The Hitting Zone

1 2B Jake Atkins

2 CF Garret Knudsen

3 1B Sean Isner

4 3B Jason Morris

5 LF Korrey Alvarrez

6 C Mitchell Torres

7 P Kyle Atkins

8 RF Tanner Erickson

9 SS Noah Atkins

Coach had announced the lineup before warmups, but everyone stayed focused, not bothered by who got the start and who didn't. Coach was fair. He did what he could to help us win.

I was only worried about Noah batting at the end of the lineup.

Turns out, he was fine with it. He was grinning as I pulled my helmet on. "You get out there and show them who's boss." He pulled out the batting gloves stuffed in my side pocket. "Don't forget these."

I sighed and tugged them on.

"Keep those hands protected." Noah looked out to the field where University Prep was being introduced as they took their positions. "I think you should attack early, catch them off guard."

I nodded. "Coach and I discussed. I should aim for the corners early on to get the first run on the board."

Noah laughed and slapped me happily. "Alright. I like how confident you sound and how awake you are."

I nodded again. The sun was finally up too, burning away some of the marine layer. I grabbed my bat and headed for the dugout entrance. Garret was already outside the dugout, swinging his bat lightly. I nodded at him and he nodded at me. No more words were needed. We had a clear goal of scoring early. If my hit doesn't make it over, I knew I could make it to second base at the minimum. It would then be up to Garret to drive me home.

"NOW BATTING, NUMBER ZERO, JAKE ATKINS." The announcement was made as the umpire waved at me to come to the plate.

"Let's go, Jake!"

"Get 'em!"

"You've got this kid!"

Cheers came from my own dugout and from the stands. I strained to hear Mom or Dad, but couldn't. Before stepping in the batter's box, I glanced back to the bleachers directly behind home plate.

"We're here, Jake!" A deep voice seemed to speak over the crowd. I zone in on it, finding Zeke between Mom and Dad.

I relaxed and smiled a little. I stepped into the lefty's box and pulled my bat back, ready to face this guy. The first pitch came in and fast. Really fast. I stepped back.

"Strike!" The umpire declared, drawing cheers from the University Prep fans.

"Stay calm, Bambi!" A yell came from the bullpen.

My lips twitched. It was Dave. If he was closer, I would tell him I wasn't scared. I was a little surprised by how fast this guy was. Easily faster than Garret and the twins. Somewhere in the mid-90s. But that's okay. I could still get it.

Since he went a little inside on the first pitch, it's reasonable to guess that he'll go outside on the next. I got set once more, trying not to give away what I was looking for.

The pitcher was set too. He did his full windup and once the ball left his fingertips, I was committed to swing. Sure enough, his pitch was trailing towards the other end of the strike zone. I hit the ball with the barrel of my bat, blasting it the opposite direction. It was flying down the left field line and I was running to the other. I rounded first and saw the closest umpire waving his finger around. Everyone started to yell my name. Jake, kid, Bambi. All of the cheers were for me. I rounded the bases, slapping hands with Mr. Miller after tagging third. I stepped on home plate and Garret handed me my bat.

He slapped me on top of my helmet and gave it a shake. "That's the way! Great hit! Nice job!"

Sean slapped my back as I passed him.

Inside the dugout, it only got more crowded as all the guys wanted to congratulate me.

Noah was quick to save me, gesturing for everyone to keep their distance. "Okay, okay. Let Noah have his space. He just did what he normally does. Why are you guys going all crazy?"

Kyle pulled me into a headlock and slapped me on the helmet a couple of times. "That's the kind of insurance I need before I get on the mound. You showed them real quick that we aren't the same team they mercy-ruled last year."

Just as I got back to my spot on the bench, I heard the 'ding' of the bat and the gasps of the crowd. I whipped my head towards the field and scanned to find the ball. The left fielder was sprinting in, then he laid out and dove for the baseball, catching it just before hitting the grass.

A mix of sighs and cheers echoed from the crowd. Our dugout sighed for only a second before clapping for Garret.

"We're putting it into play, boys." Coach announced. "Don't get impatient."

I took off my gear and put my hat on.

Sean and Jason came up empty-handed. Sean went down swinging, struggling with the speed. Jason connected early, but it was just a routine grounder to their shortstop.

"Man, he was fast-fast." Jason sighed as he took his helmet off. "Where do they find these guys?"

"At least you touched the ball." Sean said.

"They recruit them." Garret pointed out, answering Jason's question. "They're a private school, paying for good players." He patted Jason's shoulder and headed out first. "Let's take the field!"

The rest of us hurried out as well. Well, most of us. Kyle strolled out while Mitchell jogged go home plate. He squatted down as Kyle walked onto the mound. The pair started to do their own warmup.

Sean threw me and Noah some grounders, and then to Jason once he came out. The umpire gave us two minutes before the first batter for University Prep was announced.

Kyle got set on the mound and the batter stepped into the righty's box. Kyle threw a fastball, high and inside forcing the batter to back up.

"Ball." The umpire declared.

Kyle glanced my way as he got settled on the mound in between pitches. He gave a small nod. I resisted the urge to shake my head. This guy...messing around on the first pitch. I knew he did it intentionally like how I had to back off my first pitch. I appreciate the thought, but I really hated the idea of retaliation. No matter how small.

Thankfully, Kyle got serious and threw the next pitch for a called strike. Third pitch, the batter swung and fouled it back. Strike two. Fourth pitch, Kyle threw a ball away from the plate, getting the guy to chase it. Swing and miss for a strikeout.

Kyle didn't give an inch in the next showdown. No free pass. That guy went down swinging too. Our fans in the stand clapped and shouted out compliments for Kyle.

"Two outs! One to go!" Noah called out.

"Two outs! One to go!" The guys on the field echoed.

The third batter connected on Kyle's first pitch to him, hitting a line drive up the middle. Garret sprinted in, slid, and caught the ball before it hit the grass. He jumped up and waved his glove.

"Out!"

A clean first inning for Kyle!