The opposing team left their wild pitcher in, and like Coach Luis had predicted, he started to throw right down the middle. Jesse took one for a called strike. Mr. Miller gave the sign for him to swing and for us runners to go on a grounder, but watch for fly balls. The second pitch was outside, but Jesse reached for it, getting the ball with the end of his bat, sending it down the first baseline.
I took off sprinting for second. I watched the shortstop guarding second, trying to figure out if I would need to slide. He looked set for making a catch so I made a dive for the bag, hugging it like an idiot. Then I felt a tap on my backside. They were holding a tag on me so I didn't dare move until the ump granted me a time out.
Taking my time to dust off, I looked around to figure out what was the outcome. Noah had scored and Jesse was out. 2-0. Not a bad result at all. Garret came up with only one out and me in scoring position.
The opposing coach came out again, signaling the end of this pitcher's performance. He sent the pitcher back to their dugout and waited for the new pitcher to come in from the bullpen. As they let the pitcher throw some pitches off the mound, Mr. Miller waved for me to join him at third base.
I jogged over, still slapping some dirt off my uniform.
"Great hustle." Mr. Miller told me, putting his arm around my shoulders and leaning in to speak in low tones. The infielders were gathered near the mound speaking to one another, but they were still close enough that we had to whisper in order not to be overheard.
"Garret will swing freely, but you need to be careful of fly balls." Mr. Miller instructed. "If it's far enough, tag up and get to third. If it's a hit, then look at me for the decision on whether to head for home plate or not."
"And if it's another grounder?" I asked.
"As long as you don't run into the infielder who's fielding then you should be fine." Mr. Miller said. "Don't worry about taking too much of a lead off second; do what makes you comfortable."
I glanced up at him with a small smirk. "Uh, I feel comfortable being completely on the bag."
Mr. Miller slapped the top of my helmet and laughed. "I think you've been hanging with Noah too much. Trying to get smart with me? Get real." He gave me a small scolding until it was time for me to go back to second base.
The new pitcher started to pitch to Garret, aiming for good spots in the zone. Not nearly as wild as the starter. Garret watched one for a called strike, then fouled the second for strike two. He was cornered. The third pitch was low and away for ball one. The fourth pitch broke inside, but Garret had already started his swing and was able to pull it to right field.
I kept my heel on second as I watched the right fielder track down the fly ball to the fence.
"Go!" Multiple people yelled out as soon as the right fielder made the catch.
I sprinted to third, eyes on Mr. Miller. He gave the signal for staying up which made me relieved. I hated to slide more than anything.
Jason was up next. I took a small lead off third, always making sure I was closer to the bag than the third baseman was. Since the pitcher was a righty, and had a perfect view of me, I felt a little stiff. I didn't want to make a mistake.
Jason was able to foul off two pitches back to back, but was caught looking at strike three. We went back to the dugout together with our 2-0 lead.
"Ugh." Jason grunted. "I can't believe the guy threw a strike on the 0-2 count. Isn't it like an unspoken rule for pitchers not to throw a strike in the zone?"
Kyle outright laughed as he passed us on his way out. "That's for traditionalists. If I think I can get you on three, then that's what I'm trying for."
"Yea, but you also like to show off." Jason sighed.
"As a batter, when you're cornered like that, you have to defend the plate no matter what." Coach took over, sending Kyle to the mound with his eyes. He looked back at us as we traded our helmets for hats. "I would rather have you striking out with a swing instead of a look. I'm not saying to swing at just anything, but make sure it's close. If he gets a generous call then that's fine. But that last pitch right there was good."
Jason sighed. "I know. There won't be a next time." He left the dugout.
Coach looked at me. "You did well."
"But?" I asked.
He laughed. "No buts. Not for now. You keep your head in the game." He sent me out of the dugout too.
Kyle started the top of the second inning against their cleanup hitter. Kyle threw his fastball outside, but the righty pulled it to left field. Jesse came sprinting in, making the catch, and threw the ball back to the infield. The fifth batter also pulled the ball, but it was a grounder instead. Jason fielded it perfectly, making a nice solid throw to Sean at first to beat the runner.
The sixth batter was the one to get one through the middle, earning a single. Kyle bounced back by striking out the next guy on three pitches to end the inning.
"These guys really like to swing." Mitchell mumbled inside the dugout, taking off his gear to get ready for his at-bat.
"Definitely speeds up the game." Kyle nodded in agreement. He glanced at Alisha.
"You're at nineteen!" Alisha answered the unspoken question.
"And that's with a strikeout." Kyle took off his hat and put on a helmet. "Nine pitches against four batters. Three pitches to one, and the rest are averaging two."
"More balls that get put into play, the more likely they'll land for hits." Mitchell muttered, putting his helmet on and grabbing his bat.
Kyle gave him a hard slap on the back. "Hits are bound to happen. Stay steady and guard the plate."
Mitchell nodded stiffly and headed for the on deck circle.
"You think he's under a little too much pressure?" I asked Noah as we sat down and drank some water.
"Who? Mitchell?" Noah questioned.
I nodded. "He sounded out of sorts..? Or maybe a little tense?"
Noah shrugged. "Probably, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Diamonds are formed under pressure after all." He chuckled. "He's probably been thinking too much. It's his third game catching behind the plate under 24 hours."
Korrey got jammed, hitting a pop fly just foul of the first baseline for the first baseman to catch, bringing up Mitchell next. Mitchell's at-bat was noticeably slower than Korrey's. He pushed the pitcher to a full count, even fouling off a few extra pitches before getting a single to center field.
Noah grinned at me. "See? A diamond."
It was impossible not to smile back.