The Hitting Zone

Chapter 98 Game Two: Pleasant Valley 6

Jason was to leadoff. As someone who had a single and a double already this game, we all had high hopes, but he came back empty handed. He struck out putting us in a tight spot. The called game looks even harder now.

Julian was next. He had a good game going so far with a single and a walk. As he walked up to the plate, Coach called me, Noah and this other guy, Bryce, to him.

"Noah, you’ll bat after Zeke. Then Bryce. Then Jake." Coach instructed. "Helmets on and bats in your hands. Find some space to stretch and take some practice swings."

The sound of the aluminum bat, hitting a baseball, made him pause. We all looked to the field to see Julian sprinting past first, and dove head first to second. The dugout made noise and the crowd cheered.

"Good." Coach nodded to himself in satisfaction. Then he turned back to us. "Noah, Bryce, you both have the same job: get on base safely. Hopefully drive in any runners left on base." He made eye contact with me. "I’m going to let you hit. Anyway you like and anywhere you please. I just want runs. Got it?"

I nodded. Noah and Bryce also voiced their agreements. Coach then waved us away so he can watch Mahki at the plate. Even though Mahki had a good first game, in this afternoon game, he had grounded out into a double play and had struck out looking.

This time around, he didn’t let us down. He sent a hard grounder down the third baseline, squeaking by the third baseman, but stayed in fair territory. Julian didn’t hesitate, and sprinted all the way home. By the time the left fielder got the ball back into the infield, we already went up to 7-3, Mahki made it to second base easily.

Six more runs to go with Zeke up to bat. Noah moved to the on deck circle and I stood beside Bryce, ready to go.

The catcher suddenly stood up and held his glove up and took a step away. They were going to intentionally walk Zeke. That would be his second of the day. Which is understandable since he hasn’t recorded an out yet today.

"Noah, come back." Coach spoke. Bryce and I faced him as Noah came back to the dugout. "They’re hoping the next batter will hit into a double play to end the inning. So we’re going to change things up. Jake, you’ll go up first. Use your head up there. You need to keep the momentum going. Bryce and Noah will follow up."

We all nodded and moved appropriately. Zeke was already sent to first base and it was my turn to go up to the plate. I gripped my wooden bat. This is it. My first chance to hit the way I like.

"Be smart!" Coach called out one last time.

I frowned, not totally sure what he means. Can you outsmart the other team? Is that a thing?

I got in the righty’s box and relaxed my body. The first pitch was a ball. I studied the infielders and took note how they played right on the line of dirt and grass. They were definitely looking for a double play. Hmmm, be smart. Be smart. Be smart. Another ball went by. 2-0 count.

Smart batting made me think of Sean’s at-bat. He pretended to be looking for a hit, when instead, he pushed for a bunt and was able to get a single. I thought about it. I could do something similar.

After taking the third pitch for a called strike, I stepped out of the batters box, walked around the catcher and umpire, and got in the lefty’s box.

Everyone seemed surprised. The catcher stood up and looked back at the ump. "Can he switch sides during an at-bat like this?"

I froze. Can I? It’ll be really awkward if I can’t.

The umpire called time out and replied. "Yes. He can switch sides every pitch. He just can’t do so when the pitcher is in motion."

The catcher sized me up, then jogged up to the mound to meet with his pitcher. Oddly, the infielders joined them as well. Kind of like a team meeting.

I peeked at my dugout. Everyone was leaning forward on the fence, calling for me to hit the ball. I looked for Noah. He caught my eye and gave me a thumbs up. I don’t know if that’s because he knew what I was doing or if that’s for good luck.

The umpire decided they had enough time at the mound and went to tell them to break it up. Then both the ump and catcher returned to home plate as everyone else got back into position. I noticed the infielders had stepped up and no longer played so far back.

I didn’t see any obvious gaps between the infielders that I could utilize. I had to think a little more.

The pitcher got set and started his motion. Mahki looked to be inching a bit further from his leadoff spot from second. The pitch came and both Mahki and Zeke took off running. I quickly changed my grip on my bat to a bunting position and was able to touch the ball. Only for my bunt to go foul down the third baseline.

The third baseman would have been too slow to throw it to first again. Mahki and Zeke went back to their positions and the pitcher got a new ball. I saw the third baseman already cheating and sneaking a few extra steps in.

The pitcher got set. I showed my bunt this time, determined not to fail. The pitcher went through his motion and sent me a sloppy pitch. It didn’t have anything on it. Just begging to be hit. I took back the bunt, and went back to my normal hitting position. Then I took a good cut and sent the ball right over the third baseman’s glove even though he jumped.

I took off and ran as fast as I could to first, not paying attention to anything else.