"Don't tell me you don't remember Zeke getting out?" Sean laughed some more. "Are you trying to set multiple records on having the best average in the league?"
I felt my face heat up. "Oh. Right. Ok. Yea, I can try."
"It's not like I want you to get out, Jake." Coach explained. "I think we should take this opportunity to see how far you can knock the ball without having to overthink. Just pure reflexes. No need to worry about a fast pitch, fast swing, launch angle, or whatever else goes on in your head. Muscle it out. Let your body do all the work." He went on. "This upcoming weekend, we'll face better pitchers. Better batteries. Speed, location, and pitch type. You remember last year right?"
I slowly nodded. "Yea, but only University Prep held me hitless." And I wasn't myself that day.
Coach grinned. "Yea. You're good. No doubt. But we're going to need more."
"You're Zeke this year." Sean spoke up. "Instead of just trying to get on. You have to drive us home."
Oh. Right. That does change things a little bit.
The umpire called for the game to resume. Modoc got in position and I headed back for the batter's box. Don't think. Just swing. Sure. Okay.
I watched the first pitch fall in the zone for a called strike. The pitcher had mediocre speed. Barely 80s. Coach wants me to try to get this one beyond center field? I looked out beyond the infield and it just felt like the field was bigger. No, wait, of course it's bigger. The center field fence is the furthest distance required for a homerun. The second pitch was a ball inside, forcing me to back up a little. On a 1-1 count, he threw his third pitch. The trajectory tells me it's in the zone. I started my swing and tried to make the best contact, using the most power. The ball went back the way it came, up the center.
I started to run and watched as the center fielder backed up a few steps. Arm raised. The ball simply fell into his glove. Not even to the warning track. I turned back to go get my bat and go back to the dugout.
"Good try!"
"You'll get it next time!"
"Good swing!"
Shouts coming from the stands made me look their way. I saw familiar faces and smiled at their consolations.
"You're human after all!" I heard Kaylee yell. She was up front, not even a foot away from the fence. She grinned and waved. "Gotta hit the gym!"
I headed back with a smile.
Sean passed by me with a smile too. "No pressure on me now. Thanks."
I walked back in the dugout as Jason headed out for the on deck circle.
"She's right, ya know." Noah slapped me on the back. "We've got to go back to lifting more."
"We'll incorporate that more." Coach rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I'll have to check with the league to see how much practice time we can have. Or maybe we can open the gym for you guys and not have it count against us if the coaches aren't present."
"Wouldn't the ball have gone further if he just switch to an aluminum bat?" Logan asked from his spot on the bench.
I started to shake. My head. My whole body. My nerves.
Noah held my shoulder down and lowered his voice. "Don't worry. He doesn't know. You're fine." He guided me to my seat.
"Jake doesn't touch or use an aluminum bat." I heard Coach say straightforwardly. "It's better if you leave it alone. In fact, I don't want to hear any more on the subject unless you're batting better than Jake. If having an aluminum bat was really so much better, he wouldn't have the highest average on the team." He was speaking louder as if he was addressing the whole team.
"You're okay. You're fine." Noah kept repeating to me. "You're good. Stay calm. No one is mad at you. You're the best in the lineup."
"How is he?" Coach sounded closer, but more quiet. "He looks like he's about to zone out for good. Should I get your parents?"
I shook my head. I'm okay. I'm fine. I'm good. Like Noah said. Logan wasn't mad at me. He wasn't accusing me.
"I don't know..." Noah trailed off. "He probably shouldn't go back on the field. When he gets like this...we'll be lucky if he doesn't pass out."
"I-I-I won't." I stuttered.
Noah took my helmet off and messed up my hair, looking directly in my eyes. "You're okay?"
"I'm okay." I swallowed a heavy lump in my throat.
Coach let out a heavy sigh. "Alright. Take a breather. Dalton will go in for you."
I opened my mouth, unsure of what to say. I don't want to be benched. But...I also didn't feel like playing anymore.
"The game is pretty much over." Dave took a seat next to me. "Joey said he's going to keep them scoreless for the fourth and fifth innings. Get the mercy rule win."
"It's considered a complete game shutout." Joey yelled out.
"It'll be embarrassing if you don't pull through." Kyle laughed. "Be careful. I think the other dugout heard you."
"Dalton, get your glove. You're going in for Jake." Coach moved away from me, giving me more space.
Noah started to put his glove on. Guess Sean got out to end the inning. The dugout got quieter as nine players left to take the field.
Dave bumped his shoulder into mine. "Hey. It's going to be okay. Just keep getting better."
"Go straight to the big leagues after high school and no one will ask you to touch an aluminum bat." Kyle came over, sitting on my other side.
"I rather have him follow me to Vanderbilt." Dave joked. "Help me win a couple of national titles."
"If you really cared about that, you would have gone to Stanford. Join Zeke and Rhys."
"Nah. Zeke would only be there for a year. Who knows about Rhys." Dave replied.
The two talked, filling up the silence. It was a good distraction. I tried to listen to their pitching talks as our game wrapped up.
Joey gave up a couple more hits in both innings but didn't give up a run. Our team didn't add anything either. 10-0 win in five innings.
I went through the motions of packing up, vaguely listening to Coach's postgame speech.
After the game, Noah steered me away from our classmates with the excuse that I was sick. We ditched the twins and found his parents and Grampa walking in the parking lot.
Mom and Dad took one look at me and I think they knew. Mom reached out once I was in arms reach, pulling me into her. "You had a good game, Jake. Why don't we let you pick what's for dinner?"
"Not hungry." I mumbled, accepting her hug while not hugging back.
"Soup? That'll cure him." Noah spoke up.
Mom guided me to Dad's car. We loaded up and headed home. Shower. Dinner. Homework. I felt numb to it all.
