Kyle was closest, picking up the baseball that got away from me, and he called for time out. We had to regroup. Especially after missing out on such a good double play.

I looked up at Kyle.

Kyle immediately smiled, laughed, and patted me on the shoulder.

"Just one look at you and I know what you're thinking. Sometimes you're easier to read than a picture book.

"

I put my head down, embarrassed.

Kyle guided me back to the mound where the rest of the infielders were gathering.

"Nice try.

" Sean said.

"I could have thrown it a bit better.

" Jason sighed.

"Nothing lost, nothing gained.

" Noah clapped with his glove.

I looked around at the guys. None of them seemed upset by my drop.

"Right.

" Kyle agreed with Noah.

"I'll get the next guy. No problem.

"

The umpire broke up our little meeting, sending us back to our positions. With two outs, Noah no longer cared about Kyle keeping the runner close to second. Kyle didn't care about the big lead either. His attention was all on the batter in the box. On a 1-2 count the seventh batter hit a routine fly to left field. Korrey made the catch to end the inning.

Back inside the dugout, Noah and I both got ready to bat. He was on deck and I was in the hole.

"Hey.

" Noah glanced at me.

"You're good right?

"

I looked at him, confused.

He tilted his head.

"You know.

" He stressed. Realizing that I didn't know, he nodded back at the field.

"That dropped ball. That's not on you. It was a tough play.

"

"Oh.

" I gave a small shrug.

"Yea. I know.

"

Noah didn't look convinced, but he couldn't stick around to play twenty questions with me. He finished getting ready, grabbed his bat, and left the dugout.

I moved slower, tugging on the stupid gloves. I pulled my helmet on and grabbed my bat, moving to the dugout exit.

"Hey, kid.

" Coach joined me, with Alisha right behind him, holding her clipboard. He glanced at her.

"Tell him the pitch count for that guy.

"

Alisha didn't speak. She just turned the clipboard my way. It was a scorecard for our offense. And the opposing team's pitching. An even twenty pitches.

My eyes narrowed. This guy is having it pretty easy. I looked up at Coach.

"You want me to up it?

"

Coach gave a nod.

"While we have the lead, it's best to get them knocked around. I don't want the pitcher to think he's in control.

"

I glanced at the pitcher who just got Tanner to swing and miss on a pitch.

"Okay. I can do that.

"

,m

"Don't stress yourself out.

" Coach put his hand on my shoulder and lowered his voice.

"Tiring him out is your goal. Getting a hit on top of that would just be extra credit.

"<

/o>

Tanner quickly struck out, coming back sooner than anyone would have liked. Noah moved to the batter's box and I went out to the on deck circle.

Noah surprised everyone when his at bat turned into a battle. His swings started to get ugly, and most of the time were late, but he knocked a few fouls while letting the obvious balls pass. He earned a walk and some claps.

"Good eye!

"

"Way to hang in there!

"

I hesitated to go up, looking back at Coach. Was I to stick with the original plan? Even with Noah on, one out, and Garret behind me? I felt like this was a good opportunity to try for another run at least.

Coach clapped his hands.

"Make him work.

"

Okay. I guess I am sticking to the plan.

I walked up to the plate, getting in the lefty's box. Real quick, fell to an 0-2 count thanks to a couple of fouls. The pitcher didn't seem to want to pitch another ball. Noah's walk must have gotten to him. There were a few borderline pitches I wanted to let by for a ball, but they were too close. I didn't know this umpire well enough to risk it. I definitely couldn't be called out on strikes. No way.

Sixth pitch: foul. Seventh: foul. Eighth: foul. Ninth: foul. I kept them coming down the third baseline, trying my best to keep them low and on the ground. Hard to do against a pitcher with this speed. After the fourteenth foul, my arms felt heavy and my hands really ached. This guy was good. But he was getting tired. Multiple times he took off his hat and wiped his sweat.

Mr. Miller gave a sign for a hit-and-run. It was time for me to put the ball into play. I knocked my bat against my cleats before getting set. The pitcher spared Noah a brief glance over his shoulder, then focused on me. He completed his motion and Noah took off. I connected with the pitch, hitting it the same way I've been doing for the last fifteen minutes: down the third baseline.

I couldn't see the play. Only heard the outcome.

"Out!

"

"Out!

"

I tagged first base. Late.

A double play? When was the last time I hit into a double play? Last year?

I started to walk back, feeling some kind of way. Lost? In disbelief?

"It was a great play.

" Coach Luis walked beside me as we headed to the dugout together. He bent over to pick up my bat and handed it to me.

"That third baseman was ready for you. All those fouls definitely drew him closer to the line. He played it well, making a barehanded grab, then completing a great throw to second. It was close. Maybe another ump would have called Noah safe.

"

I wiped my face with my hand.

"My bad.

"

Coach Luis gave me a slap on the back.

"Next time.

" He split away inside the dugout.

I looked for Coach and made eye contact with him.

Coach raised a hand as if to stop me.

"Don't say it. It wasn't your fault.

"

"I could have done something different.

" I said instead of saying sorry.

"Same here.

" Coach gave a short nod. He let go a long breath of air.

"Nothing we can do now. Go change your gear and get out there before the ump looks for you.

"

Right. I hurried to my bag beside Noah.

Noah let out a sigh after finishing his change.

I looked at him, putting my hat on.

"You okay?

"

Noah looked taken aback.

"Am I okay? Are you okay? I knew you needed some time to relax after that drop. You just get into your own head sometimes. You stare off and check out.

"

My lips twitched.

"I mean, I'm not happy about it. Makes me think, if Zeke was here, I would have quite a few laps to run already.

"

Noah was stunned. Then he laughed. We left the dugout together.

"Man, ain't that the truth. Heck, maybe with him in the stands, he'll still suggest we run when we get home. I wouldn't put it past him to suggest it to Coach.

"

"Ugh.

" I slowed my jog up as we approached second base.

"He wouldn't do that...would he?

"

Noah laughed.

"I think you know deep down inside.

" He gave me a slap on the shoulder.

"I'm glad you're okay. I would hate to see you get into a slump over little things.

"

"I'm going to do better. Be better.

" I told him. I didn't want to dwell too much on the drop. It led to no runs scored so put it away mentally. As for the double play...I could only take Coach Luis's word for it. That it was a good play. Next time, I won't be so strict in my swing. At minimum, I should get it to the outfield.