The Hitting Zone



It was a long quiet ride back to our school. No one chatted or dared to gossip with Coach in a bad mood. I had so many questions for Noah, but chose to wait until we got back to our car where it was safe. 

Dave beat me to it though. "I can't believe you agreed so readily to go down to JV." He helped us packed the trunk and then we all got in. 

"It's not like I could say no." Noah said calmly. "Coach knows what's best. He himself won't be at the varsity game Monday."

"I just thought it was weird that he picked you first." Kyle said from the driver's seat. 

"I think it's because I'm the vice-captain." Noah said nonchalantly. "He needs someone to lead a short-handed team. Garret was already picked to pitch on Monday. He has to pair up with Oscar and try to lead a depleted varsity team. I'm tasked with the lower level. So I understand."

"I feel like he took away too many of the good hitters." Dave commented. "Jake, Sean, and Bryce?" He whistled low. "I just hope he isn't giving away our perfect season for this."

"You can't blame him." Noah said. "He has to think about the whole program. All three teams. Not just ours."

"This coming from the guy who complained about playing catcher for one game?" Kyle snorted. 

"Hey! I like what I like!" Noah refuted. "I'll complain no matter what if it's not shortstop. I like the action. Playing JV won't be a problem. I get to play short and Mr. Miller will probably let me bat first. So lots of at bats for me."

"Uh...Noah..." Dave said hesitantly. "Is now a bad time to mention that you might have to play catcher for Brian?"

Kyle burst out laughing. 

"He can pair up with one of the freshmen." Noah stated firmly. 

"Were any of them catchers?" Dave asked. 

We arrived back at the house and started to unload our bags. Mom and Dad heard us making a racket and came out of their office. 

"The other games must have run long." Mom commented while smiling. "We were starting to get worried."

"The JV team had a fight." Kyle told her. "The whole team. With themselves. Coach got mad and now Noah and Jake have to play in the JV game on Monday."

Mom and Dad were just as shocked as we were. Noah quickly gave them some backstory about how divided the team was. Then he grinned. "Bet you guys didn't expect to watch any JV games after last year."

"Why would they go watch you guys pick on another JV team?" Dave thumped Noah on the head. 

Noah rubbed his head. "Why would they watch the varsity game that we aren't playing in? You two won't get a chance on the mound either so it's pointless."

Mom and Dad shared a look. 

"Well, actually." Dad cleared his throat. "We had been entertaining the thought of going on a trip since you guys weren't playing any league games this week. And now that it's shaping up to be like this..."

"A trip to where?" Noah asked. 

All eyes were on them. 

"To Reno, Nevada." Mom answered. "We could do a drive through the mountains. See Zeke play his game on Tuesday, then drive back."

"Drive?" Dave sounded disgusted. "That'll be hours. How long do you guys plan to be gone?" 

"Leave Monday, come back Wednesday. Maybe even be back in time for your game Wednesday too." 

"Oh. That sounds fine." Kyle nodded. 

Noah shrugged. "Basically how long you're gone when you're watching Zeke at Stanford anyways."

"If I'm starting on Wednesday, you guys better leave super early and get here on time." Dave told them. 

Mom looked to me. 

"Have fun? Tell Zeke and Rhys that we said 'hi'?" I was unsure if they were looking for approval or just expected me to have something to say like the others. 

Dad reached out and patted me on the head. He smiled at Mom. "The boys are growing up. Don't worry. Gramps will be here to keep an eye on things."

Mom smiled softly for a second before narrowing her eyes at us. "The JV fight is concerning. I don't want you boys getting mixed up in all that, you hear me?"

"Don't worry, Mom." Dave waved her worries away. "Jake couldn't even stand the idea of JV team having a tense atmosphere. That's why we watched the freshmen team. We aren't fighters. Just baseball players."

Dad looked to Kyle. 

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Don't look at me like that. I don't fight either, Dad. Name one time I've intentionally thrown a punch."

"I like how you have to add intentionally." Dave snickered. 

Noah laughed too, causing Dad to look at him directly next. Noah stopped. "C'mon Dad. I've a man that uses words. I dont fight-fight. But if I did, it's because someone hurt my brothers first."

Dad squinted at him. "That wasn't reassuring."

"Coach will have it under control on Monday." Noah said. "No fights while you're gone, I swear."

After we finished talking about the JV team and Mom and Dad going on a trip, we started to clean up. Noah and I needed to shower. Dave didn't bother, but Kyle did since he had a date with Marie tonight. Grampa and Mom got together to make dinner for everyone after Kyle left. Noah took the time to call Zeke about what had went on today, but it went straight to voicemail. 

"He's probably already on his flight back." Noah sighed. "Too bad. It'd be nice to get his opinion on the matter." He looked to me. "You gonna tell Jeremy that you've been demoted for a game?"

I shrugged. "I don't think it matters. Like you said. It's not a league game and Coach knows what he's doing. I trust him."

Noah grinned. "How many bombs will you hit on Monday?" 

I slowly shook my head. "If we're playing the JV field...probably none." I explained. "They don't have a real outfield fence." It led to a soccer field so it had to be easily disposable. 

"Oh. Right. I think they're stakes in the ground with caution tape." He laughed. "Bryce better not let a fly ball by or it might be a home run if the batter is fast enough." He rubbed his hands together. "Maybe I can get one."

"Would that even count?" I asked, tilting my head. 

pαndα---noνɐ1,сoМ He nodded. "As long as it's not an error by the outfield, if I run all the bases fast enough, it would go down as a home run."

I gave him a thumbs up. "I'm rooting for you."

He laughed. "Why does it sound like you won't be trying for any of that?"

"I don't want to trip and embarrass myself." I told him. "Especially in a JV game. That would make me feel bad. I rather just play steady. Take our win. And hope Coach isn't going to redo the rosters again."

"No way." Noah said. "He's just mad at the whole JV team. They'll just run for the next couple of days. Wednesday, things will return to normal."

I hoped so.