The Hitting Zone

The week ended quickly after the twins's birthday. Thursday was a mix of planning and preparing for the weekend. Kyle would stay home Friday night with Grampa for prom with Marie. Mom and Dad would take the three of us to Zeke's game Friday night, and then Saturday morning we would be taken to our tryout just across the bay. We were all packed up and ready to go before even going to school on Friday. So it was a quick turnaround to get home from school and hit the road.

Dave argued that he should drive them in his 'new' car since it was his now. Dad let him, taking the front passenger seat so he could give directions. Mom took the middle row with some of the bags, looking like she was answering emails off her phone. Noah and I took the back row like always.

Our first stop was the hotel to get checked in and put our bags away in the two conjoining rooms. Then we hurried to Zeke's school.

"There's like, absolutely no parking." Dave groaned as he looked around and drove slowly through the lot.

"What did you expect? Four schools worth of fans had to come today. The first game is about to end so some spots should clear up." Noah said, leaning forward. "You should just drop us off front and wait for a spot to open up."

"Are you kidding?" Dave asked in disbelief. "You guys would leave me behind."

Surprisingly, it was Mom who made the first move, pulling out a ticket and handing it forward. "There's your ticket. We'll get your food and drink for you so come straight to the seats." She opened the door. "Let's go boys!"

"Yes!!" Noah scrambled over the seat and out the same door. I hurried to follow.

Dad opened his door too. "This is the responsibility of the driver, son. We'll see you inside. Take your time and pay attention to safely." He paused after getting out. "Maybe you'll get lucky and find a spot before the first game ends, then we'll be outside waiting for you." He shut the door.

The four of us stepped away from the car and let him drive on to look for a spot.

"Do you think he'll really find a spot before the game ends?" Mom asked Dad.

Dad shrugged. "You never know. Some spectators might leave early."

Noah had his head down, looking at his phone. "There's always people like that. No matter what kind of game. He'll be fine. What I really worry about, is how Stanford will fare against teams like these." He showed me his phone. It was the score of the first game going on. "Texas A&M is beating Cal State Fullerton 12-7. What a hit-fest. Neither of them have pitchers or what?"

"Could be saving them for Stanford?" I suggested.

Noah nodded. "That's possible, but almost everyone had almost a week off so it should have been the best pitchers going. I really expected low scores first because it's really important you get ahead in this tournament. You lose twice and you're out."

I didn't really understand the double elimination format, but with Noah around, it was like I had a rule book with me at all times.

The game came to an end soon after Noah had announced the score. Loads of fans in team colors emptied out from the stadium, mixing with fans that were waiting to get in. Dave must have gotten lucky with a parking spot because he was able to join us before we could even get in.

It was probably the longest I've ever waited to get inside a stadium, but Noah explained that they had to make sure everyone left, restock, and clean up a little to prepare for the late game. It also gave the teams time for those to get out and switch with the incoming. Normally the games aren't this close together but the first game ran late, probably due to all the hits and runs stretching the game time out.

We waited over an hour before getting a chance to line up to go in. Zeke was able to secure tickets that made sure we had seats. They weren't the best, but in a packed stadium with standing room only, I appreciated having a seat and having an unobstructed view of the field.

Today was a great game to see because Rhys got the start too. We would get to see the roommates in action and they absolutely dominated. The whole Stanford team did, really. It started early with a double from Zeke followed up by a homer from Bradley Thompson. Rhys breezed through the first five innings easily, racking up the strikeouts almost earning two an inning. The offense still outpaced his strikeouts though, finishing with 13 runs scored. Rhys ran into a hiccup in the eighth inning, giving up a two-run shot to left and they pulled him after that. The new pitcher finished the job and they won their first game 13-2.

Throughout the game we had stadium food for dinner, not making Mom happy but there wasn't much that could be done. She also wasn't liking the idea of us staying late to see Zeke before we leave, but Dad convinced her that it would be alright since tomorrow's drive to the camp really wasn't that far and traffic wouldn't be too bad on a Saturday morning.

"Good game!" Noah shouted happily at Zeke and Rhys as they walked out of the stadium, looking freshly showered.

Rhys grinned and adjusted the ice bag on his shoulder. "You better be talking to me. I carried us to that win tonight." He held out his fist.

Noah bumped his fist with his own. "Of course! Without you, we'd be here all night. Way to keep their half of the inning short."

"Yea, you need your beauty rest tonight. Gotta get some good sleep and be ready for your tryout, right?" Rhys grinned.

Dave laughed. "Yea, it really is just a tryout for him. Jake is already in."

"Doesn't mean he can slack at all." Zeke commented. He glanced down at me. "You'll take tomorrow and Sunday just as seriously as you would any practice, won't you?"

I straightened up and nodded. "Of course."

"Jake wouldn't take any practice easy." Noah came to my defense. "He would be too scared of messing up to take anything easy."

My hands subconsciously went to my stomach. I wasn't feeling queasy, but maybe I was about to.

Dave patted me on the head. "Just think, last time you fell and ate shit, but still became the first person officially on the roster. Not bad."

Rhys laughed. "Yea, that was a good video."

I sighed and looked up at the night sky.

"Just think of all the hitting matchups you'll get to do this weekend." Noah rested his hand on my shoulder. "It'll be fun."

I relaxed.

We talked with Zeke and Rhys for half an hour before Mom started to say that we should get back. Dad walked with Dave to go get the car and Zeke hung around until they came back and we loaded up. He and Rhys waved as we drove off.