11 The Cages 1 (2/2)

The lady flipped the bat to the end of the barrel where a sticker said 'for sale only' with a $60 next to it. ”Wooden bats are easier to break in the cages.”

”No way. Sixty dollars? That's too much! And it even looks used already.” Noah protested.

”It's a MLB prime maple Louisville slugger. It's original cost is easily over one hundred dollars. We cut the cost since it's a return item.” An older man came from behind us. ”It's a good bat. Hard to break or chip. Even some professionals would use it.”

”Even more reason to just let us borrow it.” Noah countered, facing the old man. ”C'mon boss. We're just lowly freshmen...how could we break a bat that even professionals trust?”

The old man smiled and patted Noah's head. ”So relentless. Definitely an Atkins boy.” So they knew each other? ”Fine, ten dollar rental fee. If you break it, you buy it. The full sixty.”

Noah happily slapped a ten dollar bill on the counter. ”Thanks boss. We're just having fun anyways. Stop worrying so much.”

The old man just shook his head and walked away.

”That's the boss.” Noah told me as he put the wooden bat in my hands. ”He runs this place so we see him frequently. My brothers say he use to be a pro way back when.”

My eyes widened. That frail old man use to be a pro?

”Let's go see what you can do with the bat. Maybe we can convince mom to buy it if you like it.” He threw an arm around my shoulders, pushing me towards the doors.