Chapter 823 - V3 ch58 (VS Balboa HS 6) (1/2)

I didn't have time to eavesdrop or see what was going on. The bottom of the fifth started with Noah so I had to hurry to the on deck circle. My hurrying was insignificant though. The coach for the other team came out to tell the umpire of a pitching change so we had time.

Noah backed off the plate and sauntered back my way. He didn't say anything to me, and just watched the new pitcher throw some practice pitches off the mound. Noah was solely concentrating on him. I don't know if it helped, but Noah was able to make contact on the first pitch, a high fastball. Noah had changed his swing and pulled the ball to left field.

He started to run to first as the left fielder sprinted to get under the ball. The left fielder made the catch and Noah was out. Tsk. Great contact.

Noah jogged back to the dugout and I moved to the batter's box. The catcher stood standing, not squatting behind home plate. My eye twitched.

The pitcher threw a ball way outside for an intentional ball one. Sure enough...

I held back my sigh and tried to pump myself up. A free base. It's still good for the team. I dropped my bat and jogged to first base. Coach Luis nodded at me.

The new pitcher on the mound faced Jesse next, and was able to get him to strike out, swinging. Unexpectedly, Garret struck out in a similar fashion to end the inning. Garret only had a sacrifice fly from the first inning and that was it. No hits for him today.

Top of the sixth, Coach let Kyle go back out on the mound. Whatever they talked about must not have too much of an impact on whether Kyle gets to keep pitching, because Coach didn't even step out after Kyle gave up a single to start off the inning.

The next batter hit a hard grounder between me and Sean. Sean reached it first, diving in the dirt. He jumped to his feet and threw the way he was facing: to Noah at second base.

”Out.”

Noah threw to Kyle, who went to cover first.

”Safe.”

Another failed attempt at a double play. At least this time was too close to call. Kyle went back to the mound and the batter got to stay on first.

Sean paused by me as we were going back to our positions. ”My bad. I should have let you gotten that.”

I shrugged. ”I don't think I can do any better than what you did. I would have probably just thrown to you at first.” The runner had a good lead and I was facing the wrong way.

Sean went to first base to hold the runner there while I moved back to the grass so I could cut off more angles.

Kyle was facing the eighth batter in the lineup, who has struck out twice. And that's probably why we let our guards down. On the very first pitch, the runner on first base took off.

”Safe.” The umpire declared.

I glanced at the old man as I walked away from the collision. I had a small limp thanks to the player hitting into my ankle.

Noah came over. ”You good?”

I shook my foot. ”Yea. Just got me good.” I lowered my voice. ”Is this ump blind or what?”

Noah pursed his lips and whispered back. ”Don't think too much about it. At least he's not making the calls at home plate.” He took the ball out of my glove and threw it to Kyle, who stepped off the rubber. ”He's fine.”