"You guys still look as stiff as boards." Dave laughed at Noah and me, as we walked down to the field on Saturday morning. Almost late February, and still super cold. As required, we still wore our uniforms and brought our bags in order to warmup with the team, even though we wouldn't get to play.
"That ice bath didn't seem to work at all for you two." Kyle added.
Last night, Noah and I, forced ourselves into an ice bath after dinner, before bed. It hurt, but felt undeniably good. Regrettably, we were still super sore and unable to walk and move normally.
"I don't know how we'll get through warmups without collapsing." Noah groaned and I nodded in agreement. "It would be too soon if I ever have to train with Drew again."
"After the game and lunch isn't too soon right?" A familiar voice said from behind us. We didn't even have the reaction time to jump in fright. Drew smiled nice and bright at our slow moving figures. "Looks like the training was effective. After lunch, I don't mind giving you some pointers on my day off."
"No, no, no." Noah answered immediately. "We couldn't possibly take your free time. Plus there are league rules to follow. No practices on game days. Only so many hours allowed with school coaches and trainers and all that nonsense."
"Plus, I'll be in charge of their afternoon training." Zeke cut in, and cut through, taking the lead to the club room.
"Good to hear! I can always trust you to make sure they properly work those muscles and buildup their strength and endurance." Drew said happily as he joined Zeke upfront.
"Looks like you guys won't be getting any breaks." Dave laughed at our depression.
Noah merely glanced at him. "You know he said at Gina's that we would need helpers. Guess what you guys are?"
Dave stopped laughing and looked seriously at Kyle. Kyle just sighed and let his shoulders droop. "Canon fodder. Just expendable parts."
The four of us continued to trudge our way to the club room and slowly joined the others in getting ready for warmups. Out of all the Atkins, only Zeke would get to start so we lacked the energy and spirit compared to a normal pregame warmup. There wasn't anything to be nervous about for once.
We got ready and took our bags to the dugout, just as the visiting team came down and got settled in their own dugout. As we did our respective warmups, I noticed one of the Katella players constantly looking our way.
I tugged on Noah's sleeve between exercises, "Hey, is it normal to watch the other team warmup?"
Noah shrugged. "Yea. Occasionally. Why?"
I nodded at the opposing team. "This one guy is staring. Every time I look over."
Noah made a funny face. "Uh, probably because you keep looking over..."
I blushed. "I'm only looking because he keeps looking."
Noah rolled his eyes. Then turned to look as well. "Okay. Which one is it?" He paused as he made eye contact with the one I was talking about. "Oh. Him. Yep, that's a bit strange. It even feels like he's looking specifically at us, and not just at the team in general."
"Maybe he has a bone to pick with you kids." Dave joked from the other side of Noah. "You shined at the Tulare Invitational and his team lost in game one."
"Maybe he's looking for a fight." Kyle added. "We did mercy rule the team that mercy ruled them."
I quickly turned my attention away from the guy and solely focused on my stretches.
"No need to be nervous, Bambi." Dave laughed. "It's not like he's coming after you. And you're not even playing. Just relax."
I nodded and took a deep breath and slowly let it out. No reason for me to be so paranoid.
I followed the team with the rest of the warmup, stretches, light fielding and even got a few swings in during batting practice. Then coach announced the lineup:
1 1B Julian Wilson
2 P Garret Knudsen
3 LF Mahki Holstrom
4 CF Zeke Atkins
5 C Jordan Sanders
6 3B Chris Ludwick
7 RF Tony Perkola
8 2B John Roberts
9 SS Daniel Myers
"Strong beginning. Weak bottom." Noah mumbled as we found a place to sit on the bench with the other non-starters.
I nudged him and frowned. "Don't be mean."
"I'm not being mean." Noah pouted. "I'm being honest." He looked past me and raised his eyebrows. "Even Sean got slighted."
I turned to see what he was talking about. The starters had just started to jog on the field, and Sean was speaking with Coach. "Is he upset or something?"
"Of course. Aren't you upset that you can't play?"
"But I skipped practice and coach said.."
"That just makes it worse for him. He's been getting a hit every game, and Tony hasn't, yet all of a sudden, the better on is on the bench."
We watched as they spoke; Sean appearing angry and coach as calm as a pond. As soon as the umpire called for the balls and for the batter to step up to the plate, coach sent Sean back to the bench.
Sean sat down, a few feet away from me, and right beside Jason.
Noah leaned forward to look at him. "What did coach say?"
Sean looked at us. "What?"
"Why are you benched too? Did coach give you a reason?" Noah pressed.
Sean scrunched up his nose. "To see what Tony can do in a game. No real reason. Just trying out new versions of the lineup."
Sean and Noah sighed together.
"Hey now, being on the bench isn't so bad." Jason tried to cheer them up. He still had stitches and had to keep his foot elevated.
"Says the guys who HAS to sit on the bench." Noah scoffed.
"What a crybaby." Kyle sat down beside Noah. "Pitchers have it the worst with so many limitations. Just be glad you're only benched one game. We can go a couple games without seeing one official pitch in a game."
"Just look at the bullpen." Dave took over. "Eight pitchers and one catcher. None pitched last game and probably won't be able to pitch in todays game. Garret's looking in prime form. Nothing like what he showed at the tournament."
I turned and watched Garret up on the mound, curious about what Dave could see.