692 V2 ch164 (2/2)

Seeing that Brian wasn't going to be abled to make the catch, I took off. I wanted to score. This was a well hit ball, and I'm faster than I used to be. I can do this. I tagged third and headed home. Bryce was picking up Mahki's bat out of the way and gestured for me to slide.

I clenched my teeth and dove for home plate, stretching out my hands. I felt the dirt scratch up my hands, the smoothness of home plate, and then a heavy pat on my arms.

”Safe!” Mr. Miller declared.

Bryce pulled me up and dusted me off. ”Way to get it, Bambi!” He gave me a slap on the back and I went stumbling back to my dugout.

Jason nodded at me as I passed him by in the on deck circle. ”Good to see that you didn't slack off this summer.”

I grinned. He doesn't even know that I've been practicing for homeruns yet. I wonder if they'll be surprised.

Inside the dugout, I was greeted by high-fives, fist bumps, and compliments. This was my team. Nothing like being in that camp where everyone was looking out for themselves.

Dave cut the smack talk after giving up the run, and put some more effort in his pitches, aiming for the corners of the strike zone. He got both Bryce and Jason to strikeout looking, to end the inning. His team went to their dugout as we came out of ours.

Kyle got on the mound and stretched before doing some warmup pitches with Alex. I let out a small gasp as I watched. Kyle...had changed his motion. Not just a few tweaks like Dave...but, completely changed. Him and Dave...won't be the same anymore.

I wasn't the only one to notice. I could hear a few murmurs and mumbles from around, but no one outright said anything or asked Kyle what he was doing. If this was the path he was going to take...he had to do it on his own. None of us were pitching coaches.

Brian was surprisingly their lead off man. I've seen him hit before, but not very often. At least, not enough to cheat a certain way or another. It didn't matter, because Brian connected on the first pitch, hitting it above my reach towards center field. Mahki came sprinting in, picked up the ball, and threw it to me before Brian could make a try for second base.

I threw the ball back to Kyle on the mound.

”Tsk.” I heard him let out before he faced his next batter, Noah.

Everyone got set.

Kyle checked on Brian at first before starting his motion and throwing a fastball towards Noah. Literally. He threw the ball at Noah's feet. Noah was quick enough to hop out of the way, but Alex couldn't get in front of the wild pitch. The ball hit the backstop and Brian was already halfway to second. Garret covered second base, but by the time Alex got the ball and turned to us, there was no chance for a play.

Alex called for 'time' and walked the ball back to the mound, where Kyle was. Garret also made a move for the mound, getting the rest of us infielders to follow.

”Dude, what's happening?” Garret slapped Kyle on the back in a relaxed manner.

Kyle rolled his eyes and stepped away from Garret. He accepted the ball from Alex. ”Still adjusting throwing to actual players okay.”

Garrets eyebrows raised. ”This new?”

”Just got back last night.” Kyle answered. He shrugged his shoulders up and down, then shook out his arms. ”It's hard to change my motion in a week, okay? Plus, we didn't have a whole lot of batters to pitch against. I'm good in the pen, but I just feel like I'm going to hit the batter with my new form.”

”Hit them.” Alex shrugged. ”For the most part, they'll be abled to dodge like Noah. Just relax and focus on every movement for now. Coach can probably help guide you when the camp starts.”

Kyle nodded.