The Hitting Zone



*Back to Jake*

I was getting tired after all the fielding drills we did. For hours. I didn't mess up so much at second and short, but my throws from third weren't on point. Same for the outfield work we had to do. Noah said to put it out of my mind, but I couldn't help cringing at the time I tripped and missed a fly ball and then there was the throw to home that really looked bad. I was simply happy that I would end this stupid tryout with the batting drills. It was just something that could take my mind off the earlier work. 

At first, it was straightforward, facing a random pitcher that was also here for a tryout. Then another one. Then a third. At some point they started to pull players away for other drills like bunts and situationals. Which I liked because the coach would be very clear on what he wanted to see. It made my job a lot easier, not having to think so much. Maybe it was normal for players to know what to do in situations, or maybe they just did their best every time, but it was a reassurance to me that I did what I was told. No misunderstandings. No mistakes. 

At one point I had even forgotten that Noah wasn't around. We were divided into different field and I was on my own. But I came up to bat often as they started to put more focus on the pitchers that were rotating on the mound. 

"334!"

My number was called and I went up, helmet on and bat in hand. 

"The team director and head coach wants to talk to you." The coach stopped me from going forward and pointed back down the left field line where a gate was. Two figures stood in the distance. 

I held my bat a little tighter. "Oh."

He saw that I wasn't moving. "I'm sure it's good news. You're an excellent hitter." He grinned and reached out like he wanted to touch me. 

I dodged. Then felt my face heat up. "Thanks." I hurriedly turned away from him and that awkwardness, physically and mentally trying to put that behind me.

I slowly made my way to the two figures down the left field foul area. They were both leaning against the fence, looking like they were talking to one another. The closer I got, the more details I could see. A man older than my parents and another that looked Jeremy's age. One of them was supposed to be the head coach?

"Mr. Jake Atkins." The old man called out my name once he saw me approaching. "Come closer, son. I'd like to introduce you to Coach Robert. He'll be in charge of the U16 team this summer."

I hummed and looked at the young man, Coach Rob. He barely looked Jeremy's age. Kind of the same build. "You look more like a player than a coach." I blurted out. 

Coach Rob laughed and got off the fence. "Yea. My playing days ended earlier than I thought they would too. But don't worry, I have a few years of experience coaching now."

I nodded slowly, like I understood. I didn't. I was still trying to do the math in my head, wondering if he started coaching right after high school. I spotted two familiar faces creeping closer from behind. Jeremy and Dave. Good! Maybe they spotted that I had been pulled aside and wanted to see what's going on. Yes!

The young coach could see that he didn't have my attention and glanced back behind himself. "Is that your family or friends?"

"My brothers." I answered. "My parents are here too but I don't know where. Do you want to talk to them?" Please talk to them instead of me. 

"At some point, yes." The older man said. "Listen Jake, we really like what we have seen today from you."

"Really?" I asked in disbelief, recalling that trip in the outfield. 

"Most definitely." He nodded and patted a folder he was holding with his other hand. "You are, without a doubt, the best batter here today. The best we've seen this past month while doing these tryouts. I want to formally invite you to the Northwest Regional Team this summer."

I took off my helmet to give myself time to figure out what I should say. Like do I just say okay? But I kind of want to wait until I know Noah's playing. Oh, that's a good question then. I cleared my throat. "So round two-"

"No need." The old man cut me off. "You're the first player we want to put on the roster. Officially. What that means is that we'll give you a practice regimen to work on your own time. After the final roster is set, we'll have a week-long training camp before we go to North Carolina."

The panic started to rise and I looked to Dave and Jeremy who had stopped their trek. They must have saw the look of fear on my face and started to come over again. 

"Hey, I think I know one of your brothers from somewhere." Coach Rob mumbled as he saw them get closer. And closer. 

I started to move closer to the fence too so when the two of them came over, they could stand near me with just the fence in between. 

"What's going on?" Dave whispered to me. 

"They're saying I'm on the team?" I scratched the top of my head. "Like that's it. I don't have to do round two or whatever."

"Good work!" Dave reached over and messed up the hair on my head. 

I felt my face heat up and swatted his hand away. 

"Hi, I'm Jeremy. Jake's eldest brother." Jeremy didn't pay too much attention to us messing around. He took the opportunity to introduce himself to the two men, one old and one young. The older one explained that he was the Team Director, Brent Coffey and the younger was the Head Coach, Robert Jacobsen. 

Jeremy looked surprised at the young man. "Robert Jacobsen? You played for the A's organization out of high school?"

"I never made my debut." Coach Rob himself was surprised, looking at Jeremy. "Did we perhaps play against one another? Or see each other in a selection camp?"

Jeremy looked embarrassed. "No, I'm actually five or six years behind you. But I was just really getting into baseball when you had...your accident."

"Oh." Coach Rob nodded. "Yea, if you're a local, you would have heard about it. After that, I turned to coaching." He squinted at Jeremy. "I've got to say though, you look very familiar."

Jeremy glanced at me, pulling on the front of his hat.

"He's Jeremy Patterson." Dave jumped in to save him from the awkwardness. Jeremy didn't use his last name in the introduction. "He plays for the A's now."

Coach Rob blinked. And blinked again. He looked to Mr. Coffey. "Are you just messing with me today because I showed up late?"

Mr. Coffey glared at him. "I'm not you. I act professionally." He looked at Jeremy with a much kinder expression. "Sorry for not recognizing you. I've been focused on putting them team together for the U16 boys. You had an amazing season last year. I love watching you play." He looked my way and smiled. "I can see why Jake is so good at the plate now."

Dave snorted.