Chapter 461 - CIF Quarterfinal Northwood HS (2) (1/2)
Drew was very strict in what I could and couldn't do, but I wasn't in a position to argue. He lectured me the whole time as he covered my arm with gauze, some padding, and then wrapped it. ”This will help only a little. Try not to foul off a million pitches like normal. Pick one to swing at. Ideally, if you could walk at every at-bat, then we could prevent you from swinging and aggravating the cut.”
”I only earn walks by fouling off the balls in the zone.” I pointed out.
His face twitched. ”Okay. No. I'll talk to Coach for you. I don't know if he'll allow you to play with this restriction, but for now, go jog some.”
Drew spoke with Coach as I jogged around, but Coach seemed okay with what he had to say since I was still in the lineup when he announced it before game time.
1 1B Julian Wilson
2 2B Jake Hollander
3 LF Garret Knudsen
4 CF Zeke Atkins
5 RF Mahki Holstrom
6 C Kelvin Bender
7 3B Jason Morris
8 SS Noah Atkins
9 P Dave Atkins
”This is it boys.” Coach said in a calm voice. ”This is what we worked for. CIF. You're here. Today, you'll have to put in 110% effort to match up with these kids. They're just like you, league champs and they're working for the same goal: CIF champs. You'll have to prove that you want it more.”
”This is just a stepping stone.” Noah smirked. ”Quarterfinalist doesn't sound as good as champs, Coach.”
Coach nodded in agreement. He glanced at Zeke.
Zeke looked at all of us. ”I don't want the season to end just yet.”
”Yeah!!” The team echoed. That's all Zeke had to say to get the excitement going in the dugout.
Coach turned in our lineup slip to the umpires and Zeke went out to shake hands with the opposing captain. The stands had started to fill up, but not with kids. It was mostly adults, probably parents and grandparents, and then scouts. A lot of those men in the stands had notepads in their laps and pens in hands.
”You still have a chance to get noticed, Jules!” Noah nudged the senior that was putting on his helmet. ”Community college is such a waste.”
Julian shook his head at Noah's statement. ”Everyone has their own path. A four-year college isn't always the best idea. Especially without scholarship offers.” He grabbed his bat and left the dugout.
”Is he really so worried about money?” Noah said to himself. ”He could always get student loans.”
”Don't be so nosey.” Garret slapped Noah on the head. ”Everyone's got their own set of problems, ya know.”
”I know, I know.” Noah pushed Garret away. He glanced to me. ”Are you ready, Jake?”