The Hitting Zone



Noah and Brian were the only ones that fully played the JV game. The rest of us starters became benchwarmers and cheer squad of sorts. Especially when Sean and Bryce joined us. They were the loudest and knew what to say. We won the game 7-0 with Brian throwing all seven innings. He only gave up two hits, no walks, with ten strikeouts. Noah got another hit, Sean finally got his first. Korrey was the only varsity player that didn't get a hit. 

Everyone in the dugout could tell he was frustrated after his third fly out of the game. Mr. Miller held him back for a private talk, leaving the rest of us to clean up the dugout and field. Being a varsity member from the start, I never had to intentionally take care of the field. There was always Mr. Miller waving us off. I thought Noah would be as clueless as me, but he actually took the lead and divided up the jobs among us. 

Afterwards, we grabbed our bags and said a few words to Kaylee before going to Grampa. He congratulated us, making a quiet remark that the game lacked the same intensity as the higher level. Which made sense. But also, we were the higher level with a few freshmen mixed in. It also wasn't a league game so it lacked the same atmosphere. 

We made our way to the varsity field, spotting some familiar faces do uphill sprints. Coach stood at the top, whistle in his mouth and hands on his hips. Alisha was right there next to him clipboard in hand. 

"Excuse me. Aren't you Jake Atkins?" A strange man approached just as we reached the edges of the varsity field. 

I frowned, but nodded. 

"Why aren't you playing in the varsity game today? Are you injured? Did your coach suspend you?" He rapidly asked three questions in a row. 

I immediately looked to Noah. 

Noah stepped up and as expected, spoke up. "Our coach decided to shuffle things around in the program today. It's not a big deal. Wednesday, we'll be back."

"Does your coach often bench the best player on his team?" The guy narrowed his eyes. 

"Our coach does what he thinks is best." Noah stood tall. "And I think it's pretty evident from our previous championship win and our undefeated season so far that he knows what he's doing."

"You don't feel the least bit slighted about not playing today?" The guy looked directly at me. 

I shook my head. I did play today. Got a couple of hits. And we won. But I didn't tell him that. He didn't sound like he cared about that kind of stuff. 

Thankfully, the varsity game ended causing some cheers and shouts to take over. The guy glanced to the field and Noah grabbed me, pulling me towards Grampa. 

"We'll go home with you, Gramps." Noah gave him a meaningful look. 

Grampa nodded. "Make sure to text one of your brothers. We'll go pick up dinner on our way home."

"You're not going to cook for us?" Noah asked. 

"Not today. Too short on time. Tomorrow will work though." He answered as we made our way to Mom's car. He opened the trunk and we put our baseball bags away. 

We got in and he started to drive. We went to a drive-thru, picking up a lot of junk food that Mom wouldn't usually let us have. Grampa reasoned that fries came from a potato so it was considered a vegetable. He also said tomorrow would be healthier so we shouldn't eat him out to Mom. Neither of us were willing and when we got home, the twins promised not to tell either. Over dinner, they talked about Garret's dominance on the mound, only giving up two hits. We talked about ours and how Brian only gave up two too. 

Noah and I didn't bring up the guy that approached us because it didn't seem like it mattered. Until it did. 

We went to school the next day and found out from Mr. Miller that Coach was called into an early morning meeting with the athletic director, the principal, and some school board members. I immediately twisted around to look at Noah, wondering if he was thinking the same thing I was. 

"Is he in trouble?" Noah asked Mr. Miller as we got a ride up to the school. 

"Can't say for certain." Mr. Miller sighed. He stopped to let us off. "Don't be surprised if somebody from the front office wants to talk to you boys. They might interview some of the players."

My heart rate started to climb. "What do they want to know?"

Mr. Miller shrugged. "I'm just speculating. The AD will most likely back Wilcox. Just depends on what the others want to do about it."

I felt a small sense of dread throughout the day until Math with the twins. Then it got exponentially worse. Some student from the front office came to get me. I looked at the twins for help. 

"What's this?" Dave asked, confused. I guess he hadn't heard about Coach maybe being in trouble. 

"Can one of us go with him?" Kyle looked to Mr. Petrus. 

"That's not advisable." Mr. Petrus handed the note back to the student. "But, I'll allow one of you to walk him to the office. Don't be gone so long. The other should be taking notes to help Jake out."

"I'll go." Both of the twins said simultaneously while standing up at the same exact moment. It made a lot of the class laugh and ease some of the atmosphere. 

"Pick one, Jake." Mr. Petrus told me, sounding patient despite the student still waiting. 

I looked to Dave. 

Dave nodded and grinned. He patted my shoulder. "Alright. Let's go see who's wanting to talk to you."

We left my stuff and headed for the exit with the student walking with the hall pass. He led the way to the front office and I used the walk to quickly recap to Dave what had happened yesterday and what we heard from Mr. Miller this morning. 

Dave frowned. "I'll walk you all the way in. If there's no one at this meeting that you feel safe with, I'll tell them to call our parents instead."

I dropped my shoulders with relief. That sounded good. 

We were met by Principal Bowden as soon as we entered. He looked at Dave with surprise. "We really only wanted to talk to Jake for right now."

Dave nodded. "I know, but if Jake isn't comfortable answering questions in this kind of setting, I think it's best if you wait for our parents to get back in town."

"Jake isn't in any trouble though."

"Doesn't matter." Dave stood firm. "Jake has to have reasonable accommodation no matter the circumstance. If you don't believe me, you can just ask his therapist."

I nodded along, absolutely agreeing. 

"Dr. Moore is here in the office today if that would make you more comfortable." Principal Bowden looked to me. "But please, let me emphasize again that you're not in trouble. Me and a few others just want to ask you some questions regarding your time on the baseball team."

"And I'm telling you that it doesn't matter if Jake's in trouble." Dave stressed. "He simply doesn't feel comfortable around strangers." He looked to me. "Dr. Moore or do you want to refuse and wait until Mom is back in town."

I hesitated. Waiting until Mom and Dad get back was very tempting. It wasn't just as simple as not liking strangers or feeling uncomfortable. My anxiety would be put to the test. But...they said I could have Dr. Moore there. He would understand me. And would understand the situation better than me. It would be a two-way tool. I didn't want Coach to be in trouble and I just had a feeling that he would be if I didn't go in there right now. 

I looked up at Dave. "I'll have Dr. Moore with me."

He clapped me on the shoulder. "Okay, man. You've got this. Dr. Moore will be there. If things go south though...and you choose to run...come find us. We'll solve it together."

I nodded. 

Dave hovered a little longer as Principal Bowden walked me to Dr. Moore's office. Dr. Moore was more than a little surprised to see us together.