623 V2 ch95 (1/2)

Rhys and Noah started to discuss the few players that have broken their own leg by fouling off a pitch into themselves. Surprisingly, the number was low. Maybe once or twice a season, it'll happen to an unlucky batter. The only question I had now was, am I lucky? I wouldn't say so before, but lately I've been feeling good about my life.

I frowned as I replayed what had happened. I swung my bat low, but the pitch was definitely going to be a ball. I only reached it because I brought my hands straight down. That, plus the spin of the ball, is what probably led to me getting hurt. I swallowed a lump in my throat and looked at Noah. ”Can you...go get my bat?” I had a bad hunch that something bad happened.

Noah was surprised by my request, but still got up. ”Yea! Sure! I'll be right back!” He took off running to the bullpen.

Rhys and Zeke exchanged looks, but didn't say anything. They just waited near me in silence. Noah came jogging back, not looking very good. I gulped.

Noah placed the bat on the table. ”At least it was the bat I bought.”

The thin part of the barrel, close to the handle, was smashed in. I broke my third bat. I felt the urge to cry.

”Hey, hey! It's okay!” Rhys patted me on the head. ”I'll replace it. I can get you a new bat just like this one. It's my fault after all.”

I shook my head. ”It's not your fault. I knew I shouldn't use the thin part of the bat.” Mr. Williams reminded me when we had gotten this bat. I sighed and held back the tears. Noah was right, at least it wasn't the bat Jeremy gave me.

”No, really. Some of the fault is on me too.” Rhys told me. ”My dad has some friends so he can probably get us a few bats for free. It's gotta be tough to use a wood bat, worry about breaking it, and then worry about money to get a new one.”

I looked up at him, hopeful.

Zeke shook his head. ”We'll have to be careful about that. Jake could ruin his eligibility if that counts as a 'gift'.”

Rhys looked down at me, apologetic. ”Let me talk to my dad. He'll know what to do.”

I'm starting to get the feeling that Rhys was 'too' easygoing. He let the adults around him decide what should happen or what should be done. He wasn't as decisive as Zeke or as independent.

”Jake! I've got Mary on the phone!” Mrs. Johnson came back outside and placed her cellphone on the table, pushing some of the snacks away. ”Okay Mary, I have you on speaker. All the boys are here.”

”Jake?” Mom called out from the phone.

”Yea?” I answered.

”How you feeling, kiddo?” Dad asked. They must be on speaker too.

I glanced at the ice piled onto my leg. ”There's a little of ice on my leg so it's not as bad as it was.”

”He fouled off a 90mph slider into his own leg.” Noah told them. ”I'm pretty sure it's already swollen. Do you think we should take him to the hospital?”

”Not yet, Mrs. Atkins!” Rhys told her.

”I'll go call her on the landline.” Mrs. Johnson left us again, heading back inside.

”Zeke?” Dad asked. ”How does it look? Is there bruising?”

Zeke lifted some of the bags of ice and took a look. ”It's starting to bruise. It's swollen too. I'm not a doctor, but I think if you guys were here, you would take him to the hospital.”

”What about the A's game?” Noah asked.

”I guess I'll have to tell Jeremy that I can't make it.” I sighed.