113 Game Three: San Marino 8 (1/2)

Dave was up to bat first. Daniel was in the on deck circle. I stood in the hole, still lost in my thoughts.

I was mindlessly watching Dave's at bat when I noticed that one of the pitches was heading right to him. My mouth opened to say something, but it was useless. Dave turned away as it bounced off his butt.

”Dead ball. Take your base.” The umpire declared.

Dave tossed his bat to the dugout and then limped-jogged to first. I stepped out to go to the on deck circle, but coach cut me off and went out first.

He walked straight to the home plate umpire. ”Listen ump, this is getting ridiculous. My boys are getting hurt left and right here. Either reign them in or eject them.”

The ump had taken off his mask to speak with Coach. ”Nothing out of the ordinary. Get back to your dugout before I eject you.”

Zeke came out of the dugout and guided coach back. He looked at me. ”Just walk.”

I blinked. Okay. I stepped to the circle and Daniel moved to the batters box. Daniel, in my opinion, was nowhere near Noah's level. His fielding was only lacking a little, but his bat wasn't any good. He went 0-2 in game two yesterday, after getting the start over Noah. Today he easily struck out in three pitches. What a waste.

I glanced back at Zeke to make sure he didn't want me to foul. He just stared me down, not touching his nose at all. Okay. Whatever he says, goes. I got in the batters box. As far as I could tell, this pitcher didn't throw any breaking balls so he wasn't very interesting anyways.

I easily earned my walk and took first base, moving Dave up to second. Dave clapped and yelled, ”That's the way to work it, Bambi.”

I raised an eyebrow. What. I think my last at bat was better than this one. I didn't even have to work as hard. There was no sense of satisfaction in this walk.

”Just ignore him.” Coach Luis grumbled.

I nodded and focused on Mahki's at bat. The first pitch came, and he took it as a called strike. So annoying, he does this too often. He got ready for the next pitch. The pitcher began his motion and planted his left leg just as his dugout yelled, ”Runner!”

Startled, I went back to first and looked to second to see what Dave was doing. But Dave was no longer there. By the time I looked over, he was already hugging third base. Whhaattt. Did I miss a steal sign again..? I looked to the dugout, and the team was cheering but coach wasn't even smiling. Uhhh. I looked to Zeke, at the on deck circle. He was resting his bat on his shoulder and frowning at Dave on third. Uh oh. I was nervous seeing those two upset, but at least it wasn't at me this time.

The pitcher got the ball back and angrily toed the rubber. His frustration was written all over his face. He faced Mahki once more, but without concentrating clearly, he threw an easy pitch that Mahki was able to send to the outfield.