The Hitting Zone

"Noah James!" Mom scolded, making him and I flinch. "Can you take an extra second to chew before you choke?!?"

We were all settled in for a late Sunday night game at Klein field. Dave, Noah, and I were able to meet up with the rest and as soon as we entered, Noah started begging for food. And I couldn't blame him with my own stomach growling. Lunch was forever ago and we didn't have much to snack on while waiting in the parking lot. Dad let us go crazy at the snack bar and we stocked up so we wouldn't have to miss a pitch during the game. This could be it for Stanford after all. If they lost…Zeke would be headed for the summer collegiate league.

"Mom, I'm almost 16." Noah rolled his eyes. "I think I know how to not choke on my food."

"Age doesn't matter." Mom said. "Either eat slower or I'll take it away."

Noah grumbled yet complied. I also consciously ate slower just in case Mom got mad at me. It's not like we were truly starving. Just hungry. I knew the difference.

Stanford got on the board early thanks to Zeke and Bradley Thompson. They kept the lead as they racked up the runs. Texas A&M had a few opportunities, scoring some runs of their own but they just couldn't close the gap. Stanford beat them 13-5, forcing a third game between them tomorrow night.

Most of the stadium was filled with Stanford fans so the atmosphere was at an all time high throughout the game. Every hit. Every run. Every strikeout.

"It won't be like this in the minors." Dave told Kyle after the game as we waited for the stadium to clear out a little. "Most of the time, it's smaller than our fans at high school."

"Dude, I don't play for the fans. I'll be fine." Kyle rolled his eyes.

"Yea, I don't need them either, but it sure makes it more lively." Noah said with a bounce in his step. "It just brings more energy. There's a sense that you've got everyone cheering for you."

"Or against you." Dave smirked. "There's some satisfaction too when I hear the people from the opposition groan as I strike out their player. Just look at Jake. That groan from your own team can really bring you down."

The muscles in my back tightened up, but I spoke up about it. "I think that's more of an anxiety thing for me."

Kyle shrugged and put his hands behind his head. "I'm going pro. There are no consequences for me. I get picked, I sign the contract, then hit the road."

"God, you sound like a douche." Noah rolled his eyes.

I did my best to put a little more distance, hiding behind Dave.

"You wouldn't worry about finals either if you were in your senior year and getting drafted." Kyle said back to Noah.

"Duh. But I wouldn't go out of my way to make Mom upset about it." Noah rolled his eyes again. "Legit, I hope you end up in the shittiest small town in the middle of nowhere."

"Like that would bother me." Kyle rolled his eyes too.

"Okay, then I hope your girlfriend finds something better in college and dumps your ass." Noah folded his arms across his chest.

Kyle took a step in Noah's direction, but Dad reached out to put a hand on his shoulder to hold him in place. "Why are you boys even fighting?"

"He's the one treating you guys like sh-" Noah started to curse again, but stopped himself with a look from Dad. Noah shrugged. "Whatever. You're right. I shouldn't bother about Kyle." He glanced at me, then was taken aback. "What are you doing so far away, Jake?"

"Jake sensed a fight on the horizon and got out of the way." Grampa spoke up, answering for me. "I think you boys forget how lucky you are sometimes." He gave a pointed look at Kyle.

"Ugh!" Kyle dropped his shoulders, making Dad's hand drop. "You guys always treat me like I'm the villain. Of course I'll take my finals and graduate high school. I'm not really a delinquent. God dam…"

"Sounds like everyone is tired." Grampa commented. "Let's get back home. It's been a long weekend for everyone." He looked at Mom and Dad. "Don't worry, I'll call you when we make it back. The boys and I will be cheering on Zeke from home. Make sure he knows that the season can't end here."

"Thanks, Dad." Mom went to hug his skinny frame. She whispered something and he nodded in response.