The Hitting Zone

Garret was up next. He wasn't spectacular today like other times where he would shine the brightest. Instead, he was scraping by on the mound and struggling at the plate. Even with the change in pitchers, he ended up flying out to center field. I wasn't confident enough to tag up and advance a base like some of the faster players would have done.

With one out, and me on second, I was excited to see Zeke up next. This is it! This is where we take the lead! Zeke stepped into the batter's box, yet the catcher stood up. Then to my dismay, he stretched out his hand away from Zeke...calling for an intentional ball.

I started to stress. What to do? I looked towards Mr. Miller for help or assistance, but all he could do was stand there and watch. It's not like he could tell the pitcher to face Zeke head on.

After four pitches, Zeke was granted a walk. He tossed his bat to our dugout and jogged down the line to first base as Julian stepped up. He looked down the third baseline to check with Mr. Miller.

Seeing him do that, I looked as well. Mr. Miller only faced Julian as he did some hand motions: a tap on the chest, on the head, sliding a hand down his arm, tapping his hip. It took me a minute to decipher, then my heart started to pound in my chest.

Keep calm, keep calm; don't give anything anyway.

I watched as Julian acknowledged the signs by tipping his helmet to Mr. Miller, then he got ready in the batter's box. The pitcher nodded at his catcher's signs before checking on me and Zeke.

Once I saw him face Julian again, I started to inch off the bag. I tried my best to channel my 'inner-Noah' but the fear of baserunning still had me scared stiff. Especially, with Mr. Miller calling for a hit-and-run on the first pitch.

My hands were drenched with sweat. I peeked at the second baseman and the shortstop, trying to measure out the best lead I could get. As soon as the pitcher releases the ball, I'll have to take off.

The pitcher glanced back at me again. I froze. He turned back to Julian and started his motion, skipping a complete windup. As soon as I saw him release the ball, I took off. I pumped my arms and dig my feet in with every step. Then I heard a solid 'ding!' Please don't be a double play ball. I lifted my head to look at Mr. Miller for help. He was waving me on aggressively, using his arm to make a windmill motion. He wants me to go home!

As I tagged third, the crowd was roaring. It felt like everyone was yelling: players, coaches, fans, and families. I pushed myself a little harder.

"Down!"

"Go down!"

"Slide!"

"Jake!"

Everyone was screaming all at once.

My eyes focused on the catcher blocking the plate. Mahki was just a few feet to the side. "It's going over! Go inside! Slide inside!" As he yelled, the catcher was jumping up for the ball. Seeing the opening, I slid in, hands and head first, for home plate. My hands scraped across the dirt before sliding over the plate. I definitely beat the tag!

I only felt a half second of relief before the catcher came crashing down on me. "Ah!" I let out a yelp when I felt a sharp pain in my forearm.

Gasps and grunts could be heard, mixed in the cheers.

I tried my best to roll away from the catcher, struggling to catch my breath from all that running.

"Jake!"

"Jake!"

"Jake!"

So many people were yelling my name. But it wasn't the homecoming I was looking for. I was surrounded my worried, familiar faces. Noah was there first. Then Mahki, Coach, Drew, Mr. Miller and an umpire.

I gave a small smile. "I'm okay, we're in the lead again."

Craziness ensued as Coach turned to the umpire and started yelling. "That was a dangerous play by the catcher! What did he think would happen by jumping on my player?! Is he purposely trying to take him out of the game?!"

All I felt was confusion. What? What's happening?

"Jake." Drew called out to me calmly, holding out a small towel. "Give me your arm." He stretched out and covered my right arm, but the blood started to seep through, turning the towel red. "Let's go sit down so I can examine you."

Numb by all the red, I gave a nod. Drew walked beside me, leading me back to our dugout very slowly. Noah hovered on my other side, not speaking a word. Mahki stayed near Coach as he ripped into the umpire.

"Jake! Are you okay??" Garret jumped up to ask when we got back.

"Why is there so much blood? Did he tear an artery?? Geez!" Kyle exclaimed.

All their excitement started to make me dizzy.

"Back up. All of you!" Drew commanded. The team listened and gave us space. Drew had me sit down near his medical bag. "Jake? You said you were okay. Are you in any pain?"

I shook my head. "I felt some pain when he came down, but now it just aches."

"Should I go get my parents?" Noah asked from the side in a small voice.

"Yes." Drew nodded. "This will definitely require a hospital visit." Noah bolted out of here like he was stealing a base. Drew looked at me. "Can you move your wrist? In a circular motion?" I complied. "Does that hurt?"

I shrugged. "Kind of. But it's not broken. I think I just lost a chunk of skin."

Drew frowned. "We can't be sure if it's broken or not. You'll need x-rays. But first, let's stop the bleeding." Drew went to work on my right arm.

I looked around. I wasn't worried about my arm. I've had worse. As for it being broken...I know what a broken bone feels like, especially a broken arm. This was just a cut. The team was glancing at me with obvious worry so I tried giving them a smile and a nod. Some of them relaxed.

Coach came back from yelling at the umpire just as Noah arrived with Mr. Atkins. "Wayne."

Mr. Atkins nodded at him before coming to sit beside me. "Jake, are you okay?"

I nodded. "It's a cut."

"He'll need stitches." Drew said solemnly. He finished cleaning the wound, wrapping it up with bandages, before wrapping the whole arm. "X-rays to be sure of no fractures."

"Yes. Right." Mr. Atkins nodded. "Let's get moving."

I frowned. "But the game's not over yet."

Mr. Atkins looked like he was the one in pain. "It doesn't matter. You need to go see the doctor. Probably the emergency room so they can see you quicker."

I looked around to see everyone's concern faces. I felt my eyes sting. It didn't hurt enough to make me cry, but seeing how much these people cared for me, made me feel touched beyond belief. I didn't think it was a big deal. "It's almost over. Let's go after."

Mr. Atkins looked to Drew. Drew shared a look with Coach before sighing. "Okay, but right after the game you have to go. I don't feel comfortable letting you stay for too long when I know you need medical attention."

The team let out a collective groan. Mahki grounded into a double play, ending our offense.

"There's only half an inning left." I looked to Noah, who hasn't said much. "We win, and I'll go."

Noah swallowed visibly before nodded. He sprinted to our bags and pulled out his glove. He then sprinted to the field.

Coach sighed. "You'll go no matter what, after this inning. That's all I can comprise to."

I nodded.

Coach looked down the dugout. "Sean! Take second base." He glanced at Garret. "You stay and rest. Bryce will finish this." He walked out to tell the umpire the player changes.

The dugout was full of movement, a lot of the team leaving to take their position for the bottom half of the inning. It's been a long time since I had to stay in the dugout when I'm supposed to be on the field.

"Are you okay?" Zeke stopped by before leaving again. I nodded. Zeke nodded back, then left for center field.

"I'll start packing up your stuff for you." Mr. Atkins got up and walked towards my spot. Kyle joined him on the other end, talking.

Coach came back and stood at the gate with the other coaches, watching the game with intensity. This was a deciding game after all. Winner would be league champions. The winner would get to go to CIF.

Bryce was paired with Mitchell. Two sophomores. They had some kind of chemistry, not looking like complete strangers. Bryce started with batter four, cleanup. He crushed the ball down the right field line, but it was going foul. That didn't stop Tanner from racing to it and making the catch for the first out.

Batter's five and six, both, hit grounders towards Sean at second. Somewhere I would have been... Sean fielded them with ease, not looking like a reserve player at all.

After the final out was called, the game ended: 6-5, Watsonville. Us. We did it! The team all raced to the mound to celebrate with Bryce. All but one. Noah raced to me.

His eyes shined bright. "Jake! We did it! We won!"

I nodded, happy to see him happy. To see the whole team happy. I was about to jump up to celebrate, but Mr. Atkins was quick to prevent me from doing so.

"Don't hop around. Let's get you checked at the doctors first." Mr. Atkins helped me get up.

"Take me too!" Noah said.

Mr. Atkins shook his head. "No. Stay with your brothers and your team. When you guys get back to the school, text me and then we'll decide if you guys can come join us or just meet at the house."

"Ughhh." Noah's happiness disappeared and turned into annoyance.

Using my left hand, I patted his shoulder. "I'm okay. Really." I looked at our team, still bouncing around the mound. The players from our bullpen had joined in too. "Go celebrate for the both of us. You played great today, Noah."

Noah turned red. "Fine. You better remind dad to text us updates."

I nodded.

Mr. Atkins picked up my bag and started to lead me away.