Game Four: Paradise Preparatory (2)

I fixed my grip and watched the pitcher diligently as he completed his motion. From his release of the pitch, I could tell it was coming faster than before. I felt a tug at my lips. They thought they could just throw 10mph faster to throw me off?

I stepped forward with my left foot and started my swing. The ball met with the sweet part of my bat and flew over the pitchers head, into the outfield.

I sprinted to first and watched as my hit dropped in front of the center fielder. I stopped at first and saw Mahki slide into third to avoid a tag from the relay throw.

"BAMBI!" The guys in the dugout yelled out, all at once. I jumped and looked to my left to see them shaking the dugout fence. Were they going to act this excited every time I get a hit?

I gave them a little nod, then turned my attention back to the game. Zeke was stepping up to the plate. I saw that Mahki started to lead off and I followed suit. I only went five feet off the bag...still traumatized from yesterday's running errors.

But my lead had no affect on the pitching to Zeke. The Paradise Prep pitcher was back to pitching balls all on the outside until it became a 3-0 count. Even the fourth pitch looked to be another ball, but Zeke didn't let it. He took a monstrous step forward, stretched out his arms to swing his bat, and sent the ball flying well over my head. I turned to watch it go over the right field fence.

"Start running!" Coach Luis pulled my attention back.

I hustled around the bases with Zeke barely a step behind. I touched home plate and turned in time just to see him touch it. Mahki gave him a high five and then threw his arm around my shoulders, walking me back to our dugout.

"Wow kid! That was a stellar hit!" Mahki complimented me. "It looked to be a faster pitch than his normal too!" He pushed me into the dugout first.

Everyone was crowded around. I tried weaving my way through, but ended up being slapped on the helmet by everyone around.

"Great hit."

"Nice one, Bambi!"

"Hey guys! Back off!" Noah made his way to me and pulled me out. "Jake is claustrophobic so stop that. You can't do this every time he gets a hit."

"That definitely fits Bambi's image." Garret's joke made the team laugh.

I felt my face heat up with all the attention. I quickly went to my bag and put away my bat and helmet. I put my hat on and sat down on the bench.

Noah sat down beside me. "We really need to work on your baserunning."

I made a face at him. Did that mean more running at practice?

"Don't look so horrified." Noah laughed. "Maybe we can convince Drew that you need to change your focus to learning how to run the bases instead. Don't you want to stop training with Drew?"

I nodded.

"Ok then."

The sound of the bat hitting the ball made us look to the field. Sean had just hit a fly ball to the left fielder to make out number one.

Julian followed up with a high pop up to the third baseman. Then Chris struck out.

Noah wiggled his eyebrows. "Looks like I get to lead off next inning. Let's go!"

We grabbed our gloves and jogged onto the field. After a quick warmup, everyone was in their places. This would be the first time I get to see Garret pitch against an opposing team.

Normally he had a relaxed expression throughout practices and whenever I've seen him. But on the mound, he looked ferocious. Like he was mad at the batter just for existing. He really didn't give off the same vibe during my tryout. Maybe because he knew I would be a future teammate.

He struck out the first guy on three pitches, all without a swing from the batter. Then the same for the second batter. Then again for the third. He struck out the side with just nine pitches. It was strange that they didn't swing at all.

As our team jogged back to the dugout, I noticed how Garret and his catcher, Jordan, conversed in low voices. They didn't seem especially excited even though they struck out the top of the lineup.

Inside the dugout, I wanted to ask Noah about the strange scene but he was already grabbing his bat and helmet, then ran back out to the field.

I looked around to see who I could ask, but the twins were both in the bullpen and Zeke was speaking with Garret and Jordan now. Something was up.

I could only wait until Noah comes back or Zeke comes over. I held my glove in my lap and watched Noah's at-bat.

Noah got in the box. But then I lost sight of him. Garret and Jordan had helmets on and bats in hand as they stood just outside the dugout, cutting off my view of home plate. I frowned and looked for Zeke. If they moved on and were back to talking to themselves, then that means I can ask Zeke.

Zeke was now speaking with Coach and they were both frowning, looking super unapproachable.

All of a sudden people started to cheer and I stood up to see what had happen, only to find Noah already on first base, giving the dugout a thumbs up. My lips twitched at his dorkiness.

Finally Jordan and Garret separated; the former to the batters box and the latter to the on deck circle. Jordan didn't even take a practice swing. I don't think I've ever seen him hit or move his bat, thinking about it. I studied his movements. They looked stiff like a statue and showed no flexibility.

I frowned. He's not going to be able to get a hit with a stance like that.