708 V2 ch180 (2/2)

”So did one of the other guys, but he wasn't as perfect as Jake.”

I thought about the difference between me and everyone else and came to a conclusion. A conclusion with a few answers. I looked at Mr. Miller, wondering if I was supposed to speak up.

He caught me looking and nodded towards me. ”Go ahead, Jake.” The group got quiet.

”I think...” I cleared my throat again. ”The others...they hesitate.”

”I don't.” Someone claimed.

”I don't think I do either.”

”Well, maybe a little, but that's just because I'm new to this kind of drill.”

”It's not-” I tried to stop them, but they were too busy talking amongst themselves. A lot of them were starting to compare their swings, swinging their bats dangerously close to other players. I gulped.

”Don't mind them, Jake.” Andy stepped forward, making eye contact with me. ”I want to hear what you have to say.”

I smiled lightly. ”Okay.” I noticed two other freshmen stepping a little closer to show that they were listening, so I tried to raise my voice above the chatter. ”When I say you guys are hesitating, I mean, you're trying to change your whole swing just after he tells you where the pitch is going to be.”

”Is that wrong?” One of the freshman asked.

”Well for this drill specifically, yes.” I said. The three of them looked confused. ”But it's extremely helpful to real games. You're never going to know for sure what the pitch will throw. Usually we look for a specific pitch to hit. Ideally something down the middle. Not every pitcher will throw what we want though. This drill, I think, can help batters fouling off pitches they aren't aiming for.”

I took a deep breath and continued on. ”But back to hesitating. Instead of changing your whole swing, move your wrists.” I stepped back to the baseball tees and showed them again. ”So step and swing, move wrists accordingly.” I straightened up and faced them. ”You really only need to hear in, move wrists down, tuck back elbow in. Out, you extend back elbow.” I tried to show them again, slowly. ”Really if you keep practicing, you won't even have to think about it during this drill. It's much harder in the game.”

”Harder in the game..?” A freshman looked a little depressed.

I shrugged. ”Well, yea. In this drill, the ball is completely stationary. It's not moving at all so you could do this blindfolded.”

”Did you hear what Jake just said?” Someone who wasn't originally listening, overheard my last comment and drew attention to me.

”There's no way.”

”He's gotta be lying.”

”I want to see him try.”

”Okay, that's enough discussion.” Mr. Miller cut in. ”Let's do another round, starting with Korrey again. Everyone will get twenty swings this time.” He glanced at me. ”Thanks for sharing, Jake. Those that heard you may have gained some enlightenment. You can go back now.”

I nodded and went to the back of the line with Andy following me. The other two freshmen also followed but I don't think they were originally in the back like me and Andy.

Andy greeted them with a head nod. He glanced at me. ”This is Davin and this is Andre. Both are freshmen like me.” He pointed at me. ”Jake.”

Andre nodded and his smile stretched across his face. ”Nice to meet you, man. I followed your stats online and definitely didn't imagine you to be so small.”

I tried not to frown as I looked at him. ”You're only a couple of inches taller.” Maybe about the same height as Noah.

He laughed. ”I didn't mean in reference to me. Your batting average is so impressive. If I had to guess, I would imagine someone like Zeke Atkins.”