Coach Nate seed to follow the pattern of taking the pitcher out after every inning. Regardless of how good or bad he was doing. The other team looked like they were doing sothing similar, alternating their pitchers so no one did too much.
In the third inning, I got up to bat again. With a player on second and two outs, I found a gap in the outfield. I didn’t try for second, knowing that my legs were shaking and would definitely give out. It’s okay though, I was satisfied with an RBI single. I thought with two hits and three RBI’s, I would get swapped out, but it never ca.
Coach Nate would use a pinch hitter for the pitcher every ti it ca up in the batting order. Then when it ca to going back on the field, he would choose to either keep the player out or put him in for a position player. I thought he was basing it off if they got a hit at their at-bat or not, but that didn’t seem to be the case. One kid got a hit, but wasn’t put into play, while another also got a hit yet was given a chance to be on the field.
After my third hit of the ga, I expected to be pulled in order to give soone else a chance, but it never ca. It didn’t co after the fourth hit either. I even had a throwing error on what should have been a groundout, but Coach Nate didn’t say anything.
The ga was the standard seven innings of high school ball, and I played all seven. The only player to do it on the team. I only knew this because one of my teammates had kept track. He ntioned it to the others and I had overheard.
Coach Nate kept us for a few minutes after the ga. "Not bad. I’m happy to start off with a win." He nodded in my direction. "Jake led the team in hits and RBI’s tonight."
"Yea, but he also got the most at-bats." Soone whispered, but had the intention to be heard.
I hung my head, feeling awkward. It’s not like I wanted to play the full ga either. My legs were tired and now I’m hungry again.
"He got the most at-bats because he was given a perfect score in the hitting categories." Coach Nate looked at the outspoken player. "If you have a problem with the way I run this team, then leave. I’ve done enough ti to not be questioned by high school brats."
The team was silent.
"Sorry..." The sa kid mumbled.
Coach Nate nodded. "I won’t keep you boys long. Tonight, I got so much needed insight on how you boys play. It’s not much, but it’s better than the evaluation scores given to . A piece of paper can’t show your attitude to the ga, or if you have the hustle and heart."
??
I didn’t understand what he was looking for. But after a glance, I could see most of the team nodding and straightening their posture. I hurried to do the sa.
"Alright." He gave a small smile. "It’s late. Hit the showers, get so sleep, and make sure to eat breakfast in the morning. We’ll et up after lunch for so practice, maybe watch one of the other gas depending on how practice goes. We’ll have another night ga tomorrow so maybe try to take a nap at so point to refresh yourselves."
He dismissed us.
I pretended to look for sothing in my bag, letting the others leave before . I wasn’t getting the vibe that the other guys liked . I actually felt a little alienated. No one really spoke to except for Kenny.
"Hey kid, didn’t you hear the coach?" Rhys ca over and asked . "He said to get back and get so rest. What are you doing just hanging around here?"
I blushed and got up. I zipped up my bag and put the straps on my shoulders. "I’m done. Just..." My voice lowered. "Waiting."
Rhys reached over and tipped my hat up. "Hey, don’t be sad. What’s wrong?"
I glanced at the team that was leaving the field together. I shrugged. "I just thought...they would be happy with winning..?"
Rhys chuckled as we started our walk back to the dorms. "This camp isn’t about winning. There’s a bonus for winning, but it’s about showing off your skills to these college coaches and scouts. Another biggie is: improving your own ga."
I nodded. "I know." I’ve only been told like a hundred tis. It doesn’t make feel better though.
"Don’t worry about the guys." Rhys told , putting his arm around my shoulders. "As long as they don’t hurt you, they’re just faces that will fade after the week."
True. I don’t have to get along with these guys. They don’t go to my school.
"Don’t let their attitude and words get to you, Jake." Rhys talked the whole way back. "Focus on showing off your batting skills and improving on the other aspects of the ga. It’s better to see their attitude towards you now, rather than later. Understand?"
I glanced up at him. I knew exactly what he was saying. Him and Noah went through similar experiences: losing friends during baseball. Noah was shunned after making varsity while Rhys was forgotten after his injury.
"I think Kenny is nice." I slowly shifted the conversation. Kenny reached out to even though he also had a quiet personality.
"He’s rather shy." Rhys tried to rember which one was Kenny. "A bit too skinny."
We talked about Kenny and the ga until reaching the dorms. Rhys had to et up with the other coaching staff in the cafeteria to prepare for tomorrow so he left on my own.
I hurried up the stair to the dorm I shared with Noah. I couldn’t wait to see a face that was not just familiar, but also very welcoming.
I opened the door.
Noah sat up on his bed. "You’re back!" He grinned. "How was it? Did you guys practice in the stadium?"
"We played a ga!" I told him, dropping my bag in the corner of the room.
"What?! Really?" He sighed. "You’re lucky. I had to do yoga in the cafeteria."
I gave him a funny look. "Yoga..?"
He laughed. "It’s exactly what you’re thinking! It was also rather hard. I’m not as flexible as I thought. But after taking a shower, I feel a lot better. Probably won’t be so sore in the morning. How was the ga? Did you win?"
Only Noah would be satisfied with doing yoga at a baseball camp. I held back a laugh. "We won."
"Great! How’d you do?"
I shrugged. "Four for four, a few RBI’s."
Noah laughed, leaning against his headboard. "I’m sure your team was happy with your performance. Probably carried them to the win."
"Ha..." I tried to laugh, not letting him see that anything was wrong. "I’m going to shower..." It was getting late now.
"Okay, don’t forget to take your pajamas with you." Noah reminded .
I nodded, grabbing pjs and underwear.
Reviews
All reviews (0)