Noah was obviously the first one to voice his complaints. "Coach! Why? I didn't play poorly earlier this week, I went hard in practice, and it's not like we're playing a doubleheader. Why do I have to sit?" His bottom lip jutted out as he pretended to cry.
Coach stared down at him. "Who says those are the only reasons I would sit you? It's a long season Noah. I need to give some time to the other guys as well?"
The pout continued. "I thought we played to win. To be competitive. What happened to the best player plays?"
Coach crossed his arms across his chest and gave Noah a look. A look that stated he was the boss and what he says, goes. "When it matters. A non-league game like this won't affect our standing for the conference championship. It's good to get the other players game time so they get some experience and don't become paper players. It's my job as a coach to keep rotating players to find who's been hot, who needs more help, and what I can do to change up the lineup if we fall into a slump. God willing, none of you get hurt anymore, but that's something we have to look out for as well."
Noah's shoulders fell as his body posture slumped. "I won't get hurt." He mumbled, halfheartedly.
"There are no certainties in life besides death." Coach replied, cold-hearted. "Even Zeke has already been injured this season. Your end goal shouldn't be to play every game. It should be to help our team will league and advance to CIF. Are you selfish or a team player?"
Noah hesitated. "Uhh...both?"
Coach fought back a smile, shook his head, and pointed to the bench. "Sit. It's almost game time."
Noah sighed and moved to the bench.
Coach looked between me and Zeke. "I don't have to say anything to you two, do I?"
I thought about my struggles in the last game and immediately turned to sit next to Noah on the bench. I didn't need a reminder on how I was a weak link.
Zeke was the last one left to face the coach. Despite Coach implying that Zeke should know why he was being sat, he didn't back down as easily as me and Noah. "I don't understand. Was my performance in the last game subpar? As a captain, I should be out there to lead the team."
Coach's eyes narrowed at his star player. "As a captain, you should know that, what I'm doing, is best for the team. We'll never know what the future holds for us. You were just injured last week after a hit by pitch."
"It won't happen again." Zeke said promptly.
"You can't guarantee that for sure." Coach refuted. "Some things can just be out of your control, Zeke. Take a step back, rest your body, and focus on the team. They need your guidance too. Just as much as Noah and Jake."
Rest your body? Did he suspect Zeke too?
"If we stay tied for a little too long or if we happen to be down a few runs, I'll think about using you three. For now, watch the game." Coach turned his back to us and faced the field.
Zeke didn't argue or fight to get back into the game. Instead, he came over to sit on the other side of Noah and watched the game with us. Which was fine...except, I wanted to quiz Noah on if he said anything to his dad about Zeke not being able to hit a home run even though I could. Technically.
The three of us sat in silence as we watched Kyle take command of the mound and start his domination. He was able to get the first batter to ground out to John at second base, then the second batter hit a slow roller back to the mound, and the third batter smacked a line drive right to Garret in left field. The starters happily came back to the dugout, prepared to start our offense.
The lineup posted went as follows:
1 SS Daniel Myers
2 1B Julian Wilson
3 CF Mahki Holstrom
4 LF Garret Knudsen
5 3B Chris Ludwick
6 P Kyle Atkins
7 C Kelvin Bender
8 RF Tony Perkola
9 2B John Roberts
Sadly our offense couldn't get anything going. Daniel popped up to the third baseman. Julian hit a grounder to their second baseman. And Mahki hit and impressively high fly ball to right field, on the warming track. Close, but not close enough.
Us bench players seem to let out a collective sigh with the exception of Zeke. Besides us three, there was also Sean and Jason nearby, then a few pitchers that weren't asked to be on the bullpen. Dave was on the end, but he wasn't as depressed as the rest of us. He had pitched five full innings on Monday and exceeded the pitch count, meaning that he had to rest for three days so no matter what, he wouldn't get to have a chance to pitch today.
"I don't know what coach expects to see out of Daniel." Noah sighed again, still hurt that he was benched. "I think it's a given that I field better and even my hitting is slightly better."
Zeke glanced down at his youngest brother. "You heard coach, he wants to see what the team can do without us. There's a chance any one of us can get hurt in the future. Or something can pop up to make us miss a game."
Noah rolled his eyes. "Yea, yea. I get it, okay. But you can't tell me that you don't mind not being out there either, Zeke. Just look in the stands. I can see quite a few men that look to be scouts of some sort. Either for a professional team or college. They're going to be at every game. Isn't it odd that you're not playing for them?"
"I was never playing for them in the first place." Zeke stated. "Coach is right, the focus should be on league champions. Then CIF. Everything else will come afterwards."
"Lies. You still have visits to do." Noah snorted.
"Midterms are coming up. I'll go on a trip then while we don't have games or practice."
"You're skipping midterms..?" Noah's jaw dropped. Mine too. Can you just skip school for a college visit? That doesn't sound right.
"I'll take them early. There'll be ways around it. Even if I fail a midterm, I'll still pass the classes. Most colleges won't pay attention to senior year grades. The focus is more on sophomore and junior year. Plus, they'll be looking at my baseball skill above all else."
"Ridiculous." Noah shook his head, but I couldn't tell what for. Either because Zeke was neglecting his studies or that he couldn't do the same just yet.