482 CIF Semifinal: Anderson HS 8 (1/2)

My helmet felt too tight when I put it on and my bat felt too heavy in my hands. I could feel the guys in the dugout all glancing my way.

”Do your best!” Coach told me on my way out.

I stiffly moved to the batter's box. The catcher had just gotten back from the mound after a short talk with the pitcher and one of their coaches.

”Batter up.” The umpire's voice was oddly clear, even with the crowds cheering.

I stepped in the box, but the catcher didn't squat back down. He stayed standing, his left hand with the glove on was outstretched, far beyond my reach. They were going to walk me?

The pitcher threw the ball nice and slow, way out of the zone.

”Ball.” The ump said and the catcher threw it back.

I glanced back at my dugout, but no signs came. Zeke stood on the circle, lightly swinging his bat back and forth.

If they weren't going to pitch to me, are they going to pitch to him instead?

I kind of felt relieved. I accepted their intentional walk and jogged to first base after four balls.

”Stay on your toes, kid.” Coach Luis leaned down and whispered in my ear once I reached. ”Be ready for anything.”

I nodded and got set.

Except, the pitcher didn't even bother to look my way. The catcher was still standing as Zeke stepped up to bat. He outstretched his right hand this time, to be out of reach for Zeke. They were walking him too. Unbelievable.

I nervously looked at Garret on deck. They were practically counting on him to get out or even hit into a double play. Garret was crouched in the circle with his bat leaning against him, frowning at the scene.

Zeke was officially walked, pushing me to second base. I jogged there and looked to Mr. Miller by third. I wanted to know what the plan would be.

Mr. Miller looked at Garret while giving the signs, even though one was specifically for me. To run. To run home. As soon as the ball was hit. I gulped. I shook my hands nervously as I took small lead, watching Garret stepping up to bat. He was a true lefty unlike me. Unlike like his last at-bat, Anderson didn't put a left-handed pitcher in again. Whether that's because he earned a double off of him or they just didn't have another one, I don't know.

The catcher finally went into a squat and gave the pitcher some hand signs. The pitcher nodded, looked at me, looked at Zeke, looked back at me, then started his motion. I took a few steps off, getting ready to sprint if needed.

Garret swung, connected, and pulled the pitch way foul along the first baseline. The crowd gasped as the ball left the field. Our dugout could only sigh; too bad it wasn't fair.

I got off the bag and started my lead. The pitch to Garret was a fastball away. Garret swung, and the ball went to the opposite field, dropping between left and center field. I took off.

Mr. Miller waved me on like crazy on my way to third, so I only slowed down long enough to make the turn and head home.

”Down!”

”Slide!”

”Ball, ball, ball!”

”Runner!”

Yells came from all around, none of them were really distinguishable.

The catcher got into position in front of home plate as I came running in. His eyes weren't on me, but in the direction of where the ball went. It must be coming in. I really dug in and just as the catcher moved in anticipation to catch the ball, I dove at home plate at his feet.

The catcher's knee came down on the back of my leg.

”Safe!”

The crowd roared.

I hopped up and happily limped back to my dugout, meeting Coach halfway. Drew wasn't far behind him, also rushing out of the dugout.

”Jake, are you alright?” Coach asked first.

I smiled. ”We're tied.”

Coach fought off a smile. ”Not bad.”

”How bad is it?” Drew asked, kneeling down by my injured leg.

I waved him away. ”It's fine! I'm fine!” We were tied at 8! ”It's just going to bruise.”

Drew didn't accept my rejection. He put his arm under mine and helped me back to the dugout.

Noah was the first player to come up to me. ”Jake!”

I smiled at him and he immediately relaxed.

”What are you doing here?!” Coach shooed him away. ”Get on deck. Take some practice swings.”

Noah saluted him like a soldier and jogged our with his bat.

”Does this hurt?” Drew flexed my foot back and forth.

”Not much. It's just a bruise Drew.” I said, feeling exasperated.