The Hitting Zone

I didn't have time to eavesdrop or see what was going on. The bottom of the fifth started with Noah so I had to hurry to the on deck circle. My hurrying was insignificant though. The coach for the other team came out to tell the umpire of a pitching change so we had time.

Noah backed off the plate and sauntered back my way. He didn't say anything to me, and just watched the new pitcher throw some practice pitches off the mound. Noah was solely concentrating on him. I don't know if it helped, but Noah was able to make contact on the first pitch, a high fastball. Noah had changed his swing and pulled the ball to left field.

He started to run to first as the left fielder sprinted to get under the ball. The left fielder made the catch and Noah was out. Tsk. Great contact.

Noah jogged back to the dugout and I moved to the batter's box. The catcher stood standing, not squatting behind home plate. My eye twitched.

The pitcher threw a ball way outside for an intentional ball one. Sure enough...

I held back my sigh and tried to pump myself up. A free base. It's still good for the team. I dropped my bat and jogged to first base. Coach Luis nodded at me.

The new pitcher on the mound faced Jesse next, and was able to get him to strike out, swinging. Unexpectedly, Garret struck out in a similar fashion to end the inning. Garret only had a sacrifice fly from the first inning and that was it. No hits for him today.

Top of the sixth, Coach let Kyle go back out on the mound. Whatever they talked about must not have too much of an impact on whether Kyle gets to keep pitching, because Coach didn't even step out after Kyle gave up a single to start off the inning.

The next batter hit a hard grounder between me and Sean. Sean reached it first, diving in the dirt. He jumped to his feet and threw the way he was facing: to Noah at second base.

"Out."

Noah threw to Kyle, who went to cover first.

"Safe."

Another failed attempt at a double play. At least this time was too close to call. Kyle went back to the mound and the batter got to stay on first.

Sean paused by me as we were going back to our positions. "My bad. I should have let you gotten that."

I shrugged. "I don't think I can do any better than what you did. I would have probably just thrown to you at first." The runner had a good lead and I was facing the wrong way.

Sean went to first base to hold the runner there while I moved back to the grass so I could cut off more angles.

Kyle was facing the eighth batter in the lineup, who has struck out twice. And that's probably why we let our guards down. On the very first pitch, the runner on first base took off.

I sprinted to second base to cover the bag. Mitchell threw the ball to me as the player slid in. I held the tag as the player rammed into my ankle.

"Safe." The umpire declared.

I glanced at the old man as I walked away from the collision. I had a small limp thanks to the player hitting into my ankle.

Noah came over. "You good?"

I shook my foot. "Yea. Just got me good." I lowered my voice. "Is this ump blind or what?"

Noah pursed his lips and whispered back. "Don't think too much about it. At least he's not making the calls at home plate." He took the ball out of my glove and threw it to Kyle, who stepped off the rubber. "He's fine."

Kyle nodded and got back into position. As did we.

Kyle continued his face off with the eighth batter, who ultimately hit a grounder to Noah at short. Noah checked the runner on second before throwing to Sean at first. The runner at second base stayed where he was.

Two outs.

The ninth batter was formally the pitcher, who had two singles, but now it was someone new. A pinch hitter. He blasted a ball to center field. Garret went back to the warning track and made a great catch to save our lead.

We jogged back to the dugout. Coach pulled me aside as soon as I got in. "Hurt?"

"Only hurt for a second." I kicked out my foot and shook it for him to see. "Probably going to bruise."

Coach frowned. "Let me see."

We went to the bench and sat down. Coach checked my movements before pulling the sock down to take a look. Drew wasn't here so Coach had to examine me himself or go get the tournament trainer.

Coach looked me in the eye. "What do you think? Can you stay in the game? I don't want to pull my best batter in such a close game."

"It's okay, really." I told him, pulling my sock back up.

Coach gave me a small nod. "Alright. Don't forget to ice it after the game."

Bottom of the sixth, Jason grounded out to the first baseman. Korrey hit a single, but was stranded there because Mitchell hit a fly ball to center and Kyle struck out swinging. Since Coach let Kyle bat, he had the intention to let Kyle finish out this game.

Top of the seventh and top of their batting order. Kyle still had the speed. He struck out the first batter, getting him to swing and miss at a high fastball. The next guy up singled to left field, but it was okay. Kyle struck out the third batter and then jammed the cleanup hitter to hit a pop fly to Noah.

We won. I sighed with relief. 3-2. Closer than the first two games. Also the first time this tournament that we've given up runs.

We high-fived and fist-bumped one another until Coach called us over.

"Great game, boys." Coach nodded as he looked around. "You guys really pulled through when it mattered." He looked directly at Kyle. "Especially you. Giving up hits is part of the game, but as long as you keep your cool, you can get out of it. I'm satisfied with the result."

"But..?" Noah prompted.

Coach grinned. "But, I see a lot of practice in our future. This tournament was a great way to see some holes in our playing. Both defensively and offensively." He looked at me. "Ice the ankle and make sure to keep it elevated so it doesn't swell."

"I need ice too." Kyle bumped me. "Let's go together."

"I'll send out a mass text for the team once we find out about tomorrow's game." Coach said as we started to break up and pack up.

"I'll take the bags." Noah told me and Kyle. "You two don't have to drag them around. Just go get your ice and I'll catch up with Mom and Dad."

Kyle grinned and patted Noah on the shoulder. "So obedient today."

Noah swatted his hand away. "I can't say I would do this if you had lost the game with your control issues."

Kyle lost his smile real quick and rolled his eyes. "Brat." He threw his arm around my shoulders. "Let's go Jake."