440 Game @ Servite (pregame) (1/2)

Sunday, Noah convinced Zeke to join us at the park to help with our fielding. After taking turns fielding the ball that Zeke would hit our way, Noah told me we should try some barehanded plays.

"Think about it, Jake." Noah explained. "If the runner has a good lead off first base, we'll have to be even faster. Take the glove out of the equation and that'll save us some time."

I glanced at Zeke, unconvinced.

Zeke scrunched up his nose for a quick second. "It's not a bad idea, but it's a little too late. We can't risk any injury so close to game time." He looked down at Noah. "You know how easy it is to sprain or jam a finger on those kind of plays. Especially if we do it repetitively. Keep it simple. There's no need to push it for double plays." He shifted his gaze to me. "If you're scared that there'll be a collision, just get the first out and then move out of the way."

We both nodded at Zeke's instructions.

"I know you think tomorrow's game is important." Zeke said towards Noah. "But, there's an even bigger picture."

Noah perked up. "CIF playoffs?!?"

Zeke shared a small smile and a slight nod.

The rest of the afternoon, Noah moved around like an energetic bunny. Nothing could calm him down. Anything that Zeke would hit his way, Noah would chase down. Even if it was overshot, Noah chased the ball down to the outfield and would make a dive at it.

I tried to share in his excitement....really. It's just, I don't think I shared the same amount of love Noah had for baseball. Less love equals less excitement.

I didn't let that get me down though. I had to work just as hard, if not harder, to keep up with Noah. Even if I didn't find baseball 'fun', I still didn't want to let the team down. Let the Atkins down. Let Noah down. Like Coach said before, ask what you can do for the team. What can I do? I can practice my fielding. I can show off my batting skills in the game.

***

1 SS Noah Atkins

2 2B Jake Hollander

3 LF Garret Knudsen

4 CF Zeke Atkins

5 1B Julian Wilson

6 RF Mahki Holstrom

7 3B Jason Morris

8 C Alex Farrell

9 P Kyle Atkins

Coach announced the lineup on our way to Servite High School. He stared at us for a minute, looking around the silent bus. "This is it boys. Last game of the regular season. If you want to play more, you have to win. That's all there is to it."

The atmosphere was solemn.

Coach grinned. "No need to be so scared. You boys have had an amazing season. You all have improved and come this far. So why not push it further?"

"Let's win!" Noah hollered, standing up.

"Yea!"

"Of course!"

"We don't need you to tell us that!"

"Yea! Sit down freshmeat!"

"So rude." Noah huffed, sitting back in his seat.

Coach nodded. "That's the kind of enthusiasm I want to see out there today. Don't worry about anything else but this game." He looked around. "I'll be using the bullpen as much as I have to. The next game won't exist unless we win this one."

"I can do this!" Kyle flexed his arm from his seat. "You guys can rely on me!"

"We can't even rely on you to watch a game." Garret snorted.