The Hitting Zone

We restocked our snack plates before going to the living room, leaving Mr. Cameron behind to talk with other adults. Dave casually pointed out Garret's parents, cousin, and uncles to me. Then we saw our own coaches from the high school show up, along with teammates. Old and new.

Guys like Mahki and Kelvin. Pitchers like Ryan and Troy. Julian came with his little brother, Andy. Everyone mingled, chatting with one another and catching up.

Julian came over and tousled mine and Noah's hair. He squatted down. "Look at you two. Back to back champs." He grinned and nodded with approval.

"Yo, we're back to back champs too." Dave got up and gave Julian a half hand shake, pulling him into a hug. "How ya doing, man?"

Julian grinned. "Pretty bad actually. My college team lost the conference championship game so bad that it made me cry."

Dave laughed, Kyle rolled his eyes, and Andy looked skeptical.

"I probably would too if I were you." Noah told him honestly. He stood up too, to be eye level.

Not wanting to be the only one sitting, I got up to. "I'm sorry you lost." I told Julian. I didn't follow his college team so I didn't know how bad it was, but any kind of losing probably doesn't feel good.

He laughed and patted me on the head again. "Hey it happens. Baseball is a sport where you can fail half the time and still be considered great. But hey, look at you. Sprouting up like a weed." He eyed me and Noah. "It's hard to tell when you're with Noah because he's getting taller too, but with the twins nearby, it's clear to see."

"Thanks." I smiled, always happy to be complimented on my growth.

Noah straightened up and eyed the twins.

Dave pushed his face away. "Keep dreaming, bud. We've got to stop growing for you to catch us."

Kyle laughed. "Yea. Plus, by our junior year, we were already six-foot. You'd have to have another growth spurt this summer to catch the old us."

"I'll be six-foot soon." Noah declared confidently, patting his own chest.

We talked a little more about height, but then switched to baseball. Julian had a great season and was invited to play for the California Collegiate League like Zeke. He already knew he was playing for the Walnut Creek Crawdads outside of Oakland. He would stay in a dorm up there, but would be back for a couple weeks in August before school started again. Andy also had plans this summer; his parents were going to let him play for the travel team. I guess with Julian's help of convincing them that this is an investment in their future, they decided to give him a chance.

"They won't be giving me rides though so I'll have to set that up on my own." Andy shrugged. "After finals week wraps up, the team will get together and I can ask around to see who I can carpool with."

"If you get in a tight spot, just text Noah." Dave told him. "We'll be around for most of the summer. I don't mind going for a drive to watch some baseball."

"Yea!" Noah nodded along. "We'll be like your own cheer squad."

"Thanks." Andy revealed a rare smile. "I appreciate it."

The room started to fill up and someone raised the volume of the tv. The draft had already been on with broadcasters and analysts talking about the top picks.

["And here is Rob Manfred, the commissioner, to announce the first pick in the first round."

The commish came out and did an intro, talking about the Detroit Tigers. "With the first pick of the 2020 MLB Draft, the Detroit Tigers select Spencer Torkelson, Third Baseman from Arizona State University."]

The camera flashed to a young man surrounded by his friends and family. As the analysts talked about his stats and accomplishments, they showed some highlights of his college career.

"Damn, he's good." Dave shook his head.

"We know someone better." Noah commented.

"Awe, thanks kiddo." Garret showed up, throwing his arm around Noah's neck.

"Wasn't talking about you." Noah shrugged him off. He turned his attention back to the tv, where the commissioner came out once more.

["With the number two pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, the Baltimore Orioles select Bradley Thompson, an outfielder from Stanford University."]

The shot changed to a familiar place: the clubhouse of Stanford's baseball team. We saw the team surrounding Bradley, jumping around like they were celebrating a championship win. Which has to be on the same level.

"I see Zeke!"

"And Rhys."

The twins each commented.

Garret dramatically grabbed at his own chest and plopped down on the couch. "How could he? I've been betrayed."

Noah laughed and sat down next to him. "Should have seen that one coming. None of those guys can go home when they're still in it to win it." He pulled me down. "Sit down and relax. We'll have our own celebration when Garret gets called."

"There's no camera here to get us on tv though." Dave sat on the other side of Garret.

"Sorry for not being a high enough pick." Garret chuckled.

"We forgive you." Kyle sat next to Dave. "But as soon as you get a phone call, everyone better start recording and taking pictures."

"Of course!"

"Yeah!"

"No duh!"

"I'll be taking the selfies!"

The room got rowdy as everyone shouted what they planned to do. I grinned, happy to see everyone else having a good time. Even though the room was over-crowded, I barely felt claustrophobic. Almost everyone here was someone I knew or kind of knew in passing.

We all watched casually as the draft continued. I kept an eye out for Garret's name in the bottom bar as they showed the best available players remaining.

Miami Marlins went with a pitcher. As did the Kansas City Royals. Having already seen two teams that were listed to be interested in Garret, I leaned over to quietly ask Noah, trying not to get Garret's attention.

"Some teams can have multiple picks in the first round." Noah wasn't worried. "Plus there's compensation picks and Competitive Balance Round A."

"That's probably where I'll fall." Garret had overheard us and turned our way to tell us. He grinned and pushed his hair out of his eyes. "Don't worry. It'll still be on the TV."

"Would you still claim to be a first round pick if you go that late?" Noah asked, curious.

Garret laughed. "I probably wouldn't say first round. Maybe just my draft number. Like if I'm the 32nd pick, that's how I would say it."

"You should do that too." Dave elbowed Kyle. "Just go by your exact pick instead of the round. Especially if you can stay in the top hundred."

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Draft pick doesn't matter much when you reach the big leagues."

"You're just salty that you won't be as high as Garret." Dave remarked. "Or maybe you're already being defensive because you know I'll go higher after some time in college."

The two started to do their usual: bicker.

The Toronto Blue Jays went with a shortstop. Seattle Mariners took a pitcher. Pittsburgh Pirates took a second baseman.