Friday practice means scrimmaging. Coach had divided us up into new teams and had us play for five innings. It was fun. Less intense than during the summer because we knew we would play again next week.

After both set of games finished, quite a few players hung back at the JV field to watch the pitchers challenge me. Coach didn't want us on the varsity field to keep the grass in good shape. Whatever that means.

The pitchers were off to the side, warming up with one another. Only a select few got a catcher to pair up with. There just weren't enough catchers.

First up was the few who had chosen Mitchell. Or maybe it's the few that Mitchell chose to go with? Because the first few were pitchers. I can't see Mitchell pairing up with those who don't actually pitch on the regular.

"The first few will be the hardest.

" Noah reminded me.

"Put the ball in play and you win.

"

I nodded. I was coming off a good game, knocking two different pitchers out of the park in my last scrimmage so I was feeling hot.

Mitchell nodded at me as a greeting as he got behind the plate and I stepped into the batter's box. Mr. Miller was acting as umpire to make the calls. I chose to be a righty since all of today's opponents would be right-handed.

The first opponent was a junior from the JV team. Noah and Dave both had good things to say about him: control and moderate speed. Been practicing curves.

He got set and started his motion. A fastball, probably at his fastest speed, high and outside. Could probably get a lot of others to miss, but not me. I swung and made perfect contact, sending a line drive to an empty right field.

"Hit.

" Mr. Miller said. He waved at the next pitcher in line.

"Next. C'mon, keep it moving. I don't want to be here all evening.

"

The junior frowned as he came off the mound.

Next up was a senior. Same deal for him. He threw me a breaking ball first, coming inside, but I knocked it to left field, going right down the baseline.

"Next!

" Mr. Miller hollered.

While the pitchers switched, I lightly swung my bat back and forth, staying warm. I glanced back and could see Coach with the other coaches standing behind the fence, watching us and taking notes. Alisha was with them, holding a clipboard and pen. She caught me looking and gave me a thumbs up.

My face heated up as I looked away.

In the dugout behind me, Noah, the twins, Garret and a few other guys hung out, casually clapping when I got a hit. It was a good feeling to have a few guys on my side as I looked down the long line of pitchers waiting to face me.

I worked efficiently, swinging on the first pitch for every pitcher. Mitchell eventually switched with another catcher, waving at me as he walked off.

As we moved to the normal players, I had an urge to let some pitches pass by for balls, but it would just waste my time. All I had to do was put the ball into play. So even on bad pitches, if it was doable, I tried to hit it fairly. Near the end, it got really bad. Being on varsity, I was used to a higher standard. Some of these guys...weren't going to make it.

"That's it for today.

" Coach came into the field and told me as everyone who stayed late started to pack up and leave.

"Thanks, Jake.

"

"No problem.

" It was nice to get some extra swings. I sat down to take off my cleats and change into my shoes.

"Will it be less players next week?

"

"Possibly, but might be better pitchers.

" He answered.

"Those who are in other sports right now can only fit it in their schedule so it'll be random. I asked Garret, but-

"

"I'll face Jake this weekend!

" Garret had cut in. He laughed.

"I don't want to embarrass him in front of the players here. It'll make him look bad.

"

"Make you look bad.

" Noah corrected him.

Garret reached out, but Noah dodged his grabby hands.

Coach just shook his head at the two of them.

"Good lord, it's going to be a long year with you two around.

" He glanced at me.

"I like hearing that you guys are putting extra work in. That's how you become better players. Have a good weekend.

" He left us to rejoin his coaches.

I packed up my bag and all of us started to get ready to go. Alisha joined us at the last second after grabbing her backpack.

"What were you writing on the clipboard?

" Noah asked her as we loaded the car.

"Just how many pitches Jake faced. It was pretty easy.

" She said.

I got in the very back, leaving them two to sit in the middle row. Kyle got in the driver's seat and Dave got in the front passenger seat.

"Was Coach interested in any of those guys?

" Noah asked.

"None of them looked that good, but it was hard to tell from just one pitch.

"

"He didn't say anything about them. Just how many pitches.

" She repeated.

Once we got home, Kyle left us behind, racing for the shower.

"Marie and Kaylee should be on their way.

" Noah told Alisha as we walked into the house.

"Do you want to wait in the living room or at the kitchen table?

" He looked to me.

"Jake, you can shower first.

"

I nodded and left them alone. Dave walked upstairs with me too.

"Wear your baseball sweatshirt tonight.

" Dave said to me before I split off to my room.

I looked back at him, confused.

"Okay..?

"

"It's for school spirit.

" He shrugged. The sweatshirt did say 'WHS Baseball' so I guess it counted.

"If you wear school colors and bring your school id, you get in for free.

"

"Oh.

" I didn't know that we might even have to pay.

"Okay, I'll wear it.

"