The Hitting Zone

I couldn't wrap my head around a pitcher's mentality. I don't have whatever you're supposed to have. The endurance. The strength. The speed. It just sounds very draining.

Korrey popped out to the third baseman, followed by a groundout to second from Mitchell. Bottom of the seventh we go.

Coach came out with us, going to the umpire to announce a pitcher change.

Noah, Sean, Jason, and I stood on the infield grass together, watching Brian come from the bullpen.

"What's up, guys?" Brian joined us, giving each of us a fist bump.

"You ready for this?" Sean asked. "These guys aren't a walk in the park."

Brian played with his glove, squishing it open and closed. "I know. I want this shot to face one of the best teams in the state."

"You've got it tough." Noah patted his shoulder. "Be wary of the cleanup hitter. Don't be afraid to walk him."

"He's the only one that has gotten hits off of Kyle, right?" Brian double checked with us.

We all nodded.

"I say we keep it low." Mitchell covered his mouth with his glove as he spoke. "It'll be hard for him to get it out of the park then."

"That's only if you get the batter before him out." Sean covered his mouth too. "I think I'm with Noah on walking the guy. Especially if the batter before him gets on."

"Okay, I've got it." Brian nodded back.

After a few more words, we split up to leave him alone on the mound. Mitch went back behind the plate to catch some practice pitches while the rest of us fielded some grounders.

Brian was up against batters three, four, and five. He started a little wild, getting to a 2-0 count before batter three hit a long one, dead center. Garret chased it back, put a hand on the fence, then used the fence to get a better jump on the ball. He came down with it and saved the game.

I put a hand to my chest, trying to calm down. It was almost like my heart stopped. Now it was racing. I don't know how Garret does it. No way I could stay calm enough to get that ball. Heck, I don't even think I would be tall enough.

"One out! Two to go!" Noah had gotten the ball back from Garret and threw it to Brian on the mound.

Brian didn't look unsettled despite that near homerun. That doesn't mean he doesn't feel it though. His first two pitches to the cleanup hitter, bounced before getting to the plate. It was ugly.

"Stay calm." Noah raised his voice so Brian could hear him.

Brian nodded to himself as he toed the rubber. He didn't look back at us, his attention was on the cleanup hitter. The only one to kick our butt today.

Brian threw his third pitch, low and away. The cleanup hitter swung and hit the ball the opposite way, just over Sean's head. It bounced and went into the corner. Very similar to my last hit.

Tanner ran it down and I ran out to the grass to be the cutoff. From what I knew of this guy, he was definitely going to go for two. Tanner got to the ball, picked it up, and threw it to me, showing off some amazing accuracy. I tried not to think too much as I transitioned the ball from glove to hand, then threw to second base where I knew Noah would be.

What I didn't expect was that the cleanup hitter had already slid into second base. Easily safe.

"Time." Noah looked to the ump.

The umpire granted it.

Noah waved us in as he jogged to the mound. I hurried in with Sean, Jason, and even Mitchell from behind the plate.

"Shit." Brian said under his breath.

"Don't worry. We're still in it." Jason gave his back a pat.

"Exactly." Noah nodded in agreement. He lifted his glove to cover his mouth and lowered his voice. "We all know the situation. We're tied in the bottom of the last inning. They have a runner in scoring position that we have to stop no matter what. Anything in the infield, check runner, then throw to first."

"Shouldn't we get the guarantee out?" I asked, unsure. "That would put us with two outs and probably a runner on third. He's fast."

"Maybe if it was another team up to bat." Noah shook his head. "We can't forget what kind of team University is." He looked to Brian. "Don't force yourself too much. Keep it close to the zone. Heck, a walk wouldn't be so bad either, because then we can force a double play. Just no hits."

Brian nodded.

The home plate umpire came to break us up. Brian was given the ball back and we got into position. He performed better against batter five, getting him to foul twice, cornering him at 0-2. The batter connected on an outside ball, hitting a grounder between first and second. It was out of Sean's reach. I made a dive to stop it from getting to the outfield grass. My chin hit the dirt, making my teeth rattle.

I used the gloved hand to flick the ball up to Sean since he was on his feet. I don't know if the runner on second was trying for third. He must have because as soon as Sean had the ball, he threw to third and didn't pay attention to the batter running to first.

I pushed myself up from the dirt and got to my feet in time to see Jason chasing the runner back to second. Noah was holding up his arms to make an 'x'. He didn't want Jason to throw? We could do a rundown though. I frowned as the runner got to be safe back at second.

"Time."

A timeout was called once more.

"You alright?" Sean said to me.

I looked at him, confused. "What? Yea."

Sean looked to our dugout and waved. Coach and Mr. Miller came running out.

I was even more confused as the pair approached me. They weren't the only ones. Noah, Brian, Mitchell and Jason. Two umpires.

Mr. Miller held a towel out towards my face. "Here. Hold this to your chin."

"What?" I touched my chin. It stung. I looked at the small amount of blood on my chin.

"Looks like a good size raspberry." Coach muttered.

"A what?" I asked, letting Mr. Miller hold the towel to my chin.

"Just a flesh wound." Noah waved me off. "Put a bandaid on and he's good to go."

I nodded. Sounds fine then.

"Stop moving." Mr. Miller instructed. "Tilt your head back and let us get a better look."

"Let's get an athletic trainer to look at it." One of the umpires said. "That or take him back to the dugout."

"You want us to play without our best player?" Noah's voice raised an octave.

"The trainer is coming into the field now." Sean said.

"If the bleeding won't stop or if the trainer decides it's too deep, then he's out of here." The umpire told Coach directly.