Unlike us, Villa Park replaced their pitcher in the bottom of the third inning. The guy was good. He got Jason to strikeout, Tony to pop out, and Kelvin to strikeout. Three up, three down, in the bottom of the third. A theme.
We went back out for defense.
Top of the fourth, Kyle now has to face the top of the lineup again. He didn't look worried at all. Maybe because he's faced them before and already got them out?
The first batter wasn't as passive as before. On the first pitch strike, he swung and connected. It was a line drive. Right. To. Me. I didn't have to move, just put my glove in front of me and caught it. What a miracle. The whole sequence was done in thirty seconds: Kyle got set, pitched, the guy swung, and the ball came right to me almost like magnetic force. I stared at the ball in the glove of my webbing. Wow. I've never caught such a fast hit before.
"Jake!" I looked up at Kyle. He stepped off the mound and held up his glove. "Nice catch!" I took the ball out of my glove and passed it back.
I looked at Noah and he was smiling at me. I smiled back. I heard some cheering from the stands and squinted to see who would be so excited for me. Unsurprisingly, it was Mr. and Mrs. Atkins clapping and saying nice catch. I blushed. Even on a good play, I'm embarrassed.
I opened and closed my glove a few times ready for the next batter. That felt pretty good. I don't think I'm that afraid of a ball coming my way now.
Kyle nodded at Kelvin's next hand signs. Batter number two had grounded out to Noah in the first inning. Kyle threw a ball. I blinked in surprise. Usually he starts off with strikes. Another ball, 2-0 count.
"Don't be wimping out!" A shout came from the bullpen. Dave was leaning on the fence, yelling through it. "If you give up a walk, I'll replace you right away."
Kyle took off his cap and wiped some sweat off his forehead. Maybe he was shaken from the line drive to me. That was the first real solid connection Villa Park got off him. Kyle got set and threw his fastest pitch right down the middle. Strike. 2-1. Dave must have gotten through to him. The next pitch was also a strike, but the guy swung late and fouled it. Still a strike I guess. 2-2. Kyle got the ball back and set up again. This time he shook off Kelvin's sign. And again. Then nodded. He completed his motion and threw another fastball down the middle. The kind that I would like to send right back up the middle, but this batter didn't keep an eye on the ball and totally missed. Strikeout!
Kyle got the ball back and pointed at Dave in the bullpen.
"Show-off!" Dave yelled.
Kyle just grinned. The third batter smacked a hard grounder down the third baseline, but Jason was playing close to the bag so it was an easy play. Three outs. We all hustled back in the dugout.
Noah and I went to our bags simultaneously, put on our helmets, and grabbed our bats. We were up after Kyle. We headed to coach at the end of the dugout. Noah went to the on deck circle and took practice swings as Kyle took practice swings just outside the batters box.
"That was a good catch, kid." Coach rested a hand on my helmet. "Good reaction speed."
"Yea! Nice one Bambi!"
"What a surprise!"
"Shouldn't you be better at the plate, than at fielding?"
I frowned. I am better at the plate.
"Don't mind them." Zeke joined us. "Keep looking for walks. We're not going to be able to hide your batting talents forever, but I would like to save it for the championship game tomorrow evening."
I nodded. Then turned around to pay attention to the new pitcher. I still didn't know enough about real pitching so I found Zeke's instructions a bit useful. With me fouling off pitches, I got to see more than usual players do. Which I needed since everyone has been playing for so long, that they're use to other kids pitching to them.
Kyle has grounded out before, but this time wasn't much better. He struck out, looking. He didn't even take a swing. He must be too concentrated on pitching. Noah moved to the plate, and I to the on deck circle. This new pitcher was more relaxed than the starter. He was fluid with his motion and didn't look anxious at all. I wonder what qualities you needed to possess to be a pitcher.
The guy pitched Noah some balls, mixed with strikes, seemingly all over the place. I couldn't decide if it was bad control or if it was super great control. After a full count, Noah struck out swinging. He gave me a tight smile, but didn't look happy. I glanced at Zeke and he rubbed his nose. Might as well foul. See more live pitches.
I stepped up to the plate and studied the pitcher. His first pitch came. Ball. Second pitch: ball. Third pitch: ball. With a 3-0 count, I stepped out and pretended to take a practice swing, while looking for Zeke. Should I foul if the next pitch is a ball? Or just take the walk?
Zeke clapped his hands. "Let's go Jake. Eye on the ball."
....isn't that what I've been doing..? I slowly stepped back into the box, mulling over his words. He didn't signal for a foul, but did say eye on the ball. So maybe he wants me to wait and see? If it's a ball, then accept the walk. But if it's a strike, maybe foul it? Or just watch it go by?
I sighed. Please be a ball. That seems to be the safest option.