I wasn't able to tell him. The library was too quiet, yet there were plenty of ears. If I said anything, I'm sure Noah would flip out, either in excitement or anger and then others would find out. It's not like I know anything for sure just yet. Maybe after the game, when we get back home. It'd be easier to look up this player and his past with Noah's help. We could use his computer and he would know where to look to find his biography or something.
...do young players have a biography at this point?
"What are you frowning over?" Noah asked. We were on the bus to OLU; our lunches on our laps.
I shrugged. "Nothing." After a second. "I'll tell you later."
Noah eyed me, but didn't say anything else. He just went back to eating.
I did the same. The game against OLU was sure to be as tight and as close as last time. We're two teams on the same level. No crushing defeat in sight. I only went 1-2 with a walk in the game against them. Today, I would try and do more. I'd have to. I still felt a little guilty for the team losing when I got sick.
1 SS Noah Atkins
2 LF Garret Knudsen
3 2B Jake Hollander
4 CF Zeke Atkins
5 RF Mahki Holstrom
6 1B Julian Wilson
7 3B Jason Morris
8 C Alex Farrell
9 P Dave Atkins
Coach announced the lineup formally as we prepared to take the field after warming up. OLU's baseball field was similar to a mini-stadium. They had stadium seating instead of benches, and with the game starting just after their classes got out, it was filled with students. I couldn't find Mr. and Mrs. Atkins at all.
"It's going to be the same pitcher as last time.." Noah said to me as we stood by the dugout entrance, helmets on, bats in hand.
"He was effective and efficient against us." Garret patted Noah on the top of his helmet. "Come on. No need to discuss with Bambi. We have to start taking some practice swings before Coach catches you slacking."
The two left me in the dugout as they went out to the on deck circle.
I had trouble recalling the pitcher specifically...the most significant thing I remember about that game was that ugly error I made in the first inning, followed by a poor at-bat, which led to a scolding by Coach. Today would be different. I clenched my bat as Noah stepped up for his plate appearance.
Noah let the first pitch pass by for a called strike. The crowd clapped and cheered like it was a strikeout. I warily looked around and found all the seats taken. There were kids that were even willing to stand around to watch.
"Eye on the ball, Noah!" I heard Mr. Atkins booming voice.
Noah stepped out of the box and took a deep breath and a practice swing, then stepped back in. The next pitch was another fastball headed for the strike zone. Noah swung all the way through, connecting with the ball, and watched as it flew towards right field. Noah didn't take off running to first base though...it was a foul ball.
The right fielder continued to sprint to the fence and caught the foul ball before bouncing off the fence. The crowd of students went wild, while our dugout groaned.
Noah was almost glaring at his bat as he came to the dugout. Garret moved to the box and I moved to the on deck circle.
Garret didn't do any better than Noah. He struck out swinging at the fastballs, with the final pitch being in the dirt. Maybe he was a little to anxious too.
We passed by each other and he patted me on the head. "Make him work."
And I would. Coach told me before, the last time we played them, that I had something I was good at. I might as well put it to use. I let the noticeable balls pass and swung at anything close, making sure that my fouls were all grounders.
Noah only used up two pitches and Garret used twice as much in his at-bat. They didn't even reached double digits added together. I fouled so many pitches down the line, that my hands were starting to get numb. What really amazed me was the pitcher's tenacity. He didn't crumble, no ball in the dirt to give me a walk and no pitch aimed for my body. I guess it was still early so he had the energy to fight it out with me.
When I felt my arms getting tired, I dug in and prepared to hit one to some open space. A quick scan of the field found me a spot up the middle. I smacked one down at the pitcher's feet. He had just finished his motion so he wasn't abled to get the fast grounder that was able to sneak by the middle infielders.
I dropped the bat and ran to first base. I rounded the bag, but it was just for show. The center fielder came in and fielded the ball back quickly so I was stuck.
"Way to go, Jake!"
"Bring him home, Zeke!"
Our dugout was happy to share in the excitement. Especially since it silenced the students of OLU.
Zeke stepped up, and got set. The pitcher lifted his hat to wipe some forehead sweat and then pulled it back on. He started his motion, and threw his first pitch to Zeke. Zeke let it pass for a called strike.
I squinted. Not because I couldn't see, but because the pitcher threw a curve. It wouldn't be so odd...if he had thrown one to me, Noah or Garret. Particularly since I had a really long at-bat against him.
"Focus Jake." Coach Luis huffed.
I snapped to attention. I was on first and needed to take a lead of the bag. Gotta try to distract the pitcher on the mound. I inched off and scooted slowly; only to realize the pitcher was right-handed so his back was to me. He just glanced over his shoulder, but that didn't stop him from pitching to Zeke. Another curve. Zeke let it pass for a ball.
The pitcher stuck to that curveball for Zeke's whole at-bat. He would only glance over at me to make sure I wasn't stealing before throwing to Zeke. Zeke swung on a full count, pulling it to the third baseline.
The third baseman was playing close to the base and was able to field the grounder. I was sprinting to second as he threw to the second baseman. He was going for the forceout at second? I blanked.
The throw and and the hall was faster than me. I was out at second and our offense was over. I turned back and went to the dugout to get ready for the bottom half of the inning.
Dave was eager to be back on the mound. His first inning, officially back. He almost mirrored our own offense, getting the first batter to fly out to right field, but unlike Noah's, it stayed fair. Whatever, an out is an out. The second batter struck out like Garret. Then the third batter got a hit like me, except it was a double to the left field corner. Dave cleaned it up though and got their cleanup hitter to strike out.
0-0. End of the first.