"Gather around, boys.

" Coach said as we started to come out of the dugout for practice.

"I want to take a moment to talk before we start for today.

"

On the infield grass, we did a half circle around him and the other coaches stood just a bit behind him. He motioned for us to go down. Some simply took a knee, but I chose to sit. I had a feeling this wasn't going to be a short talk.

"First off, I didn't say enough after the game yesterday, but I'm proud of you all for pushing through the extra innings and adversity.

" He said.

"There was never a moment where I thought you guys lost your passion and dedication. It was always onto the next pitch. The next play. I love that mindset.

"

"Why do I hear a 'but' coming?

" Sean muttered under his breath.

Coach smiled.

"Let me ask, by a show of hands, who was dissatisfied this past weekend despite winning the tournament?

"

Jason, Jesse, and Korrey immediately raised their hands. Followed by Logan. Brian. Marshel, who didn't get a chance to pitch. Joey Henderson, a Junior that didn't get to pitch either. Tanner.

I also slowly raised my hand.

"What are you doing, Jake?

" Noah asked, surprised.

I swallowed a lump in my throat as more eyes looked my way.

"Coach said...who was dissatisfied. Me. I barely got to bat.

"

"Is he complaining about being too good?

" Dave laughed.

Noah's lips twitched, however he raised his hand too.

"I think I could have done better, Coach. Not just at the plate, but as a leader too.

"

Garret raised his hand.

"I wasn't that good in clutch situations.

"

Sean raised his hand.

"I got to hit two homeruns, but I thought I could have done even more.

"

Kyle raised his hand.

"I shouldn't have walked that batter in the top of the seventh of game one and lost my perfect game.

"

"Boo.

" Dave jeered.

"That just sounds like you're showing off.

" Then he raised his hand.

"I gave up two homeruns. To the same freakin guy.

"

It didn't take long for everyone to join in raising their hands, finding one reason or another.

Coach nodded slowly.

"Okay, hands down. Let me set this straight, I don't think anyone perform poorly. I just believe, as a team, we could have left yesterday's teams in the pit early on like we did Saturday.

"

"San Marino wasn't good. They just had one good player.

" Dave stated.

"Wheatland was good at taking advantage of the situation.

" Garret said.

"Tournaments can be tricky.

" Coach continued.

"It puts a lot of stress on the roster. Even during the busiest part of our season, we would never play four games in two days.

" He looked at me.

"And I don't suspect you'll be dodged around when it comes to league games.

"

"Really?

" I asked, hopeful.

"It'll depend on the situation of course. But with bases empty, an no outs, I can guarantee you one at bat where you get a chance to swing.

"

"You want Jake to lead off?

" Noah questioned, reading into what Coach was hinting.

"What about the rest of us?

"

Coach looked around.

"The rest of you continue to practice and don't worry about the lineup. It'll change as the season goes on. Everyone will get a chance to bat before or after Jake. Until I find the right fit. This week, I want to focus on practicing hit-and-run plays. Avoid double plays, advancing the runner. Homeruns are good, but let focus on the small ball. Noah showed us a lot of good baserunning this week. He can't be the only one. Just like how Jake can't be the only power hitter.

"

Baserunning...I had a bad feeling.

"Warmup like usual, then pitchers and catchers will go off with Luis and the others. Miller will help us by pitching off the mound. Jake will be our first baserunner. Sean at first. Dalton at second. Noah at short. Jason at third. Everyone else will hit, trying to get the ball past the infield with a grounder. Infield will try to turn the double play. Two bird with one stone.

"

"Shouldn't I be practicing the fielding part first instead?

" I asked quietly. That's what I struggle with the most.

"You're the one with the highest on base percentage.

" Coach told me directly.

"We need to work on your baserunning more than anything. Your fielding is passable with the help of Noah, but when you're on first, your lead offs are too short. You hesitate too much.

" Coach went on.

"Your slides may look passable, but they're easy to brush off the base. You have to work on placement. Where the ball went, where will it go. Should you start sliding or stay upright?

"

"He gets it, Coach.

" Noah spoke up for me.

Did I? I don't think so. I felt even more lost. I miss the days of Zeke batting behind me.

Coach let Garret take us away for warmups. After going through it, he took the pitchers and catchers away, heading to the bullpen where the coaches were waiting for them.

"Shouldn't Garret be practicing this too?

" Korrey asked aloud.

"Psh. Garret is a power hitter.

" Noah said as our group headed for Coach and Mr. Miller.

"Maybe Sean could get an exception too if he didn't hit grounders so often.

"

"Working on it.

" Sean sighed.

"Jake, go get your helmet on.

" Coach instructed.

"Batting gloves on too! I want you protecting those hands.

"

Ugh. I turned back to the dugout and jogged to my bag. Hat off, helmet on. No glove needed, but a pair of gloves instead. I tugged them on as I hurried back to the group.

"Go to first and watch for the signs I give.

" Coach told me.

I guess I didn't need to hear the rest. I jogged go first. The infielders were sent out right after me.

Sean patted the top of my helmet.

"Good luck, Bambi. Try not to be scared when facing Noah.

"

...I wasn't scared before, but now I'm wondering if I should be?

Coach got the rest of the guys set up. Mr. Miller was on the mound with a bucket of balls and a netted screen to protect him from being hit. First up to bat, Jesse. Former JV defensive MVP. He had gone from playing center field to third base last year, yet now he was back in the outfield.

Coach gave the sign for hit and run. I took my lead off first. Mr. Miller threw a hitable pitch to Jesse. Jesse connected, hitting it on the ground between Jason and Noah. I was sprinting to second, but Noah was able to stop the grounder and threw me out before I could make a decision on what to do. Dalton made the throw to first, the ball whizzing past me.

"Out and out.

" Coach declared from home.

"Back to first Jake. Try to get a bigger lead.

"

Yea. Okay. I jogged back to first and took a deep breath. Coach gave out the same sign with Korrey up to bat now. I got off of the base and inched my way to second. Mr. Miller threw me for a loop by throwing the ball to Sean at first. I hurried back and Sean tagged me.

"Safe.

" Coach said.

"Jake, pay attention. Even though Mr. Miller is a coach, he's also the pitcher. He has to do his part to keep you closer to first. They want this double play. They need it.

"

Pure distress. If I didn't know better, I would think that the coaches were picking on me.