The Hitting Zone

I couldn't even try to understand the pitcher position. I could barely understand my own position, second base. Honestly, I wish I had a stronger throw so I could just play in the outfield. It seemed like they didn't have much to worry about. Maybe I could talk to devil Drew about making my arm stronger.

Garret led us off to start the bottom of the fifth inning. The pitcher had already changed and was able to throw some practice pitches off the mound. Right away, you could tell he was excited as he came at Garret with a fastball down the middle. What a dummy. Garret wasn't like other pitchers who couldn't hit. Noah told me that before, and Garret has definitely proven it.

He didn't let us down. He brought his aluminum bat forward with a 'swoosh' and sent the ball back the way it came. Just higher and farther. It soared over the center fielders glove as he jumped at the fence. Home run! Another solo shot for Garret!

Instead of showing off like last time, he diligently ran around, tagging all the bases and hustled back to the dugout. 6-4. We still have work to do.

Julian and Jordan both carried the momentum into their at bats by hitting a pair of singles. Daniel slowed it down by hitting a grounder right to the third baseman. The third baseman was able to tag third base for the force-out and throw to his first baseman to make it a double play, only leaving Jordan, who had safely made it to second base.

Surprisingly, Tony, who wasn't really a good hitter, was able to smack out a single of his own, moving Jordan to third base. By this time, Noah and I both got ready for our at bats.

As he moved to the on deck circle, the other team's Coach came out to have another pitcher change, making Sean wait outside the batter's box.

Noah shuffled back to the edge of the dugout, where I was standing. "Bummer. I wanted a hit too."

My lips twitched. "You can still get one. Who's to say that this pitcher will be better than the last?"

Noah nodded and smiled proudly at me. "Right! Now you're thinking properly!"

I didn't know there was a wrong way to think? Or maybe he's talking about his 'universe' again.

The pitcher had warmed up in the bullpen, but the umpire still allowed for him to throw a few more pitches off the mound before resuming the game. It didn't help him any as he walked Sean on four straight balls, loading up the bases.

Noah gave me a little nod before stepping towards the box. I slowly moved to the on deck circle. I really didn't like when there were already two outs and Noah is up to bat. Not because I don't have faith in him, but because I'm afraid for him. I don't like seeing him getting the final out of an inning because I know he'll be upset with himself.

Noah faced the pitcher with determination. The Redwood pitcher continued with a couple of more balls, pushing the count to 2-0. Noah evened it up by fouling a few all over the place. On the eighth pitch, he finally got a solid connection, sending the ball to left field. Almost right to the left fielder though; he lazily stuck up his glove and presumably caught the ball. Only for it to bounce out and hit the grass. An error. A fielding error!

Jordan peacefully jogged home. Tony sprinted from second to third, acting like he would try for home plate, but Mr. Miller gave him and everyone else for that matter, to stop. Noah's hit was too shallow so the left fielder had already recovered and threw the ball in right to their pitcher. 6-5. One more run to tie it, and two more to give us the lead.

I walked around and got into my lefty's box after the play had officially died. This pitcher didn't even pose a challenge to me. Whatever he had, I could hit. The real problem was the fielders. I needed to hit it out of their reach. I glanced around the field as a pitch passed by for ball one. The infielders didn't play to close to any of the bags since there were already two outs. It'd be a little hard to squeeze a grounder in.

As for the outfield, they seemed to be a little more shifted to the right. Which kind of makes sense. My hit last at bat was to right field. And the at bat before that was a fly out to right field. I smiled just as a pitch crossed the plate for a called strike one. With them shifted like that, the third baseline would be a perfect spot to aim for. I just have to get it passed the third baseman.

On the next pitch, I tried my luck and used as much effort as possible to lift the ball and send it where I wanted it to go. I watched in amusement as the third baseman tried to jump but came down empty handed. Then everyone started to run. My teammates on the bases tried to run home, the left fielder ran to the ball bouncing to the corner of the field, and I sprinted as fast as I could.

All three made it home. The ball made it to the infield. And I made it to second base without needing to slide. Making the score 8-6, for us!