Spring Training(1)

Dan is excited that Ian invited him to have training together, he takes a shower then calls his father telling him about the wonderful news. The father listens to his son's story and can feel the excitement in Dan's voice. He's happy for him. He tells Dan that he should go to bed early because he is about to have a big day with Ian the next day. "Great. I'll talk to you later. Dad." After the phone call, Dan begins to get ready for bed.

Next day, Dan wakes up at 5:00 in the morning, and it's too early for meeting up with Ian, but he can't go back to sleep, he's just too excited. Dan lives in the dormitory that the Fighters prepare for the players of the spring training. The place is only three blocks away from the stadium. Dan gives himself some time to be sober. He looks out the window, the sky is still dark. Dan decides to take a walk down on the street and enjoy the fresh air in the morning.

Downtown, "This is nice." The boy walks on the street and enjoys morning quietness in his hometown city. After thirty minutes of walking in downtown Baku, Dan feels a bit tired. He heads back to the dormitory and enters his room. He takes a shower then has a quick nap before he takes off.

Soon, waking up at 6:40 am, Dan gets himself ready then heads to the stadium. The guard is surprised to see him show up this early. He opens the door for him and tells him the way to the gym facility. At 6:55 am, Dan sees two men walking through the front door. It's Ian and Leo; Ian and Leo aren't living in the dorm, Ian has a house and lives with his wife and children in Baku, and Leo rents a small apartment, living with his girlfriend in Victoria. He drives to Baku from Victoria every day during the spring training.

"Morning, Guys." Dan says. He approaches them.

"Morning." Ian and Leo notice him, and they both reply to him.

"Are you ready, Dan?" Ian and Leo stop walking, and Ian asks.

"Yes, I am. " Dan replies.

"You sure? The thing that you are about to experience isn't going to be easy." Leo laughs. "His training will destroy you." He glances at Ian and speaks.

"Come on. Don't scare him." Ian turns to Leo and speaks.

"I'm ready, just bring it on." Dan says with confidence, "By the way, do you guys always come here together?" and he asks.

"Us? Yep." Leo replies, "We are good partners."

"It's time to go." Ian interrupts them and stares at his phone to check the time, he reminds two of them they have to get moving.

Dan walks with them to the locker room. They put on their workout outfits before warming up. Once they're ready for it, they split up. Ian demonstrates how he does his routine workout in the gym and gives Dan some advice to improve his pitching. While Ian's teaching Dan his techniques, Leo's doing his training by himself. Three of them are spending time in the gym, meanwhile, other Fighters players begin to show up in the gym to do their personal training before the team meeting. The place becomes crowded and noisy. During the workout with Ian, Dan learns things he has never been told in high school.

Ninety minutes later, after three of them got into the gym, Ian tells Dan it's enough for the morning and stops the movement. Some players are leaving for the meeting. He looks up at the clock on the wall and notices they should leave the gym for the team meeting as well. Ian looks around looking for Leo and sees him on a treadmill.

"Leo. Are you done?" Ian walks to Leo and asks.

"Almost." Leo's painting. "Are you leaving?" He asks.

"Yep. It's about time." Ian nods. "We are going back to the locker room. Are you coming?"

Leo checks the time on his cell phone. "Okay. I'm coming with you." He stops the machine and gets ready to leave.

They go back to the locker room to have some water and change their clothes for the spring training before heading to the dugout to meet up with the rest of the team.

On the way to it, Ian turns to Dan and asks him something. "Dan, let me ask you something. How bad do you want to be a good pitcher?" Ian asks.