think any of them have committed to college yet, correct?"

"I'm committed to Vanderbilt." Dave took a step back. "We're actually going to take a trip there soon so my family could see the campus."

Eric immediately wrote that down on a legal notepad. Then looked at Kyle.

Kyle straightened up and pulled his shoulders back. "I'm going to the draft. For sure."

Eric cracked a smile. "Just like how Zeke was 'for sure'?"

"If only." Mom muttered under her breath.

"It's an absolute for me." Kyle told him. "Zeke had changed his mind after visiting colleges. I've already done my visits and my decision remains the same: enter the draft."

Eric nodded and wrote some more. He looked up again, this time towards Noah.

Noah opened his mouth, but Dad cut him off. "Our two youngest sons won't be making any decisions this year. They're still underclassmen. Still need to take their SATs. Visit some colleges. You know."

Eric nodded again. "Yes, yes, of course." I noticed that although Eric did all the talking, a lot of the men nearby were taking notes too or typing away on their phones. Eric looked at me and I tried to resist the urge to hide behind Noah. "You're an amazing batter, Jake. Haven't seen someone so young and so successful at the plate in quite some time."

"Hmm." I hummed, unsure of what to say.

"You make it sound like Zeke was old in high school." Noah laughed. "Only a few years separate us. Zeke was great his junior year, only one year older than us now."

Eric looked like he wanted to reply, but paused. Then he lit up like he had an idea. "You and Jake are both 15?"

"Yes?" Noah was confused by such an ordinary yet out of place question.

"Have you two consider to tryout for Team USA?"

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