315 Game: VS OLU 3 (1/2)

Noah and I rushed to get our helmets on, grabbed our bats, then stepped out of the dugout. Almost all before Zeke got in from the outfield. Noah was probably just excited to bat while I was nervous to face Zeke. It was only a few days ago, we were bragging about our theoretical practice and now here I am, getting an error in the first inning of an important game.

The pitcher for OLU was average height and average looks. His warmup pitches didn't have me concerned. Just gotta get it to the outfield.

Noah led us off, but his hitting struggles continued. Apparently yesterday's cages session couldn't improve his real life, real situation hitting. He struck out swinging, and was staring at his bat as he went back to the dugout, as if there were imaginary holes in it that he couldn't see.

I stepped into the lefty's box out of habit now. Bat back, elbow up, steady posture. My eyes were trained on the pitcher as he went through his motion. As the pitch came, it almost felt like it was in slow motion for me. Just barely in the 70's. I swung, making a solid connection with the ball, shooting it right over the middle...and right to the center fielder for a line out. Halfway to first, I let out a sigh and turned back. I picked up my dropped bat and went back to the dugout as well.

”You're too impatient.” Coach shook his head at me as soon as I entered. ”I get it. You messed up the throw earlier and wanted to prove yourself at the plate with something that you're good at.”

I gave a nod. That's exactly what I wanted to do.

”You let your emotions leak too much into your play.” Coach looked me in the eyes. ”You have to be rational out there. Don't let outside forces influence what you're meant to do. We've talked about this before, haven't we?”

I nodded, feeling a little bit guilty. ”I'm good at making the pitcher work.”

Coach pointed to the guy on the mound. ”With your one-pitch-at-bat, do you think that kid is sweating over it?”

I hung my head with shame.

A heavy hand patted my shoulder. ”I'm not trying to make you feel bad. Just using this as a coaching moment. I don't care that you got out. It happens to everyone. My job is to challenge you. And I want you to challenge yourself. How many pitches do you think you can make him throw? Five? Ten? Even more?”

I looked up, feeling better but also a little worried. ”I was told not to make them throw too many lest I get hit.”

”You can't be afraid in the box. No matter what. It'll only make you shy away from the game. If you're worried about getting hurt, then your mind isn't on winning.”

”Coach! Are you telling Jake to take one for the team?!” Noah appeared beside me, looking upset.

”No. I'm telling him to be smart. Know when to press on, and when to try and get a hit. Take a walk if you want. Only using up one pitch to get out isn't going to help the team any. Even if that was a hit, I'd be upset with you not making the pitcher work a little more.”

Sudden hollering from the dugout made us look to the field to see what had happened. The baseball was in the dirt near Mahki's feet; he was rubbing his butt.

Noah laughed. ”Took a pitch to the butt? That's the way to go!” He nudged me. ”If you have to take a hit, definitely try and get it to hit the fattest part of you.”