The Hitting Zone

Chapter 1106  V3 ch340 CIF Quarterfinals: West Valley Prep (2)

After warmups and batting practice, the stands started to fill up. Really fill up. The bus from our school came with 50-60 students. That was just the tip of the iceberg. There were still classmates that showed up with friends and family. My shoulders started to feel heavy and it felt a little harder to breathe.

Until Noah slapped me on the back. "Why do you even look if you know it makes you uncomfortable?"

I swallowed a lump in my throat. "I like knowing where Mom and Dad are."

"Let me look." Noah scanned the crowd. "Okay. I see them. With Gramps. And hey, even Ryan came." He let me look, pointing out the small group. Near them, I could see Kaylee with her friends. Not far from them was Marie and a few other softball players.

I relaxed, letting out a long breath of air. Everyone that was supposed to be here, made it. I glanced at Noah. "Why do you think Ryan came? Kyle can't pitch at all today." He had to rest for the mandatory three days.

"Maybe to network with the scouts that show up?" Noah shrugged. "Nothing wrong with him coming. It's basically his job to get Kyle's name out there and for him to be present, ya know."

"That makes sense." I nodded. "I kind of like the idea of having an agent."

"You do?" Noah was surprised.

"Well...as long as I know him, I guess." I shrugged. "It kind of sounds like a buffer. Like how Kyle doesn't have to talk to all these strangers or anything. Ryan does it for him."

"He's his representative." Noah said. "Agents represent what you want or need. I can see how that would be a good thing for you." He grinned. "I bet it would help you even more if Mom or Dad were your representatives."

I nodded. "That would be perfect."

Noah laughed while giving me a shove. "Dude, they're real estate agents. They don't know the ways of the baseball world."

I grinned. "Yea, but neither do I."

"You need a pro." Noah said. "You know, if Ryan works out well with Kyle, maybe we should jump onboard too. Kyle's like our guinea pig. He's going before us, so if any mistakes happen, we can learn from them."

"Excuse me?" Two heavy hands landed on our shoulders.

Noah peered up at Kyle. "Oh hey. We were just talking about you."

"Yea? By comparing me to a rodent?" Kyle raised an eyebrow.

"It's just an expression." Noah swatted his hand away. He pushed Kyle's other hand off of me too. "Don't grab Jake like that. He'll jump out of his skin."

"He didn't even jump that time." Kyle defended, yet still looked me in the eyes to make sure I'm okay.

"Okay, okay, let's get this party started!" Garret hollered as he came back to the dugout with Mitchell. The pair had already checked in with Coach and showed some eagerness to take the field.

Everyone fixed their hats, checked their cleats, and grabbed their gloves.

We did a small pre-game ceremony of sorts, singing the national anthem, announcing starting lineups for both sides, then we all started to move. Our relief pitchers, including Dave, headed for the bullpen in the outfield. Guys like Kyle, Logan, Dalton, and Jesse stayed in the dugout. Us starters jogged to our positions.

Garret's very first pitch was put into play; a routine grounder to Noah at short. He dealt with it easily and grinned as he hollered, "One out! Two to go!" No doubt, he was feeling like he might get more action his way.

However, the second batter was dealt with Garret and Garret only. Garret didn't use his fastball, immediately going to the cutter with this guy. The batter went down swinging, becoming the first strikeout victim of the night.

The third batter came up next. He swung and missed the cutter. Then he fouled off Garret's still new slider. 0-2. Garret threw a fastball inside and the batter swung and connected, ripping a line drive right at Jason. Jason made the catch and the inning was over.

"Three up, three down. My favorite phrase." Noah said to me as we to the dugout.

I nodded in agreement and we both started to get ready for our plate appearances. It's been a long time since I led off to start the game. Not since our rematch with University Prep back in February. It doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of the game, but it does ensure that I'll have the most at bats on my team.

Noah and I left the dugout at the same time, giving each other some room for practice swings. The umpire called for the warmup baseballs to be thrown back and for the game to start again.

"NOW BATTING, SECOND BASEMAN, JAKE ATKINS." My name was announced as I walked up to home plate.

The catcher was already speaking with the umpire. "We're intentionally walking him."

The umpire gave me the sign to take my base. I ditched the bat and started to jog to first. All of a sudden 'boos' and jeers rain down. It took me a second to realize it was for the pitcher and West Valley.

Coach Riley gave me a look as I stood on the bag. "Be ready."

I nodded lightly, taking a small lead as Noah's name was announced. Mr. Miller didn't have to give any sign from his coach's box as we already knew the game plan. We had been working on it for the last two days. As soon as that pitcher let go of the ball, I had to take off. Either Noah would lay down the bunt or he'd let it go and I would try to steal. We were going to be aggressive right away.

The pitcher got set, as did Noah. The pitcher lifted his leg, starting his motion, and as soon as I knew he was committed, I took off. My eyes stayed on second, however I could hear the sound of Noah's bat making contact. And then...a lot of groaning.

"Jake! Get back!" Someone yelled, but it was too late. The second base umpire pointed at me and signaled out.

I slowed up, glancing back at first. The first baseman threw the ball back to his pitcher. Still a little unsure of what had happened, I jogged back to my team's dugout. That's where I found out that Noah botched the bunt, popping out to the pitcher, who then threw me out at first. Oops.

I made a face of distress.

Noah shook his head as we both started to take our helmets off. "That was crap. All on me. Don't think too hard about it."

"Then you let it go too, kid." Garret came over, standing by as we sat down.

"I'm not one to overthink like Jake." Noah commented. He sighed. "It's just not the start I had imagined for us."

"Hey, hey. We'll get on the board soon enough." Garret said.

It just wouldn't happen this inning. Bryce popped out to short to end the inning.

We put on our hats, grabbed our gloves, and took the field for the top of the second.

Garret started with the cleanup hitter, who smacked a pitch to left-center field. Korrey got there first to make the catch for the first out. The next batter pulled a pitch far left, down the line, into the corner. Korrey made a sliding catch, saving it before it touched the grass.

I applauded with the crowd on the great play. Just as I was wondering if something was going on with Garret, he struck out the very next guy to end the side. Another three up, three down. Can't complain.

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