Dave didn't take it as an insult. He just glanced at his hand. "Yea..."
He looked upset and I wanted to try and comfort him like he did for me, but I didn't know what would work. Soon it became a lost thought, as Sean had also hit a single and we watched as Zeke sprinted around third to tag home. The ball came in through a relay throw but it was too late. We scored again! 5-2.
Zeke clenched his fist and gave it a pump to Sean at first to signal 'good job.' Zeke came back and Alex stepped to the plate with runners on first and second. He got the count to 2-2, but ended up flying out to center field. That's okay though, we have the lead!
I put on my hat and grabbed my glove. It wasn't until I got to my position that I had remembered Dave's look at being called 'useless'. I should have just said something to refute that...yet...it had come from Noah himself. I glanced at him as he fielded a ball that Sean rolled to him. He didn't look any different. I'm sure he was just joking, but Dave looked upset.
The umpire called for the game to start. Kyle stood on the mound with confidence. He worked his fastballs around the strike zone earning a 1-2 count, and then got the batter to swing on an outside pitch. The end of the bat knocked the ball my way. It was a slower roller so I sprinted forward and picked it up barehanded. I made sure to aim properly before throwing the ball to Sean. No error. One out.
The following batter got jammed and the ball bounced down the first baseline. Surprisingly, it was Alex, who got out of the crouching position, ran to get the ball and then threw to Sean for our number two. I don't think Jordan or Kelvin ever moved like that. Usually they relied on the pitchers and the infield for bunts and slow rollers.
"Hey, Hey!" I heard Noah call out. I looked to him to find him looking at me. "Next time, back the play up. Three B's!"
Oops. That's right. I guess I got caught watching. I nodded to show that I understood.
Kyle got the next batter to hit a fly ball to Noah. Noah only had to back up to the grass to make the catch. After the ump called out, he rolled the ball to the mound and we jogged back in. Another three up, three down for Kyle. If only that stupid fourth inning just didn't exist.
I checked on Kyle to make sure he wasn't upset, but he was too busy grabbing his bat and helmet to start the sixth inning. It's like his mind wasn't on pitching at all.
Jason and Garret got their gear on as well and moved to the appropriate spots. Thinking of those before me, I decided to get my helmet on as well.
"Were you surprised by Alex moving to get the ball?" Noah asked as he sat down. I nodded. "Alex is a catcher that likes to be in the action. I remember in the fall semester tryouts that he put his all to go for every bunt and foul ball that was popped in the air. He also likes asking pitchers to do check throws." He lowered his voice. "Something our team doesn't like doing obviously."
Yea...I didn't see it often. I think I only remember a time or two they threw to Noah at second to try and catch a runner.
"You just have to make a quicker decision. Are you closer to the ball? Or did the pitcher and catcher react in time to get it? Or maybe it was a bad bunt so Sean has to come forward to get it? You can't just get caught in nowhere land. That time was a definite 'backup the play' ball. Especially with a catcher throwing. It's harder for them to throw to first because they have to avoid the runner."
I nodded. "As soon as you said it, I knew I forgot about the three B's. I was just...I had never seen a catcher go for the ball like that."
"Just know for next time. Always improving, one game at a time." Noah smiled.
Kyle popped out to short to start the inning off. With that, we were at the beginning of the lineup again so Etna High School brought in another pitcher.
With even more time, I remembered Dave and his depression. I looked over and found him far away enough so I could ask Noah about it. I lowered my voice. "Hey, do you think Dave got a little sad about you calling him useless?"
Noah was flabbergasted. "Dave? No way."
"But-"
"Jake, Dave is the toughest one here. Even tougher than Zeke. I've seen him break a leg as kids, and he didn't even cry. When he gets bombed on the mound, he gets angry. Not scared like Kyle. Dave isn't likely to get sad about some name calling. Especially since it was all in good fun." Noah told me. "Even when Kyle does better than him, he can laugh it off and talk some smack. Dave's good. Don't worry about him."
I looked at Dave and saw him just chatting away with Brian and Bryce who were also pitchers. He did look fine. Now. But I swear he had looked depressed earlier. I guess tomorrow I'll be able to tell a little better depending on what we do for the day. If we go to the cages, and he doesn't go, would that make him depressed? Or does that mean he just doesn't want to watch others hit the ball as he stuck on the outside?
With Jason up to bat, and Garret on deck, I had to move to the entrance to get ready. Noah wished me luck and I left him there.