The Hitting Zone

Before practice on Monday, Coach gathered us for another meeting on the field. "Today, we're going to have some fun."

"A scrimmage?"

"Batting cages?"

"Pitching contest?"

Ideas were thrown out by the players on the team.

Coach grinned. "How about a little bit of everything?"

"Uh, do we get to pick...?" I spoke up, having a funny feeling that I already knew the answer.

Coach gave a small shake of his head. "Nope. I've already got it planned out." The guys quieted down. "Dave and Kyle, grab your bags and head up to the JV field."

"Whattt?" Dave asked, confused. "Are we being dropped?"

"No, you're both going to pitch in their scrimmage." Coach answered. "Tyler and Matt, you guys go too." He sent the four pitchers away and moved on. "Garret, Sean, Tanner, and Korrey. You four go to the cages. Brian and Mitchell, go with Coach Luis to have a light simulation in the bullpen. You'll have the mound on Wednesday."

"Wait." Kyle stood up. "We have to pitch against JV players while Brian gets to do a real game? Are we getting punished?"

"Keep talking and you might be." Coach said. He looked around. "I know you're all curious as to what we're trying to do here. To win games, we need to do more than just let the good players start. Everyone on the roster has to be able to be a game-changer at any moment. To establish a legacy, we need to ensure the underclassmen can carry on once the seniors graduate. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"You think we're great, and you want the program to continue to be great when we're gone." Garret said, taking a stand.

Coach nodded. "I'm thinking from here on out, if I don't expect to use our big three, I want you guys to get work in against JV. Expose them to high-caliber pitching while keeping you guys game ready."

"Are we doing this all season?" Dave asked.

"I hope to do so, but of course it'll depend on our schedule. This week we only have one midweek game, then a Saturday game. Brian gets to go first. Bryce will have Saturday." Coach held up his hand to Dave to stop him from protesting. "Both games aren't league games. Good opportunity to get the guys a chance on the mound. Get the bullpen some real work."

"Might as well. They won't be needed during my starts." Kyle said confidently.

"It'll be embarrassing the day you do need us." Tyler laughed.

Kyle stood proudly, crossing his arms across his chest to make his biceps look bigger. "If you check last year's stats, I had the most innings."

"By two." Garret hid behind a cough.

"If you boys don't start moving, you'll do some running instead." Coach threatened.

The twins, Matt, and Tyler went to the dugout and grabbed their bags.

"Yo, Noah, Jake!" Dave shook the car keys. "We're taking the car up to the upper lot near the JV field. Find us afterwards." I guess he was going to drive Kyle and the two seniors up too. How convenient. For them.

I pouted while Noah waved them off.

"Coach, do you still want me to lead warmups like usual before the four of us go to the cages?" Garret asked.

"Yes. But let me finish handing out the assignments so you all know where to go after warmups." He looked to Brian. "Bullpen. Got it?"

Brian nodded.

Coach looked at Bryce. "Get a little bit of work in with Oscar, then you both will go to the cages." He looked around. "The rest of us will continue to work on hit and runs."

Joey Henderson, a junior pitcher, raised his hand. "Can I join the others at the cages? I don't know if you remember Coach, but I can also hit. I did well on JV last year."

Coach's lips twitched and it looked like he was holding back a laugh. "Don't worry, Joey, I know how good you are. If you want to hit the cages, you can do so." He looked around. "Robbie. Marshel. Do you two mind helping with hit and runs? Or do you also want to practice some hitting?"

"I don't mind." Robbie shrugged.

"I want to pitch." Marshel took a stand. "Hitting isn't really my forte and neither is practicing hit and runs."

Coach looked at him directly. "What do you suggest we do about you then?"

"I-" He stopped and looked around, noticing everyone looking at him. He scratched his cheek.

"Can I make a suggestion, Coach?" Noah asked.

Coach glanced at Noah. "Go ahead. You seem to be the only one."

"Let Marshel pitch." Noah said. Marshel looked stunned. Coach tapped a finger on his other arm. "We're working on hit and runs right? We need a pitcher. Jake can be the hitter. And I'll be the runner on first."

"It's an option." Coach looked to Marshel.

"I'll do it!" Marshel said confidently.

I slowly raised my hand. Coach nodded at me. "Uh, does that mean I should intentionally hit grounders near the infielders?"

"Coach, can I try my best to get Jake out?" Marshel asked before Coach could answer my own question.

Coach nodded at Marshel. "Yes. Do your best. We'll take Oscar from Bryce and just let Mitchell do extra bullpen work." Coach looked to me. "I'll let you hit freely for a little bit. If it's too one-sided, we'll adjust. Give Marshel opportunities to face the others."

Coach went over to pat Garret on the shoulder. "Warm them up, Captain."

"Yes!" Garret waved at all of us. "Let's go."

The rest of us joined those that were standing and headed for the outfield.

Noah jogged next to me, almost touching. I gave him a weird look. He wiggled his eyebrows. "Crush him."

I let out a small laugh.

"What?" Noah tried to act innocent. "I'm not being a bully here. He's the one that wants real pitching practice." He lowered his voice. "I think Coach wants you to give him a hard time too."

"Really?" I asked.

Noah nodded. "Coach is all about teamwork and doing what's best for the team. Marshel didn't sound like he wanted to help out. Could you imagine refusing Coach?"

I shook my head. "I didn't even know that could be an option."

"The twins like to push Coach's buttons, but look at them. Two of the best pitchers in the county going up against the JV squad." Noah said. "Coaches don't know it all, but our Coach knows best."

I nodded. I thought so too.

Garret had us spread out on the foul line and we started our warmups. Moving while stretching. Stretching with some moves in between. After jogs, half-sprints, and full sprints, we went back to the dugout for gloves and baseballs. Time to get the shoulders warmed.

After a couple of longer throws, we broke up into smaller groups, all heading our own way. Back at our bags, Noah put on his helmet and I did the same. With the addition of grabbing my bat.

Noah nudged me and gestured to the mound. "Someone is eager to face a beat down."

I looked and saw Marshel there, already throwing some practice pitches to the freshman catcher, Oscar Garcia. Oscar spent most of his time in the bullpen so we didn't interact much, but I still remember his catching for Robbie last semester. He was good at catching and placement. I wonder if Coach was going to be umpire?