119 Game Four: Paradise Preparatory 2 (1/2)

I fixed my grip and watched the pitcher diligently as he completed his motion. From his release of the pitch, I could tell it was coming faster than before. I felt a tug at my lips. They thought they could just throw 10mph faster to throw me off?

I stepped forward with my left foot and started my swing. The ball met with the sweet part of my bat and flew over the pitchers head, into the outfield.

I sprinted to first and watched as my hit dropped in front of the center fielder. I stopped at first and saw Mahki slide into third to avoid a tag from the relay throw.

”BAMBI!” The guys in the dugout yelled out, all at once. I jumped and looked to my left to see them shaking the dugout fence. Were they going to act this excited every time I get a hit?

I gave them a little nod, then turned my attention back to the game. Zeke was stepping up to the plate. I saw that Mahki started to lead off and I followed suit. I only went five feet off the bag...still traumatized from yesterday's running errors.

But my lead had no affect on the pitching to Zeke. The Paradise Prep pitcher was back to pitching balls all on the outside until it became a 3-0 count. Even the fourth pitch looked to be another ball, but Zeke didn't let it. He took a monstrous step forward, stretched out his arms to swing his bat, and sent the ball flying well over my head. I turned to watch it go over the right field fence.

”Start running!” Coach Luis pulled my attention back.

I hustled around the bases with Zeke barely a step behind. I touched home plate and turned in time just to see him touch it. Mahki gave him a high five and then threw his arm around my shoulders, walking me back to our dugout.

”Wow kid! That was a stellar hit!” Mahki complimented me. ”It looked to be a faster pitch than his normal too!” He pushed me into the dugout first.

Everyone was crowded around. I tried weaving my way through, but ended up being slapped on the helmet by everyone around.

”Great hit.”

”Nice one, Bambi!”

”Hey guys! Back off!” Noah made his way to me and pulled me out. ”Jake is claustrophobic so stop that. You can't do this every time he gets a hit.”

”That definitely fits Bambi's image.” Garret's joke made the team laugh.

I felt my face heat up with all the attention. I quickly went to my bag and put away my bat and helmet. I put my hat on and sat down on the bench.

Noah sat down beside me. ”We really need to work on your baserunning.”

I made a face at him. Did that mean more running at practice?

”Don't look so horrified.” Noah laughed. ”Maybe we can convince Drew that you need to change your focus to learning how to run the bases instead. Don't you want to stop training with Drew?”