189 Game Two: Durham Preparatory 2 (1/2)

After coach announced the lineup, he also informed us that we would get to be the home team since we beat the higher seeded team. That meant, batting at the bottom of the inning and we would get our dugout, the one on the third base side. We haven't played any away games so it's kind of what I'm used to.

When it got closer to warmup time, Zeke led us to the empty dugout to drop off our bags and to get our cleats on. After making sure everything was settled, we started our warmups.

Kyle was noticeably nervous as he tripped over his own feet a couple of times as he watched Durham on the other side of the field. After the fifth bad throw during tosses, Zeke finally went over and spoke to him quietly. After that, Kyle straightened up and his eyes didn't wander to see how the other team was doing.

”What do you think he said to Kyle?” Noah asked for my opinion as we moved to practice fielding.

”If you don't stop fooling around, you'll run laps.” I imitated Zeke as best as I could, even staying expressionless.

Noah cracked up laughing, drawing attention to us. I nudged him. ”Sorry, that was too good. I didn't think you would actually come up with an answer.”

”Then why did you ask?” I mumbled, embarrassed.

Noah shrugged. ”I thought you would say 'I don't know' or something and then I would tell you what I thought Zeke told Kyle.”

I looked around to make sure none of our teammates were too close, then I asked. ”What do you think he said?”

”I bet he threatened to replace Kyle with Dave. That's usually a good motivator to get Kyle to focus. He doesn't like to be one upped by Dave. But same with Dave. Must be hard to have a twin that plays the same position as you. I'm glad none of my brothers play shortstop.”

I nodded. I was happy none of them played second. It was the only suitable position for me. I wonder what position my brother played when he was younger. Was he playing in college or trying to make the cut in the minor leagues? Did he even keep playing baseball after leaving with dad? Maybe he played in high school and stopped after graduating. I think he was seven years older than me so he should be about 21.

”Jake. Jakey. Jakeee.” Noah's constant chatter pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked at him with a blank face. ”Hey, where'd you go? You froze like an old computer.”

I shrugged my shoulders, trying to get rid of the tension that built up. ”I was just thinking.”

”About?” Noah curiously eyed me.

”Freshmen!” Coach's voice could be heard clearly even though he was by home plate. ”Bring it in. Focus on warming up.”

We both shut up, ran to our positions, and didn't talk anymore during warmups. After an hour, the umpires showed up and the stands started to fill up with spectators. We were back in the dugout, waiting to take the field after coach exchanged the lineups with the other team's coach and the umpire.

”Dave, James, Theo, Troy, and Ryan, go to the bullpen with Jordan. You five will be on standby starting from inning one. Make sure to get up every now and then to stretch.” Zeke spoke and the team started to move.

Dave bumped Kyle on his way out. ”Try not to need me too soon.” He laughed as Kyle pushed him out of the dugout.