The Hitting Zone

"Yea, yea." Tanner gave him a small push. "How about you go get ready for your at bat so we can get this win already?"

"Yea!" A few guys echoed.

Dave laughed and rushed to his bag. Noah and I were doing the same. Dave and Noah left the dugout together and I was right behind them in the hole.

Nearby Sean and Garret sat on the bench, talking about tomorrow. Everyone seemed to feel that we had this game wrapped up. We were going to the semifinals in one of the most elite tournaments in the state.

Garret caught me looking his way and waved for me to join them.

I shufffled my feet on over, feeling a little worried that he was going to tell me that he was hurt and wouldn't be able to play tomorrow.

"Don't look so anxious, Bambi." Garret got up and gave my back a solid pat. "I'm not fragile. Coach just wants me to take it easy. This game is as good as done."

My lips twitched. "Zeke would never say that."

"No two captains are the same." Garret said nonchalantly. "If we lose this game, then we aren't as good as we thought we were."

"Noah would say you're jinxing us." I pointed out.

Garret rolled his eyes. "You only think about your brothers."

"Hey, not to interrupt, but have some sympathy for the guy who can't play and let me at least watch." Sean waved his hand, gesturing for us to stop obstructing his view of the game.

Garret and I took a step one way.

Garret took a second to glance at Dave's at bat before looking at me again. "Hey, are you going to try for a triple?"

I was taken aback. "What? Why?"

"For the cycle of course!" Sean got excited from his seat. "You already have a single, double, and homer. A triple and you'll hit for the cycle."

I slowly shook my head. "I don't think so."

"You're already counting yourself out?" Garret asked.

I sighed. "It's not like you guys haven't seen me run before. What makes you think I can make it to third?"

"You've got decent speed." Garret remarked. "It's just your coordination that needs a little work. Come on. Give it a go."

It was my turn to roll my eyes.

Dave hit a fly ball to left field. It was caught for the first out. It saved me from talking to Garret and Sean about this cycle business. I went to the on deck circle as Noah moved to the batter's box. Noah was given free reign to swing and do whatever he wanted. He chose to swing for the fences, connecting on an early pitch and smacking a line drive to right field. The right fielder sprinted and lept for the ball, making a fantastic catch for the second out.

"Dang it." Noah muttered as he passed by me. "That one felt so good coming off the bat too."

I nodded. I knew the feeling.

When my name was announced as the next batter, there was a sudden roar from the spectators and it felt like everyone was cheering for me. Even the other team's families and friends. I nervously looked around and it truly looked like everyone was yelling for me to do something.

"You're up, kid." The umpire prompted, feeling that I was taking too long.

I got in the lefty's box and watched the pitcher get set and start his motion. I started to get the sense that hitting for a cycle was something special. Even more of an accomplishment than if you hit a couple of homers.

"Strike." The umpire called out after I let the pitch pass. The catcher threw it back to the pitcher. Everyone got set once more.

"Let's go, Jake!"

"Hit it to the fences!"

"Triple for the cycle!"

Phrases started to be more clear. Definitely all for me. No one said a word of encouragement to the pitcher.

I really don't think a triple is easy so I've got to try for the next best thing: a homerun. I tightened my grip and started my swing as soon as I decided on the pitch. I pulled it to right field this time. Cheers and gasps filled the air as I dropped my bat.

"Run!"

"With speed!"

"Start running!"

I was running alright. I just know not to be sprinting for third base.

The right fielder tracked the ball to the fence, did a needless jump, and the ball cleared the fence. A solo shot to push the score 10-3. I high fived Coach Luis and Mr. Miller. Even Dalton who had taken Garret's spot in the lineup.

In the dugout, I was greeted with even more slaps, claps, compliments and smiles.

"You wimped out!" Garret accused.

I laughed, feeling a little guilty.

"A homer is definitely not wimping out." Noah came to my defense. "He went above and beyond!" Noah threw his arm around my shoulder and saved me from Garret's complaints. "Don't let him bully you. You don't get extra points for hitting for the cycle. Zeke said that himself. He'd be happy that you picked a homer too."

I laughed.

Dalton was quick to end the hitting, hitting a fly ball to short right field. Bottom of the seventh, Dave kept the ball within the strike zone, prompting the ball to be put into play by Heritage Oak players. The second batter hit a fast one back up the middle, but Noah flashed to that dead spot and made the play to throw him out at first. The third batter struck out swinging, putting Dave's pitch count at risk. Alisha held up three fingers. That's how many pitches he had left.

Dave gritted his teeth and threw the first pitch to the cleanup hitter, right down the middle. The hitter willingly swung, made contact, and hit a hard grounder to his left. Dalton and Noah moved towards one another.

"Got it!" Noah boomed. He gloved the bouncing ball, transferred it to his right hand and threw a bullet to Jason at first. Jason caught the ball on a hop.

"Out!" Game over.

We went back to the dugout with smiles and laughs.

"Thanks for holding up." Noah told Dalton. "I know that ball should have technically been yours."

"You're the shortstop." Dalton shrugged. "That means you're in charge. Every ball can be your ball."

Noah laughed and didn't deny it.

"You really racked up the pitches today, Dave." Garret pulled Dave into a short hug, patting his head. "You made it, man."

Dave laughed and rubbed his shoulder. "Definitely the hardest workout in awhile. San Marino wasn't even this tough."

"Make sure to do a proper cool down." Coach raised his voice over the chatter. "Let's clean up and get out of here boys. We'll meet outside the field and talk about the game plan for tomorrow." He scanned the dugout and stopped at me. Then moved to Noah. "Keep a close eye on him, Noah. We don't want to repeat what happened earlier today."

"Yes, sir." Noah gave a salute.

I wiped the sweat from my eyebrow, feeling self-conscious. "It won't happen twice in one day, Coach." I was just caught off guard. And overwhelmed. Now I know my uncle wasn't here. That was enough.

Coach maintained eye contact with me for an extra beat, then nodded. "Alright then." He raised his voice. "You boys better leave this dugout in better condition than we came into." He walked out with his other coaches.