The Hitting Zone

"That was a 3-2-4 double play." Noah told me as I switched out gear. "First baseman, catcher, second baseman. You don't see that very often. Most double plays are 6-4-3 or 4-6-3."

I scratched my neck. "I haven't studied scorekeeping yet. I only know a little. The most common. I didn't go into depth."

Noah laughed and we walked out to the field. "It's no biggie. You don't have to cram all baseball into your brain in a small period of time. It took me fourteen years to get to this point."

As we took our positions, I realized Noah had a point. My baseball knowledge was limited, but I also didn't put in as much time as he did. I could only play at school and even then, I wasn't allowed on the school team officially because I would have needed parent permission.

A part of me felt cheated. But a different part of me felt thankful. I liked learning from the Atkins...it would feel weird if someone else taught me baseball at this point. Even if my dad had stuck around and taught me like he did for my brother, then maybe I wouldn't have a talent in hitting. The only reason I could hit so well was because my middle school had a batting cage with a pitching machine. I didn't get to play with others since it was a liability and all.

"Get it, Kyle!" Noah cheered from my right. I liked learning baseball from him even if he was forgetful and sporadic.

Kyle was pushing the batter into the corner with a 1-2 count. It was the fifth batter who got a walk in the first inning. This time Kyle got him to groundout right to Julian, who put in little effort to field the ball and step on first for out one.

The next few batters would be the real challenge for Kyle; the next three had all hit to center field, and the one after that had the double in the second inning. I would feel intimidated up on the mound, but Kyle had the hint of a smile as he studied the batter.

Kyle has to be more than confident because he threw nothing but strikes. One, two, three. Three strikes, and the guy struck out looking. What a pathetic at-bat. Two outs in the top of the fourth.

Batter seven came up to the plate looking unsure of himself, which only made Kyle grin more broadly. He also took a called strike. Then another. 0-2. He stopped and stepped out of the box for a few practice swings. Then came back, but his demeanor changed. He no longer looked worried, but confident. Kyle didn't seem to notice and pitched again.

The batter didn't waste any time and committed to stepping forward and swinging his bat. His bat met the ball and sent it back the way it came. Except...higher...and farther. I turned and watched as it soared to the outfield, well above Zeke's glove, and unfortunately over the fence. A solo homerun. 3-1.

I looked to Kyle to see what he was feeling, but I couldn't see. He was still facing Kelvin as if he knew that it would have been a homerun right away. Eventually the umpire threw him a new baseball and the next batter stepped up.

I glanced at Noah to see if he was worried like me, but he held a face of indifference. "Next one, Kyle. You can get this next one." He clapped with his glove, making some noise.

Kyle nodded at Kelvin's hand signs and got set. He threw a fastball right down the middle for strike one. Apparently he wasn't as shaken as earlier in the game. He continued to pitch against this guy and got him to groundout to Chris at third.

Bottom of the fourth. We jogged back to the dugout and I went to my bag, trying to decide if I should put my helmet on.

"Kyle. Get back in here." Coach commanded as Kyle had just left the dugout with his bat, helmet, and batting gloves.

Kyle frowned and made his way back. "What's up coach?"

"You're done. Dave's going to close it out." He told him straightforwardly.

"No way." Kyle's eyes widen and he immediately protested. "I'm up to bat right now. How can you just let him take over??"

"How can I? Because I'm the coach." He responded. "Besides, I was going to send a pinch hitter for now. Dave will take the mound in the top of the fifth."

Kyle clenched his bat. And his teeth. "Let me at least go up to bat. I can't just go out like this."

Zeke came up and put his hand on his brothers shoulder. "You did well. Only one run over four innings."

Kyle glared up at him. "Don't give me that crap. One run. Three hits. Two walks. You know Dave will do better today. Just let me have this at bat to redeem myself." Kyle no longer had the air of the calm twin. With this attitude and his identical looks, he could be Dave and I wouldn't be surprised. "Don't pretend that you wouldn't want to earn back a run that you gave up."

Zeke looked to Coach.

Coach sighed. "Fine. Get out there. If you come back without scoring, don't be surprised if you have twenty laps waiting for you tomorrow."

Kyle grinned and headed back out; he walked past Kelvin who was already in the on deck circle.