The Hitting Zone

Top of the third. Mitchell took a couple minutes to get his catching gear off and switch to his batting gear. Dave even beat him out to the on deck circle, taking practice swings like he was aiming for the fences.

Noah put his helmet on and started to tug on his batting gloves. His legs were bouncing up and down, showing how eager he was. He suddenly looked to me. "Let me steal second if this works."

My lips twitched. "For you to get up, one of three before you had to get on. I don't think second would be open, but if it is, I'll leave it up to you."

"Everyone will get on." Noah stated confidently.

Sometimes Noah spoke like it was a premonition, but other times...he was full of it. Mitchell pulled a fly ball to left field, which was easily caught for the first out.

"Ok, maybe not." Noah laughed as he jumped up. "I'm going to go tell Coach what I plan to do. If I get the opportunity." He bounced his way to Coach looking like the energizer bunny.

I sighed and started to get ready too. Even if I don't get a chance this inning, at the very least it'll end with me in the hole. During Dave's at bat, I put my helmet and batting gloves on. I grabbed my bat and headed for the hole spot next to Noah.

Dave was really put in some effort during his at bat. On an 0-2 count, he was fouling the pitches all over the place and then let one pass for a ball. The first called ball from this guy on the mound.

"C'mon Dave!"

"You've got this!"

"Straighten it out!"

"Prove you're the better twin!"

The last comment came from Garret, prompting some laughs in our dugout.

I think when it came to hitting, Dave did have the edge over Kyle. Not by much but he could get an occasional hit.

Dave's at bat turned into the longest of the game so far. Pitcher versus pitcher. 1-2 count. Foul. Foul. Foul. Foul.

"God damn." Garret muttered under his breath. "He's going to tire him out."

"Who will tire who out?" I asked, eyes still on Dave. He let another pitch pass for a ball. 2-2 count.

"Does it matter?" Garret lowered his voice. "Both of them are working so hard. Dave better make it count. All those foul balls are going to make his arms more tired when he's on the mound, trying to pitch."

Dave got to a full count. Then a beneficial call from the umpire, that could have gone either way, was ball four. Dave lightly tossed his bat back to us and jogged to first base amid some claps and cheers from our side.

Bryce moved to the batter's box and Noah to the on deck circle. Noah had a chance as long as Bryce doesn't hit into a double play.

The pitcher seemed upset by the walk, doing two check throws to his first baseman to keep Dave nearby. But it wasn't like Dave was a runner. By the time the pitcher turned his focus on Bryce, you could see his rhythm was messed up. He started wild, getting to a 2-0 count before throwing a strike in the zone. Bryce let it pass. 2-1. The next pitch came in and Bryce swung, pulling it down the line.

Dave took off for second and Bryce was sprinting to first when the third baseman made an excellent stop. Just as our dugout started to groan at the thought of a double play, the third baseman's throw went over the second baseman's outstretched glove and the ball rolled into right field. The right fielder was the one to back up the play, coming in to get the ball and throwing it back to the infielders. Dave was safe at second and Bryce at first. A throwing error on the third baseman has allowed us to have a runner in scoring position. And it was Dave.

I moved out to the on deck circle as the guys started to rally. Coach gave out a sign and Mr. Miller repeated it. The runners had to go as soon as the ball left the pitcher's hand, Noah was going to try to sacrifice bunt. But I knew Noah. He wanted a bunt single.

Noah set up like normal, not showing any signs of a bunt, but as soon as the pitcher started his motion, he shift his body and moved his hands along his bat. The third baseman started to sprint in as Noah bunted the ball down the first baseline. He dropped his bat and took off.

The ball rolled perfectly, making the pitcher the closest to it. The pitcher wasn't prepared. By the time he picked the ball up and looked around, there was no suitable base to throw to.

Our teammates in the dugout rattled the fence and started to make a lot of noise. Noah had a successful bunt single. I came up with bases loaded and one out. I don't know who started it, but soon my name was chanted clearly from the dugout and a little from the stands.

"JAKE! JAKE! JAKE!"

The catcher called for 'time' and went to the mound. He was soon joined by the other infielders and even a coach from his dugout.

"Jake, over here!" Mr. Miller waved for me to join him down the line. Dave was already there, but so was Bryce from second base. Mr. Miller covered his mouth with his hand and leaned down. "They'll probably pitch around you, Jake. Borderline calls. Won't be afraid if they just walk you for one run in."

"Oh." I sighed.

"That doesn't mean you don't have to swing." Mr. Miller told me. "You probably won't be able to do too much off the junk they throw you, but if you can get it to land in the outfield for a hit, Dave will easily score and Bryce is fast enough to score from second."

"Ohhh." I nodded, understanding. Mr. Miller is saying I don't have to just take the walk. I can try for a hit.

Dave chuckled. "I'm sure Noah will be itching to come home wherever you hit it to."

I nodded again. Noah was a risk taker.

The umpire broke up the meeting on the mound and everyone went back to their positions including us. I chose to bat from the right side again, casually scanning the field for some gaps. Everyone seemed to have a neutral standard spot. Not leaning one way or the other. But that's okay too. I can try for the corners.

pAn,Da n<0,>v,e1 The first pitch to me was low and away, barely touching the strike zone but the ump gave it to him. "Strike."

The second pitch followed the same trajectory but dipped even lower. "Strike."

My eyelid twitched. I resisted the urge to glance back at the umpire. However my teammates had my back and some complaints could be heard from our dugout.

"Get your eyes checked, ump!"

"That skimmed the dirt!"

"Yea, check the ball for scuff marks."

With an 0-2 count, I was on the defensive now. Gotta be able to reach whatever the next pitch might be. Third pitch kept with the same low corner trajectory. I had to step more in to be able to reach, using the end of my bat to slice it down the right field line. Dropped my bat and started to run.

"Stay fair!"

"It's in!"

The ball landed just next to the foul line and rolled as the right fielder came chasing it. I tagged first and headed to second. But Golden West didn't pay any attention to me. It was all on the runners trying to score.

Dave. 1-0. Bryce. 2-0. Noah did round third like everyone thought he would and was headed home. The relay throw was coming in at the same time. The catcher received the baseball and Noah dove head first.

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