675 V2 ch147 (1/2)

We warmed up and threw the ball around. I paired up with Kenny, who was quiet but easy to get along with. He didn't mind the looks I would get from our 'teammates' and didn't think it was weird that I only spoke with the pitchers.

Coach Nate put us in the starting lineup again. He would go up first and I would follow at second. As the home team for the game, we had to take the field first. Gavin was the starting pitcher today and performed well. He went three up, three down, with one strikeout.

”Man, after an inning like that, I really don't want to come out!” He sighed as we went back into the dugout.

”Who said you were coming out?” Coach Nate asked.

Gavin's jaw dropped. ”What?! Aren't we only doing an inning each? Do you mean, I can keep going??”

Coach Nate nodded. ”Yes. There are two games today. No point in making pitchers do both. Half will go this game. The other half will pitch tonight.” He looked at the rest of us in the dugout. ”Never assume you know what coaches are planning and thinking. Just because one thing may seem like a given, doesn't mean it can't change.”

”So maybe we can expect Jake to sit an inning?” An outfielder mumbled under his breath, but it was still heard throughout the dugout.

It got real quiet.

”You guys playing or what?” The umpire came over to ask.

”Kenny, Jake, Ricky. Get ready for your at-bats.” Coach Nate said plainly. Almost as if he wasn't staring down the player who had spoken up.

I didn't need to be told twice. I hurried back to my bag, switched out my gear, then hurried out, completely avoiding eye contact with everyone.

Kenny came out after me with a sad smile. ”Don't listen to him. It's not your fault that Coach wants you to play every inning.” He walked to the batter's box, leaving me alone in the on deck circle.

I knew that Kenny was right, I have no control over who plays or doesn't, but I still feel bad for taking up a spot. It's not like I had anything to prove. I didn't come to this camp to impress anyone. I just came so Noah can get to have some fun.

Kenny was able to hit the ball to short right field, making it to first.

I stepped up to bat, getting in the righty's box. This has lined up perfectly. I've gotten a homerun batting right, and now that I'm aiming for homeruns, I feel more comfortable batting from this side. There was a lot to consider when trying to hit a homerun. My swinging speed. The speed of the pitch. Have to hit the right part of the bat and have a good launching angle.

Unfortunately, the ball didn't carry over the fence like I had hoped for. It hit the wall as I rounded first base. The left fielder played it off the wall and got the ball back into the infield just as Kenny was sprinting home. Seeing that they were going to do a relay throw back to home, I didn't bother sliding into second.

Kenny and the ball both arrived at the plate near the same time. The tag came down as he slid hands first into home.

”Out!” The umpire declared.

Crap. I sighed, disappointed.

Kenny hung his head and headed back to the dugout.

The next two batters after me, both hit fly balls, ending the inning.

I jogged back to the dugout.

”Jake. You're moving to right field.” Coach Nate said. ”TJ will be taking over at second.”

I froze and slowly turned to face him. ”Right...field...?”

Coach Nate narrowed his eyes at me. ”Did I stutter?”

I shook my head and hurried to my bag. Put my helmet away, put my hat back on, then grabbed my glove. I ran to the general position of right field and blankly looked at the center fielder. He ignored me and played pass with Kenny, who was playing left field today.

What the heck?

”Jake! Over here!” Someone in foul territory waved at me. Once he had my attention, he threw me a baseball. We played catch too until the game resumed.

I stood out in the field completely lost in open space. How and why did I come to play right field? I tried to think back to the original right fielder. Was he going to be pissed that I took over?