The Hitting Zone

To say I was ready for the extra work we were putting in, would be a gross understatement. By the end of the first week, there wasn't a muscle that didn't hurt. I took an ice bath Friday night, starting off the weekend with a lowlight.

Unsurprisingly, Noah was the complete opposite. He was hyped. Even catching bullpen sessions for Dave and Kyle when we were home didn't bother him any. He was like the energizer bunny that just keeps going and going. Sure, he complains about aching and sore muscles, but he continuously pushed through. On the field and in the gym, I was still somehow chasing after him. He was even getting better in the batting cages after practicing with me so much.

He and the twins could joke that I was like Zeke all they want, but I knew it was only when it came to my performance at the plate. Noah's drive and passion was the most like Zeke. I don't know what Zeke was like his sophomore year, but I can't see Noah being too far off.

He felt even closer the following Monday when Coach held a small meeting before practice.

"I know some of you have been waiting to hear my pick for captain." Coach addressed us as we sat in the dugout. Everyone stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. "Y'all are a great group of boys that don't need to be told twice to get to warming up. Garret does a great job leading and keeping everyone's focused."

All eyes shifted to Garret, yet his eyes stayed on Coach.

"I've talked to Garret about being captain." Coach looked to him. "Garret, do you want to take over from here?"

Garret nodded and stood up. He got up near Coach and faced us. "I'm honored to be acknowledged by Coach as a leader of this team. However, as a pitcher, I don't think I can lead the team well during games. Now you might think, you're an outfielder too. Yes, but I think there's a difference between leading in practices and leading in games. That's why I'm proposing we have a vice captain this year. Someone who is on the field every game and holds the best qualities of a captain like being positive, leading by example, and who genuinely cares about the team."

"Who do you propose?" Bryce asked.

"I nominate Noah." Garret looked our way, staring right at Noah.

Noah froze. Then he jumped up. "I'll do it!"

"He's got my vote." Sean spoke up.

I nodded in agreement.

"I know it's a bit improper of me to take the position of captain and then pick my own vice captain." Garret said. "So if any of you disagree, just say the word. I'll put this team first no matter what."

I looked up and down the bench to see if anyone was going to speak against it. My eyes lingered on fellow sophomore Marshel Butler. He was frowning, but didn't disagree outright.

"Can I ask what being a vice captain entails?" Kyle asked. "I don't think I can handle Noah telling me to run laps every day."

The team all seemed to laugh together. I grinned too. I don't think Noah would even let me off, let alone the twins.

Garret shook his head. "No laps. I'm not Zeke and neither is Noah. We'll let Coach be in charge of disciplinary actions. Basically, Noah would only lead warmups if I'm not here for practice or maybe on game days when I pitch. As a starter in the infield, he's in a good spot to keep everyone level-headed. I know personally, being on the mound, there's no one else I would rather have behind me."

Noah grinned, turning red in the cheeks.

"I think he controls the atmosphere very well." Dave spoke up. "Especially in games."

"I agree."

"Me too."

"It makes sense. A lot of shortstops are considered captains."

"Yea, they control the tempo of the infield."

Our teammates voiced their support for Noah to be second in charge. I grinned happily, knowing that the only person giving out laps is Coach.

Coach clapped his hands twice to signal for silence. The team complied. "Alright. There you have it. Garret has the lead. Noah will be the support especially on game days. You can go to either of them if you have trouble and want a peer to hear you out."

He soon let Garret take us out for warmups. The team was a bit hyped with the news of a captain and a vice captain. I felt that it was only natural. Garret was the best player on the team and Noah was...well he was Noah.

I wanted to congratulate him and talk about it, but saw that he was completely focused on warming up. We still threw the ball with one another and then we divided into our groups and went to the determined station. Unfortunately we got infield practice with Coach so there was still no time to talk to Noah.

After practice, Coach asked Noah and Garret to hang back for a short chat. That left me with following the twins back to the car.

"I'm going to send Mom and Dad a text." Dave said after putting his bag in the car and pulling out his phone. "They'll probably want to celebrate this, yea?"

"Definitely." Kyle nodded. He pulled out his phone. "I'll text Zeke. Noah would be happy to receive a call or text from him."

I pulled out my phone so I wouldn't feel left out. Who could I text? Jeremy? He might not care though. Well, it wouldn't hurt.

<strong>Me: Guess what? </strong>

<strong>Jeremy: What's up?

Me: Noah was deemed vice captain!

Jeremy: That's awesome! Should we celebrate this weekend? I'll call Wayne to see if he'll let me treat you guys to some fun. </strong>

Jeremy had asked for my opinion, but quickly skipped over how I would answer. Maybe it was rhetorical.

Noah came to the car after we had finished with our texts and were talking about our upcoming calculus test. He buckled in and relaxed in his seat, a little quiet.

"What did Coach have to say?" Dave glanced back at him.

"We spoke a little about what he expects from us as leaders of the team." Noah's lips twitched. "Specifically, I shouldn't be starting any fights with my teammates or anyone else in the baseball program for that matter."

I thought about last year's hiccup with Austin.

So did the twins. They both scoffed in unison.

"I told Coach that I would let bygones be bygones. They don't look for me and I won't look for them." Noah continued. "Coach wasn't exactly satisfied with that answer. He said he wanted me to come to him the first sign of trouble. No matter how minuscule. I told him fine, but I have a bottom line."

"What? Bashing on your fielding?" Kyle joked as he drove us home.

"No." Noah glanced at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Jake is your bottom line?" Dave figured it out first. Noah nodded. "That makes sense. I find that acceptable too. If someone lays his hand on Jake or goes at him, then let's fight it out."

Kyle laughed and joked some more. "I bet Coach would love that."

I smiled, happy to have a family like the Atkins. I don't like to entertain the thought of fighting or getting hurt, but it wasn't exactly a secret that my mentality was a little sensitive. I'm sure if anyone said anything mean to me, Noah would take over in a heartbeat. But I also think that's another good trait for a captain to have. Loyalty. And a sense of justice. There has to be integrity.