The Hitting Zone

1 RF Bryce Finn

2 SS Noah Atkins

3 2B Jake Atkins

4 CF Garret Knudsen

5 3B Jason Morris

6 LF Korrey Alvarrez

7 1B Sean Isner

8 C Mitchell Torres

9 P Dave Atkins

The lineup was given and warmups were done. The top of our order started getting ready for the start of the game.

"I think we know that guy." Bryce lowered his voice, speaking to me and Noah.

Noah and I were both taken aback.

I scratched my cheek. "Did he pitch in the game I didn't go to?"

Bryce shook his head. "No. We didn't play against him in either game." He glanced our way. "He played in that game against Servite. Against Sanchez. We were surprised that they didn't go with Brady, remember? I think he was the same grade as me."

Noah started to nod. "Okay, yea. I think I remember. Servite made a lot of contact early, but didn't score until later on."

"Yea, Golden West was relying a lot on their fielding in that game." Bryce said. "He gave up a killer three run homer before getting pulled so he's not unbeatable."

We nodded. We all had some small impression of this guy. Bryce and Noah left the dugout to take their practice swings. Garret soon joined me in the hole, pulling his batting gloves on.

The pitcher finished his practice pitches off the mound and Bryce's name was announced over the loudspeaker. Bryce went up to the batter's box and got set. He let the first pitch pass for a called strike, prompting some cheers from the home crowd in the stands. The second pitch looked like it would be in the zone too so Bryce swung, sending it to right field. The right fielder jogged backwards a couple of yards before making the catch for the first out.

Bryce came back and I went out; Noah moved to the batter's box. There wasn't much to say when Bryce had only seen two pitches. Noah's first pitch was also in the zone. He didn't let it pass, making solid contact. Unfortunately, it was a line drive straight to the shortstop. Three pitches, two outs.

"His pitches are too tempting to not swing at." Noah complained as he went back in the dugout.

I moved to the batter's box, choosing to bat as a lefty. I knew what I had to do in this first at bat. Give this guy a hard time on the mound. He can't get away doing just a handful of pitches of every inning. Not unless he gives up real hits.

The first pitch fell in for a called strike. As did pitch two. Pitch three looked the same, but I swung late to foul it down the line. Fouled pitch four, five, and six too. I started to frown, realizing this guy hasn't missed the strike zone yet. Very good control.

Mr. Miller got my attention and gave me the sign to hit. I guess he didn't want me to waste anymore pitches. I sent pitch seven to right field, dropping it in the grass before the outfielder could reach. Just a single.

Coach Luis gave me a pat on the helmet. "Way to lay it down."

I nodded.

Garret came up next. He fouled some line drives down the line before straightening one out to center. The center fielder made a leap and snatched it before it could get over his head.

I jogged back to the dugout, meeting up with Garret and Coach.

"This guy really isn't afraid to pitch to contact." Garret commented.

I nodded in agreement.

"We've got to hit more grounders." Coach noted. He looked to me. "You did well racking up the count, but I have a feeling that his endurance isn't too bad. That's why I asked Miller to get you to hit."

I nodded again.

He looked to Garret. "You have to commit to try to get the ball low or try to use your power to send it out."

Garret nodded.

We went back to our bags and switched out our gear, leaving the dugout together to take our positions like the other starters already had.

Bottom of the first with Dave on the mound. He started out strong, getting the first batter to go down swinging. First out, first strikeout of the game. He grinned as I heard our parents cheered his name. The next batter pulled a grounder to Noah's backhand. Noah stopped the ball from getting through, transitioned the ball to his throwing hand as he spun around, and was able to throw the guy out at first.

"Nice throw!"

"Good job, Noah!"

"More like that, Dave!"

Dave got the ball back and got set for the third batter. The batter pulled the first pitch down the left field line. Korrey sprinted to the line and made a sliding catch before the ball could touch the grass. He jumped up and threw the ball back in, excited.

"Great catch!"

"Nice one!"

"Way to save it!"

Our team jogged back to the dugout in good spirits.

"Looking good." Coach nodded at Dave.

Dave grinned and flexed his right bicep. "Feeling good." He then patted Noah on the head. "That was a nice backhand. Good range."

Noah chuckled. "Of course. I've practiced enough to have it down. Nothing's going to get by me this year."

Noah and I sat down together as the middle of our lineup started the second inning. Coach talked to Jason, Korrey, and Sean about what we observed in the first inning. Jason tried his best to keep his bat over the ball, hitting a grounder down the line. But the third baseman made a barehand catch and threw him out at first. Korrey hit a long fly ball to left that the outfielder caught at the warning track. Sean's first at bat back from injury didn't go smoothly either. On an 0-2 count, he checked his swing, drawing it back too late, but it didn't matter. The ball was still in the zone.

"This guy is pretty risky." Noah said as we put our gloves back on.

I nodded. "He really trusts his fielders. Dave is very similar though." I eyed Noah. "You know this guy is throwing nothing but strikes, right?"

"Clearly." Noah snorted.

I covered my mouth with my glove and lowered my voice. "Drop a surprise bunt next time. I bet you'll beat it out. The corners play back to stop anything from bouncing through."

Noah grinned and slapped me on the back. "Yes!! Good thinking!" He practically skipped to his position, probably already thinking that he'll be on base the next time he's up. Hopefully one of the three before him get on to give him a chance in the third. If not, that's okay too. He could lead off the fourth and I'll follow up by driving him home. I felt pretty good myself as we got ready to do the bottom of the second half.

The cleanup hitter hit a long fly to the right field fence, but Bryce chased it back and made another stellar catch. His second in two games. Even though he was a pitcher, his fielding was no worse than anyone else that plays in the outfield.

Dave wrapped up the second inning quick with back-to-back swinging strikeouts. He was the loudest of us all as we jogged back to the dugout. "Let's go!"