106 Game Three: San Marino 1 (2/2)

A few guys laughed.

”We can always call you Davey like when we were little.” Noah snickered.

”What's that!” Dave tried getting to us. I stepped away from Noah, making room.

”Quit it.” Zeke bopped Dave on the top of his head with his glove. ”It's almost time to go out and take the field.”

Dave looked like he had been wronged by his brother. He pouted. ”Is that anyway to treat your pitcher who's about to perform?”

Zeke rolled his eyes at the act and walked out of the dugout. ”Let's go. Hands in.” The team all got up and joined him. I hung on the outskirts. ”Win on three. One, two-”

”WIN!” The team shouted in unison. The starters jogged to their positions and the bench players went back to the dugout. Others went to the bullpen.

I ran to my spot, trying not to flinch at the feel of the cold breeze. Mid-February in Northern California only had highs in the 50s. Game three starts at 9am, meaning the temperature was still only 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Mrs. Atkins was well prepared and had long sleeves ready to go in the morning with our freshly washed uniforms.

”Jake! Focus!” Julian rolled me a grounder.

I snapped back to reality and cleanly fielded the grounder. Julian then rolled one to Noah. And then Jason. Then back to me. While we practiced grounders and throwing to first base, Dave was on the mound taking his warmups very seriously, and the outfield were throwing long to one another.

Even though the team was in a happier mood when we left the dugout, it started to revert back.

The umpire called for the balls back. All extra baseballs were sent back to the dugout and we got ready for the batter to step in the box. As soon as the San Marino batter stepped up to the plate, cheers were being yelled out.

”Get him Joey!”

”Start off strong!”

”Get on base or lose your leadoff spot!”

The cheers weren't even coming from their dugout, but from the stands. I looked past the fencing and saw what looked to be like San Marino players in the stand as well as in the dugout. Is their team really big? Why can't all their players be in the dugout?

”Don't get distracted, Bambi!” Noah clapped his glove, getting my attention. ”Dave start with a strikeout like Kyle did!”

Dave looked back at him and tilted his head back, smiling like he already got the strikeout. I'm glad these two were still confident in our win. Add in Zeke and that's three. That's one-third of the starters on the field. Dave turned back to face the batter down.

I also put my focus on the batter and lowered my body to be ready for any grounders hit my way. Ideally Dave would strike every single one of them out and I wouldn't have to worry about fielding errors or getting hurt from a collision. Not realistic at all, I know, but I could dream.