Drew was very strict in what I could and couldn't do, but I wasn't in a position to argue. He lectured me the whole time as he covered my arm with gauze, some padding, and then wrapped it. "This will help only a little. Try not to foul off a million pitches like normal. Pick one to swing at. Ideally, if you could walk at every at-bat, then we could prevent you from swinging and aggravating the cut."
"I only earn walks by fouling off the b.a.l.l.s in the zone." I pointed out.
His face twitched. "Okay. No. I'll talk to Coach for you. I don't know if he'll allow you to play with this restriction, but for now, go jog some."
Drew spoke with Coach as I jogged around, but Coach seemed okay with what he had to say since I was still in the lineup when he announced it before game time.
1 1B Julian Wilson
2 2B Jake Hollander
3 LF Garret Knudsen
4 CF Zeke Atkins
5 RF Mahki Holstrom
6 C Kelvin Bender
7 3B Jason Morris
8 SS Noah Atkins
9 P Dave Atkins
"This is it boys." Coach said in a calm voice. "This is what we worked for. CIF. You're here. Today, you'll have to put in 110% effort to match up with these kids. They're just like you, league champs and they're working for the same goal: CIF champs. You'll have to prove that you want it more."
"This is just a stepping stone." Noah smirked. "Quarterfinalist doesn't sound as good as champs, Coach."
Coach nodded in agreement. He glanced at Zeke.
Zeke looked at all of us. "I don't want the season to end just yet."
"Yeah!!" The team echoed. That's all Zeke had to say to get the excitement going in the dugout.
Coach turned in our lineup slip to the umpires and Zeke went out to shake hands with the opposing captain. The stands had started to fill up, but not with kids. It was mostly adults, probably parents and grandparents, and then scouts. A lot of those men in the stands had notepads in their laps and pens in hands.
"You still have a chance to get noticed, Jules!" Noah nudged the senior that was putting on his helmet. "Community college is such a waste."
Julian shook his head at Noah's statement. "Everyone has their own path. A four-year college isn't always the best idea. Especially without scholars.h.i.+p offers." He grabbed his bat and left the dugout.
"Is he really so worried about money?" Noah said to himself. "He could always get student loans."
"Don't be so nosey." Garret slapped Noah on the head. "Everyone's got their own set of problems, ya know."
"I know, I know." Noah pushed Garret away. He glanced to me. "Are you ready, Jake?"
I lifted my bat and rest it upon my shoulder. "Ready."
He pat the helmet on my head. "Good. Go get them."
I smiled, trying not to laugh. Sometimes it felt like Noah was trying to be a mini Zeke. Very serious. Very encouraging. I moved to stand outside of the dugout just as Northwood ran out to take the field.
The stadium here had a broadcasting system and somehow we still had an announcer to call out the names of the starting members. I thought it would be a somewhat quiet game since this was a neutral location, but I guess not.
Coach and Zeke went back inside the dugout and started to talk to one another.
"I heard their pitching is really good." Julian said to me in a low voice, stepping closer.
I nodded. I heard that too. Mr. Cameron said so. "Undefeated."
Julian's lips thinned out as he made a face. "Don't get hung up on records. They don't show everything after all. For all we know, their wins could have been a difference of one run." He glanced at the pitcher. "Just play like you normally do. I'm sure you'll be great."
I stiffened up. "I can't."
Julian swung his head back my way. "What?!"
I leaned in, trying to get closer to him so I could whisper. "I can't foul any pitches. One swing. Drew said so."
Julian looked surprised.
"Now batting for Watsonville High, first baseman, Julian Wilson." The announcer said over the broadcasting system. With it, Julian had to step up to bat. There wasn't anything he could say to me anyways. It's not like he could tell me to not listen to Drew.
Julian's at-bat was important to him, to the team, and to me. Being unable to foul off any pitches was really limiting on how I could face a pitcher. So I could only study the at-bat before mine for now. Unfortunately, I didn't say anything to Julian about studying the pitcher during his at-bat. I couldn't blame him for swinging on the first pitch, which looked to be down the middle. He connected and sent a hard grounder to short.
The shortstop got in front of the ball, and fielded it like it was a routine play for him. The throw beat Julian easily.
"Now batting, second baseman, Jake Hollander."
"Go, Jake!"
"Bambi, don't be afraid!"
"Get on base, Jake!"
A few shouts came from my dugout, making me turn red as I approached the batter's box. I tried to tune them out as I picked the lefty's box. Out of habit, I almost did a practice swing, but I caught myself in time. Be calm. Be cool. I took a deep breath and pulled my bat back as I got into position.
The pitcher on the mound looked at the catcher's signs, nodded, then completed his windup and motion, throwing the first pitch. It was inside the zone. I let it pa.s.s for a called strike. 0-1. The next pitch went outside for a ball. 1-1. The third pitch followed the same path, but came in the zone for another called strike. 1-2.
With my back against the wall already, the only thing I can do now, is protect the plate. Anything close and I'll swing. The fourth pitch was a curve, starting outside, but came on in. I happily swung, hitting to the opposite field, sneaking the ball right past the third baseman.
I sprinted, rounding first, but the left fielder got the ball back before I could make a run for second base. I stayed where I was, happy with the hit. I felt a stretch in my injured arm, but hardly any pain. With Garret and Zeke up next, I just had to focus on advancing.