59 The Weekend 4 (2/2)

Zeke's eyes cut through him, making me feel nervous for Dave. Zeke looked like he was about to thrash him. ”Fine. Kyle does have the stronger arm. It would only make more sense to send him.”

Kyle smirked at Dave. ”You're right. I'll do it. Since I have a stronger arm.” He jogged to the grass and found a good spot to stand.

Zeke ignored Dave's look of displeasure. ”Since you're catcher, you're responsible for handing me a ball. And making sure the rest make it back into the bucket.”

Dave grumbled and took a spot next to the bucket. He gave a ball to Zeke.

Zeke looked at me. ”I'll be calling out the situation before I send the ball to you. You field accordingly. Every wrong one will equal a lap, which you'll run on Monday.”

I nodded nervously and got set.

”No outs.” Zeke smacked a light grounder my way. I quickly fielded it to Garret who waited at first patiently. Zeke nodded, satisfied. ”Simple and quick. Next. One out, runner on first.” He sent me another grounder towards my right hand. I bare handed it, and lightly tossed it to Noah, who was waiting on second base, then he fired it to Garret on first.

Garret whistled. ”Not bad. Already attempting bare hands? You also paired with Noah very nicely.”

”Wrong.” Zeke shut down Garret's compliments with one word. ”That'll be a lap.”

”What. Why?” Noah looked as upset as I felt. That was my first real attempt at a bare hand and Zeke isn't even giving us credit as a pass?

”I said runner ON first.” He stressed. ”That could possibly mean he staying close to the base. Maybe without a lead. The batter could also be a slow runner. It would have been a safer play if you backhanded with your glove to ensure it didn't get past you. We don't need fancy and nice looking plays. We want safe plays that'll win games.”

My jaw dropped.