"This game will be a hit fest." Coach declared. He had gathered us after the end of Pleasant Valley's win. "We'll have James start on the mound."
"What about me?" Dave asked, pointing at his face.
"You would be the worst choice for this game and up against this lineup." Coach didn't hold back. "As someone who pitches to contact, you should know giving up hits is common. What Kyle did earlier, was a freak moment. James Lohr, will you be ready to go?"
Dave looked down, acting pitifully.
James, a senior that I haven't spoken to personally, stood up. "Yes coach. Can I go start warming up with Kelvin? I want to make sure all my pitches are in good form today."
He waved them off. "Start off with some light tossing first. We've still got an hour before we take the field for warmups." He looked at the sun, which was above, but in February it would start setting soon. "Playing a late afternoon game is more disadvantageous than an evening game in February. The sun will be setting during the game. Fielding will be difficult."
James and Kelvin stood up and walked away with their gear. One of the assistant coaches went with them.
"You boys watch Pleasant Valley beat on Katella, right?" Coach looked down at us.
The guys all avoided eye contact and made some incoherent mumbles.
Coach sighed and shook his head in despair. "Unbelievable. Just because you know how the game ended, doesn't mean that you know all that has happened."
Zeke stood. "Their strengths lie in their bats. Though they only gave up a few runs, that was presumably their best pitcher. That's why I suggested for James to start instead of Dave. James has more variety in his pitches and will be able to throw them off their rhythm."
Coach nodded. "Diligent observation."
Dave looked even more upset, not liking what Zeke had to say. He sighed and flopped back, laying his head on his bag like a pillow.
"Pleasant Valley won't be pushovers with just a little strategy." Coach continued, ignoring Dave's display of dissatisfaction. "They were able to mercy rule Katella. Katella might not be a strong team, but they have solid foundations. We have to come out, swinging. I don't want any meaningless strikeouts."
I sat up a little straighter. Swinging? Does this mean I'll be batting? I snuck a peek at Zeke. He caught me looking and shook his head. Still not time? I sighed and slouched.
"Jake." Coach called. I straightened back up. "Excellent fielding in game one. Your running and sliding still needs work." The guys laughed and I blushed. "I'm gonna have to make you sit this one. At least to begin with. There will be a lot of base runners so I want you to focus on learning."
I felt dejected once again.
Noah patted my shoulder, sympathetically, and whispered. "It's a good learning opportunity."
"Noah, you'll be sitting out as well." Coach followed up. "This will be more of a hitting contest and your batting isn't up to par."
"But-but-but, bad defense loses games!" Noah protested.
"And good offense wins games." Coach retorted. "Both of you will sit, watch, and learn. If I see a need to put you in, I won't hesitate." He looked at some other guys. "Daniel Myers and John Roberts. You're both it. Any slacking and I'll pull you immediately."
"Yes!" Both guys said in unison.
Coach continued to give out instructions and what to look out for. After awhile he went off to the side with the coaches, trying to figure out a new batting lineup order.
Noah, Dave and I all sulked in our misfortune of not getting to play. Kyle looked at us and rolled his eyes. "You're all a bunch of five year olds. It's just one game. You don't see me complaining."
"Easy for you to say. You got to pitch a complete game this morning." Dave glared at him. "And the satisfaction of a perfect game, at that. I have to wait a whole day. Today is pointless."
"If we don't win today, you don't get to pitch tomorrow." Zeke said as he came over to look down at our sorry state of mind.
Dave peeked up. He glared at his oldest brother. "You better hit a homerun on my behalf. Or I won't forgive you for holding me out."
Before Zeke could reply, Noah jumped in. "Same! I know you probably told coach to hold me out. I want a homerun on my behalf too! A totally separate one from Dave's."
Zeke rubbed the space between his eyebrows. "Can you guys be serious for once? In a tournament, you can't just think about the current game, but also the next game, and the game after."
I tugged Noah's sleeve and held up three fingers.
Noah grinned. He looked up at Zeke. "Jake wants one as well. You should hit a homer for every brother you bench, otherwise we'll just think of you as heartless and cruel."
Dave nodded in agreement. "You said it yourself. If we don't win today, then I don't get to pitch tomorrow. Don't let us down captain."
Zeke's eyes narrowed at the sight of us three. I shivered and cowered behind Noah. Zeke sighed. "We'll see what I get. I can't promise something absurd as three homeruns."
"Wait. What." Kyles jaw dropped at the sight of Zeke giving in. "What about me? I won't be playing too! A homerun for me as well!"
"Impossible." Zeke and Dave said at the same time. They looked at one another in surprise.
Dave shrugged. "Kyle already has his moment of glory. He doesn't need anything else. What did you want to say?"
We all looked at Zeke. He cleared his throat, but spoke low. "If I were to hit three homeruns, we will win in a called game. And we'll mercy rule Pleasant Valley just like they did to Katella."
The Atkins all looked at each other before jumping up and beating on Zeke. They patted his shoulders, stomach, back, arms, anything they could touch. They all laughed as I stayed seated, confused on what the big deal was.
