685 V2 ch157 (1/2)
We listened as he showed us another video of the same player hitting another pitch that's high. ”See!? That's what I'm aiming for!”
Zeke frowned and spoke up first. ”It's an option, but don't go chasing it.”
”I know.” Noah nodded. ”This player doesn't do it all the time. It's only when he's been thrown a lot of low pitches and is expecting the next pitch to be high.”
”I think it's fine.” Rhys said. ”You executed very well today and showed that your decision-making is maturing. With your speed, almost anything to the outfield could be a double.”
Noah grinned. ”Thanks, Rhys.” He looked at me. ”How was your game, Jake?”
”It was okay. Walk, single, homerun, then a fly out to left field.” I answered. ”We won 5-4.”
”How many RBI's??”
I thought about it. ”Four.”
”Amazing! You did practically all the work.” He grinned. ”Did you leave anything for Landon?”
”Landon got two hits and two runs.” I told him.
We talked about our games until we got back to the dormitory. Rhys and Zeke left us to help the other coaches and staff in the cafeteria. We cleaned up and packed up everything before going to the cafeteria for lunch.
A few players came down with their bags, saying their goodbyes as they headed to the cafeteria.
”You guys didn't bring your bags down?” Travis asked.
”Nah, we have to wait for Zeke and everything so we'll wait.” Noah told him. He looked at his bags. ”Are you leaving right away?”
Travis gave a small nod. ”Right after lunch. Have to hit the road and beat the Friday rush hour traffic.”
Inside the cafeteria, players and staff were either standing up or taking up table space. Someone had reserved a few tables for pizza and drinks. A bigger table had some of the staff passing out the goodie bags with the evaluation results.
I thought for sure Noah would want to get his evaluation sheet, but instead he said, ”Let's go get some pizza first.”
I looked at him.
He shrugged. ”That evaluation doesn't mean much to me. I'm not the same player I was on Monday.”
My lips twitched. ”It's only been five days...”
”Yep!” He grinned. ”And I feel like I've learned a lot. I can see why the twins like going to camps like these.” He looked me in the eyes. ”Don't you feel like you're a better player than on Monday?”
I hesitated.
”Come on.” Noah nudged me. ”Your fielding looked way smoother yesterday than during the evaluations. Chandler really demonstrated all kinds of drills for us, and you're going to say you're not a better player?”
”Well...I do think his drills helped.” I admitted. ”I feel a little more confident in fielding. And I know what to work on. It's just...”
”Thinking about your time with those minor leaguers?” Noah read my mind.
I nodded.
”I feel challenged.” I clenched my fists, and unclenched them. ”You weren't there, but it was completely one-sided. I couldn't do anything. I felt like...”