The Hitting Zone

"Don't be lying to him." Sean came over and sat on the other side of Jason. "The San Francisco Giants are just as popular around here. Both stadiums are about an hour and a half away from here. They're super close together. In fact, when they play one another at either stadium, it's called 'the bay bridge series' or better yet, 'battle of the bay'. Because they're both in the Bay Area and connected by a bridge."

I nodded, understanding that it was a popular rivalry.

"The A's have a better record against the Giants though so it's best if you just stick with me." Noah claimed.

"Remind me again who has won more World Series this last decade?" Sean cut in. "Oh yea, that would be the Giants: 2014, 2012, and 2010. The last time the A's won was 1989."

The sound of a bat hitting a ball paused the conversation as all our eyes drifted to the field. Mahki hit a line drive between right and center field and took off sprinting. He rounded first and sped up as he saw the center fielder pick up the ball near the outfield fence. The player fired the ball straight to the shortstop who was covering second. Mahki started his slide as the tag by the shortstop came down for his foot. The dirt kicked up making it hard to see. Jason and Sean both jumped up and got up close with the dugout fence as if that would make it clearer.

The second base umpire lifted a hand and pumped his fist. "Out!" His declaration was followed by groans from our dugout and stands. Mahki got up and jogged back to the dugout, head hung low. As soon as he walked in, Zeke pulled him aside and they shared a private conversation.

Garret stepped up to bat, Julian went to the on deck circle, and Jordan stood in the hole. Garret came out swinging at anything and everything. He fouled a few line drives down the third baseline as if he was releasing some inner anger.

I glanced at Noah, who was still sitting beside me. "What did you say to him on the mound?"

Noah gave a lopsided grin. "That if he didn't get his act together, I was going to demand that coach take him out."

My jaw dropped. "Can you do that?"

"Of course I can't. And Garret knows it. But it got my point across that he was sucking." He focused on Garret's at bat.

Garret only had a 1-2 count, but he fouled off at least five pitches, making the pitcher impatient. The pitcher made a mistake by throwing a curveball on his next pitch. As a lefty, Garret had an advantage with a righty's curve. It came from out to in the strike zone. He didn't waste the opportunity and smashed the ball to left field. He casually tossed his bat towards our dugout and started to jog the bases.

The left fielder didn't even attempt to go back to the fence for the long fly. It easily soared over the fence, clearing the six foot fence by an extra ten to fifteen feet. A monster of a home run! Garret tied up the game, 3-3. He returned to a lively dugout that praised him for his hit.

The pitcher looked a little shaken as he pitched to Julian, and ended up walking him. It didn't mean anything though since Jordan came up and hit a grounder right to the shortstop. The shortstop fielded the ball, threw to the second baseman, who touched his bag before Julian could get there. In a fluid motion he threw a perfect ball to his first baseman, getting Jordan. A 6-4-3 double play.

"Do you think I could be that smooth in turning a double play?" I asked Noah as we took the field with our gloves on.

"What are you talking about?!" Noah dragged me in a headlock. "Of course! You've been smooth before! Plus, we did something even better defending Kyle's perfect game! Sure, it wasn't a double play but it was a close one. You just need more practice." He let go of me and we parted ways to get in our two different spots.

Top of the fourth inning and Garret would start at the bottom of the lineup. He started strong, striking out the seventh batter. Then he started to repeat last inning. A walk. Then a single.

With two on and one out, the lead off hitter came up to the plate. He had previously hit two fly balls to right field for outs, but his third at bat didn't go the same way. This time he pulled his hit, sending it to left field. The ball bounced on the warning track before hitting the fence just between Tony and Mahki. Noah moved out and I moved closer to second. Mahki called Tony off so he could field the ball and throw it in with his stronger arm. I took note of the runner on first who had already past me, and didn't look to be slowing down while heading to third.

"Runner going home!" I told Noah as clear as I could. The runner on second had already scored and the other runner was moving. The batter definitely got a double.

Mahki's throw came in, Noah received and threw to Jordan at home. The runner had already started his slide and it looked to be close. The batter remained at second and everyone waited for the call.

The head umpire extended his arms, "Safe!"

The player who had just scored jumped up and went to his dugout to celebrate. The game was no longer tied...we were now down by two. Damn it. I sighed to myself. So much for home field advantage. Nothing's been going our way. I moved back to my spot and Garret got a new ball.

"One batter at a time, Gare!" Noah clapped, finally talking to him aloud. "Stay focused."

Other teammates shared the same sentiments as the second batter in the lineup stepped in. Garret looked tensed, and nowhere near the laidback guy he usually is. The second batter sent a long fly to center field but Mahki was there to make the catch. The runner on second tagged up and sprinted to third as Mahki threw to Noah who stood on the edge of the grass and dirt. Noah turned and relayed the throw to Daniel at third. He made the tag but not in time. Safe at third.

The third batter stepped in with two outs and a runner on third. He was already 2-2 on the day with three RBI's and a run scored. He didn't stop there. He sent one of Garret's fastballs to the outfield for a stand up double, driving in another run. 6-3.

I shook my head, not knowing what to do or say.

"Stop looking so wimpy!" A familiar yell came from our very own bullpen.

"Yea! I could do better than that!" A similar voice echoed.

"Don't listen to those fools." Noah rolled his eyes and told Garret. "They're just getting antsy. Come on now. Put them in their place."

Garret nodded and faced the Redwood High cleanup hitter.

I wonder who Noah wanted Garret to put in their place. Was it the other team? Or the vocal twins in the bullpen? Maybe both.

Garret followed through and did his job, getting only his third strikeout of the game, but finally ending their offense for now. As a team, we jogged back to the dugout, no one looking more depressed than Garret himself. This was one of his worst outings that I've ever seen. He didn't even do this poorly against a powerhouse like Sunset Prep over the weekend.