The Hitting Zone

Chapter 86 Game One: Villa Park 6

Top of the second inning. Villa Park gets to send out their core hitters, batters four, five, and six. Noah told me that three, four, and five spots were usually the best batters in every team. Just looking at our own, convinces me. Mahki got a hit, and scored a run. Zeke hit a homerun,got three RBI’s, and a run scored. And Julian hit a double.

Kyle didn’t seem nervous on the mound, at all. In fact, he looked excited. After the ump signaled for the batter to step in, Kyle looked at us fielders. "Ball will be flying!"

"Yea!" All of the fielders yelled back...except for me. Someone really should have taught me these cheers. I glanced at Noah, but he was focused on the batter. I got set as well, even though I was praying the ball wouldn’t come my way.

After a few pitches, the cleanup guy hit a line drive towards left-center, but Zeke sprinted there, slid, and snatched it before it touched the ground. Line out. He jumped back up on his feet and threw a perfect pass to Noah. Too amazing. I don’t think I could ever do that.

"One out! Play’s at first!" Kelvin hollered before squatting behind the plate. Kyle eyed down batter five, got set, and went through his motion. Unfortunately, the guy connected right away. A hard grounder between short and third. Jason dove and missed, but Noah was able to backhand it while falling into the dirt. He jumped back to his feet and fired a bullet to Julian. Julian didn’t even have to stretch out for it.

"Out!" The first base ump declared before the guy even got there.

"Two outs!" Kelvin yelled out.

I gave Noah a smile and thumbs up. He brushed a bit of the dirt off him and smiled cheerfully. No doubt, happy with that play.

The following batter put up more of a fight and fouled a couple of Kyle’s pitches before flying out to right field. "Three outs, change!" The ump declared. We jogged back to our dugout, still holding a nice 3-0 lead.

"Kelvin up to bat. Kyle on deck. Noah in the hole." Mr. Miller called out before heading to the third base coach spot. Coach Luis headed out as well.

"You might as well grab your bat and helmet too." Noah told me, while putting his helmet on. "Even if Kelvin and Kyle don’t get on base, I will." He said confidently.

I did what I was told and put my helmet on, and grabbed my bat. I followed Noah to where Coach was, standing just inside the dugout, waiting to go on the on deck circle.

Coach noticed the both of us, ready to go. "Please don’t start a comedy show this time around." He sighed.

I thought about everyone laughing at me in the first inning. Oh god. I don’t know if I wanted to go up again so soon.

Kelvin made the pitcher work, but ended up striking out. Kyle grounded out to the shortstop. Noah really knew the team’s strengths and weaknesses. He went to the batters box and I took over the on deck circle, but didn’t take any practice swings. Instead, I watched Noah’s at bat diligently, praying he would get out. I know that it isn’t a nice thought, but I really wasn’t prepared to go back up again.

This time Noah didn’t slack off. He found a good pitch to swing against and sent it between the first and second baseman for a single. He got to first, turned around, and gave me a thumbs up. What a show off, I scoffed.

I looked at Zeke coming out of the dugout to grab Noah’s bat. Mr. Miller was sending signs, but I knew they were for Noah since Zeke said to look at him when I was up to bat. Sure enough, he rubbed his nose. Foul it.

I got in the righty’s box. The Villa Park pitcher sure had his work cut out for him. I would be the eleventh batter he’s faced. And so soon. I wonder what his total pitch count is at. I fouled. Fouled again. The third pitch was a high ball, trying to tempt me to strike out. 1-2 count. He must be tired. Ball. Foul. Foul. 2-2. Every time I looked to Zeke, he wanted me to foul. I left the obvious balls go by so it didn’t look like I was swinging at anything and everything. Foul. Foul. Ball. Ball.

"Walk. Take your base." The umpire said.

A ten-pitch at bat. I gave myself a mental pat on the back. That should be what Zeke was looking for. Making the pitcher tired and annoyed so he would throw more balls and issue more walks. I carefully set my bat down and jogged to first; Noah moved to second and Mahki came up to bat.

I took note how far Noah was standing off his base. He seemed to be just one step closer than the shortstop or second baseman. The first baseman wasn’t holding me at the base so I scooted out. As long as I was closer to the bag than he was, I should be okay.

I watched for Mr. Miller’s signs. He gave the go-ahead to Mahki to swing at anything he wanted. Noah and I were to run at contact.

Mahki took a ball. Ball. Foul. Ball. On the fifth pitch, a 3-1 count, he started his swing and connected. This time I didn’t watch the ball. I focused on Mr. Miller as I ran to second. He waved Noah on home and me to third.

"Slide! Slide!" He yelled as I got halfway there. Did no one tell him? That I didn’t know how to slide? Awkward.