The Hitting Zone

Chapter 90 Game One: Villa Park 10

I slowly put back my helmet and bat.

Noah patted my back. "Sorry, Jake. My bad. I should have just tried for a walk or strikeout."

I shook my head. No way. If Noah purposely struck out, I would feel awful.

"Okay. Defense time! Let’s get this win!" He grabbed his glove. "And more importantly, let’s help Kyle get this perfect game. What a way to start off the season!"

I nodded and followed him out onto the field. Even though I was starting to feel more comfortable with the two plays I had made, I really didn’t want any balls to come my way. I wouldn’t want to ruin the perfect game. Who knows how many laps that would equal. I think I was up to eight, but knowing Zeke, I’m sure it’s more.

Kyle, at the top of the seventh inning, has to face batters one, two, and three. This would be their third time up, which means they’re probably familiar with his pitching by now.

The first batter made me the most nervous. He had a strikeout in the first, and then that hard line drive to me in the fourth. Noah signaled to me to back up. We stood where the dirt met the outfield grass.

"Stay calm." Noah said aloud. "Just don’t panic. If it comes, make sure to field the ball properly, plant your feet firmly, and throw accurately."

I took a deep breath and looked at Kyle up on the mound. He didn’t look nervous at all. Just seriously happy. If he’s not afraid, then why should I be?

Kelvin gave Kyle the signs as the batter stepped up to the plate. They agreed on the pitch and Kyle stepped on the rubber. I got set as well, ready to field anything that came near me. The batter came out swinging on the first pitch. He fouled it back, but high. Kelvin flipped his mask off and looked for the ball, but couldn’t make the catch. I saw Kyle deflate at the thought of missing an easy out.

A new ball was sent to Kyle. He walked to the back of the mound and had a moment.

"Get it Kyle!" Noah slapped his glove. "I’ve got your back!"

Kyle looked at him and gave a wry smile, not looking so confident anymore. I chose to slap my glove a few times too. He looked my way, surprised. Then he laughed to himself and turned his back to us, in order to face Kelvin and the batter. I wasn’t trying to be funny. I was just hoping he would cheer up and strike the batter out like he did when Dave was cheering from the bullpen.

It may have helped, because he got the guy to strikeout swinging with the following pitches. As the batters changed, Kyle turned to me and laughed some more. I looked towards Noah for help, but he just shrugged.

Batter number two flew out to right field after three straight fouls. Two outs. Then came up the potential last batter. Everyone was cheering for Kyle: the bullpen, our dugout, and the spectators. It was surprisingly loud, but you could really feel the energy.

Everyone had something encouraging to say. I felt excited too, but didn’t speak out. I just couldn’t force anything out. Noah was hollering for the batter to hit it to him. Some were doing the same. Others yelled for a strikeout. I didn’t want to distract him with me suddenly speaking out so I kept it to myself. Just one more out. C’mon Kyle.

I didn’t notice before, but Kyle was drenched in sweat. He had worn a long-sleeve shirt under his jersey since it was cold this morning, but it looked to be bothering him now. It was about an hour before noon, so the sun was nice and high, emitting some warmth in this cold February.

Kyle stared down the batter, got set, and pitched. Ball. It was fast but too high. The crowds cheering dwindled, yet I could still hear his parents yelling his name. The next pitch was slower, the batter fouled it down the first baseline.

Julian had dove for it, it was that close. You could hear the dugout let out a sigh of relief. One ball, one strike.

Next pitch. Inside. Ball. 2-1. Then the following pitch. Kyle seem to put a lot of effort in this one, but it looked too easy. The batter thought so too apparently. He smacked it right towards Kyle. Kyle was unprepared and didn’t react in time.

Both Noah and I moved to cover. Noah and I were both playing back so we had a good chance to stop it. Noah easily dove and caught the ball in his glove on his left hand. "Jake! Throw to first!" While he was still on the ground, he tossed the ball in the air with his glove just as I got close.

I caught it with my right, planted my left foot and threw to Julian as the batter entered my line of vision. It was close. Which was faster? My throw or the runner? We all held our breaths and looked at the first base ump.

"Out!" The ump yelled out as he did the arm motion. Everyone jumped up and rushed Kyle on the mound.

I stood still. The guys from the bullpen and dugout all ran out joining the starters on the mound. The crowd was yelling like crazy; I can’t believe they were all our fans. There must be normal baseball fans watching and just cheering for such amazing pitching.

"That was a great throw, Bambi." Mr. Miller came to stand next to me.

I gave a nod. It was a great throw. Especially since it came from me, the weakest arm on the team. But the thing is, I could have blown it. And that’s unsettling to know. So many different things could have gone wrong and Kyle would have lost the perfect game.

"You look like you’re thinking too much, kid." He continued, drawing me out of my thoughts. "Why don’t you go celebrate with the team and enjoy the moment?"

I shook my head. I wasn’t the type to yell and jump around. Even Zeke was happily patting on his brothers back on a game well done.

I just turned away and headed back to the dugout.