The Hitting Zone

Wednesday followed the same template as the last two days. Practicing skills in the morning, scrimmaging in the afternoon. I didn't get to face the twins or Garret, but I did get to see a few returning varsity players like Tyler Larsen and Matt Dalquist. They definitely had a more steady feel to their pitching compared to the younger players. They were also much more level-headed than Joey.

Playing on the freshmen field again, I didn't get any homeruns. The outfield was way too open, and the other team would always be able to back up. Even one of my long fly balls were caught, ending my hot streak.

"He's human!" Garret claimed from the opposing dugout as I jogged back to my own dugout. Garret wasn't pitching today, but wasn't playing on the field either. They let him bat twice before benching him.

When I got back to the dugout, bat in hand, Mr. Miller benched me as well. "That was still a very nice swing. If it's any consolation, that would have been a homerun on our home field."

I nodded, understanding. On the Varsity level, there were clear boundaries of where the outfield ends. It won't be like this during the season.

Coach was very considerate, keeping me with Mr. Miller throughout the week. He would change the players around me though, making me feel like I was just like anyone else.

If I had it easy, I can only say that Noah was paying for it. Walking by one of his drills on Wednesday morning, I saw that his group was full of familiar faces. A bunch of sophomores. Most importantly, he had to play with Austin. If that wasn't enough, his team for the scrimmage had Austin too. Noah had a lot to complain about on the way home.

"He was provoking me the whole time, I tell ya." Noah grumbled at the dinner table that night. "Every good play he did, he would smirk in my direction. Every trip up that happened to me would be met with snide remarks and laughter."

"Maybe they were laughing with you, honey?" Mom gave a small smile, trying to cheer Noah up.

Noah snorted. He wasn't the only one. Kyle was also skeptical.

"Austin is a grade-A prick." Kyle told Mom. He made a face of disgust. "I would quit baseball if he was put on Varsity. That's the exact kind of player I would never want to play with."

"Kyle. Language." Dad warned him. "I know it's not easy to get along with everyone, but sometimes life gives you no choice. Are you just going to quit your job because of unfriendly coworker in the future?"

Kyle didn't hesitate. "I might. There are so many jobs to choose from. Why pick one where your coworker is an absolute jerk?"

"I would report them for harassment." Dave nodded and pointed with his fork. "I wouldn't quit. I would try and get him fired."

"That's a good idea." Kyle agreed with Dave.

Mom sighed. "Okay, okay, I understand. This boy isn't a good person."

"Far from it." Noah snorted again.

Dad tapped the table. "Have patience. And have trust in your coach. For now, do your best to not let this kid get to you boys. You can't solve your hate and anger with violence." He glanced at Kyle.

Kyle sat up straight and started stuffing his face with food.

I think Dad was hinting that he knew what Kyle had done. Kyle really got off lucky not to get in trouble with his parents. I wonder if they knew what Austin had said to piss Kyle off enough to get thrown at.

Later that night, I was cleaning the two bats I had used during the day, when Noah suddenly said aloud: "I don't think I can be captain."

I looked up from my spot on our bedroom floor. "What?"

Noah sat at our desk, tapping his fingers with rhythm. "I'm not mature enough. Zeke talks about maturity all the time. I still...I still have anger and hate towards some of the guys. I didn't think I did. But, playing with them today...I just felt so out of sync."

I held a bat in my lap, unsure of what to say.

"There were a few times where I really wanted to snap." He sighed. "I had an error during the scrimmage and I just...really wanted to throw the ball at one of their faces."

"Mm. Like Kyle." I said.

Noah laughed. "Yea, yea I guess so. Maybe we really are related."

"But you didn't do that." I pointed out.

"No, of course not. The game had to go on." He said.

I looked at him. "So...doesn't that show some maturity?"

"Hmm." He stopped tapping and sat back in his seat.

"When are captains picked?" I asked.

"I'm not sure." He answered. "Zeke was captain his junior year, so it just carried on as I was an incoming freshmen. For the JV and Freshmen teams, they don't pick until the roster is settled."

"Which is when?" I asked.

"Near the end of the fall semester. Like right after Thanksgiving." He thought about it. "I guess Coach would wait until we have a roster finalized too."

"So you have time." I smiled at him. "You've got this. I believe in you."

"Yea..." He got up. "You know what? I feel like going on a run." He moved to his dresser and started to go through his clothes.

I stared at him...already in his pjs. "Noah, it's a bit late. Why don't you go in the morning or something?"

"Good point." He frowned. He checked the time on his phone and then started to climb into his bed. "If I go to bed now, I'll be able to wake up and get going even earlier. I'll be back in time for a big breakfast." He got under the covers.

Feeling a little self-conscious, I put my bats away and got two other spares out. I placed them in my bag and turned off the light before getting into bed too.

"Do you want to go running with me in the morning?" Noah sounded excited, drawing his own ideas from me turning off the light.

"Uh, no thanks." I told him. "I just didn't want you to have to sleep with the lights on. I don't mind going to bed early, but...please let me sleep in."

I was scared he was going to be upset, but that's just not Noah.

"Sure. I'll see you at breakfast." He said. "Goodnight."

"Night."

It didn't take me long to fall asleep. Playing baseball a few hours a day really helped with my sleep. I wanted to do nothing, but sleep. When I mentioned this to Mom, she said it was due to me growing.

I was growing. That thought would help me go to bed even faster. Another reason I didn't mind going to bed early so Noah could get up early. I was trying to grow. I didn't necessarily wanted to be as tall as the Atkins, but if I could be as tall as Jeremy, then I'd be set.