Chapter 781 - V3 ch16 (1/2)

”The ALCS starts on Saturday.” Noah told me, looking at his phone. ”The A's get to be home for game one. Then travel to New York on Sunday, then stay for three straight away games: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Off Thursday, play game five on Friday, if they need to. Potential game six would be Saturday and game seven would be Sunday.”

”It's a seven-game series.” I stated, understanding that they might only have to play four games. Or all seven. It just depends. ”Do you think the A's can win?”

Noah nodded. ”Of course I do!”

I smiled.

The rest of the school week flew by, with the only excitement coming from Friday's practice. We scrimmaged and then I got to face a few of the pitchers afterwards. After a month of this, most of the regular players stopped trying to pitch to me.

”You feel any improvements among those repeat challengers?” Coach asked me afterwards.

I unlaced my cleats and put on my regular shoes. ”Not really.” I paused. ”Well, I don't give too much of a chance for them to throw more than a pitch or two. Do you want me to?” I looked up at him.

Coach shook his head. ”No. Just checking to see if you saw anything special that I couldn't.”

I gave a small shake of my head. I felt like most of my challengers were freshmen and sophomores. Not to bash on their skill due to age, but I just think upperclassman have more of an advantage when it comes to pitching. They're physically better all around.

Coach let out a small sigh. ”Don't worry about it then. When the fall sports end at the start of November, we'll start seeing some more players joining us. I'll pick out the last challenge date to be right before thanksgiving break. I'm sure that'll motivate some of the older boys. Especially if they aren't sure if they'll make the varsity roster.”

”Okay.” I nodded, happy to hear that there would be some changes next month.

”Have you and Garret faced one another yet?” He asked.

I shook my head. ”Our weekends haven't really lined up.” I was either gone or he was busy. ”I told him we could just do it here on Fridays, but he said he didn't want to embarrass me.”

Coach let out a short laugh. ”That kid...”

”You're not talking about me, are you?” Noah had walked over to join us.

”No. Garret.” I told him.

”What about him?”

I shrugged and looked at Coach.

Coach waved his hand around. ”Don't worry about it. I'll have a talk with him to see what he's been doing. Get on out of here and enjoy your weekend.”

”Bye, Coach.” I waved after getting my bag on my shoulder.

”See ya on Monday!” Noah called out to his back.

Coach waved again but didn't look back.

Noah and I left the field and joined the twins at the car. Even though Jeremy had a home game tomorrow night, we decided not to go this weekend. Mom and Dad had a lot of work to catch up on and just couldn't make the drive. It didn't help that Zeke and Rhys had a school thing going on so they couldn't meet up with us either.