Jesse started his walk up to the plate. This was his first appearance this tournament. I could hear his name from the stands and wondered if his family was here.

Mr. Miller gave the sign for him to swing freely. Garret and I had to run on contact no matter what. Jesse acknowledged and started his at bat. Two balls went wide befor a called strike in the zone. On a 2-1 count, Jesse connected and popped the ball over my head.

I didn't dare look behind me and just sprinted for home. Tanner, who was on deck, picked up Jesse's bat and yelled,

"No slide, Jake!

"

I tagged home for the first run of the game. Then I turned around to see the play. The left fielder had come all the way in to get the ball and threw it in. Mr. Miller held Garret at third despite him being pretty fast.

I jogged back to the dugout and high-fived everyone on my way back to my bag.

"Garret should have ran home!

" I could hear Dave complaining to anyone who would listen.

"Who doesn't know that he's the fastest on the team. He had a good lead off of second.

"

"Hey!

" Noah stood up, offended.

"I'm definitely the fastest. You can't take that away from me.

"

"Obviously Miller was playing it safe.

" Mitchell looked ready for his own at bat.

"We can't be letting Garret do close plays at the plate. Not this early in the season. And definitely not when we have the whole game left to play still.

"

"Dave's a little too amped up today.

" I heard Sean mutter a few seats down. He was sitting with Brian and Bryce.

"That's not necessarily a bad thing.

" Brian shrugged.

"I felt energized earlier when I got put in the game. Didn't it all work out?

"

Bryce nodded.

"Yea, I don't think it's a bad thing for pitchers unless it messes up their control. Give him an inning or two to calm down. Maybe after we score a few more runs, he'll shut up.

"

Unfortunately our offense ended when Tanner hit a fly ball to the center fielder.

I put my hat on and grabbed my glove. I followed Noah out of the dugout or at least I tried to. I was suddenly pulled back by the collar of my jersey. I grabbed it at my throat and threw a glare at the offending hand.

Dave laughed.

"Sorry, didn't mean to come off that aggressive.

" We stepped out of the dugout together.

"I just wanted to make sure you know that I'm not pressuring you for homers. It's not a necessity. Noah said you probably want to play it safe and that's okay too. I trust you.

"

I relaxed.

"I mean, it's not like I won't try for one later. I just wanted...to get the feeling again.

"

Dave pushed down my cap.

"Don't worry. I'll go easy on you.

" He pointed out at Noah.

"Now, he and I are going to have a problem. A groundout to third. How weak.

"

Noah turned around, clearly having heard Dave talk some smack.

"Bro, unless you can do better, I don't want to hear it.

"

"Next inning.

" Dave grinned and nodded.

"Just wait.

"

"We playing, or what?

" Sean joined us.

"Why are all of you trying to play first base?

"

I was the first to split away, jogging to my spot at second. Noah went further than me at short. Dave took his time getting to the mound since Mitchell had to put all his catching gear back on. He came out of the dugout last and warmup went smoothly.

When the umpire called for the first batter to step up, I made sure to pay attention to Dave's control. At least, that's what I intended to do, but it was difficult. The very first batter connected on the very first pitch, popping it high up in short left field. Noah was sprinting over behind Jason, and at the foul line, he made the catch over his shoulder while diving. The applause and cheers rained down when he popped back up, ball still in the glove.

Noah grinned and threw the ball to Jason.

"One out! Two to go!

" He jogged it back in.

Jason smiled too and threw the ball back to Dave.

Dave caught the ball and rubbed his nose, looking a little embarrassed. He got set once more as the next batter came up to the plate. This batter connected on the very pitch as well, pulling it down the line. Jason ran forward, caught the ball on a hop, then had to do a tough throw to first. Sean had to stretch out, nearly in the splits, to scoop it up out of the dirt.

"Out!

" The umpire closest declared.

Sean stood up slowly, and moved around to stretch. I hesitated to go over or not.

"You good?

" Dave asked, coming off the mound.<> <

/>

Sean tossed him the ball underhanded.

"Yea, I just need a minute.

" He walked around, casually kicking the dirt.

Dave got back on the mound and took his time to get set, probably for Sean's benefit. Batter three swung and missed Dave's first pitch to him. Mostly because Dave threw it in the dirt. Dang. These guys were serious about swinging at the first pitch. Dave threw the second pitch in a similar spot, but the guy held up and let it be a ball.

1-1 count. Dave got set once more. Mitch had called for a ball high and outside. We were catching on them swinging at anything close. Dave obliged and did his whole motion. The batter did swing, catching the ball with the end of his bat. It flew up the middle. I turned around to see Noah running back and Garret running in. I hurried to cover second.

"Mine!

" Garret called Noah off. Noah split away and Garret made a dive for the ball. He somersaulted and got back up, ball in glove.

"Out!

"

The first inning ended. With only five pitches from Dave.

We jogged back to the dugout, feeling some kind of way.

Even Coach was frowning when we all got back.

"Okay, not bad. Some very good plays. That's the kind of energy I like to see. Shows that practice is paying off.

"

"I think we're just lucky it didn't go Jake's way.

" Dave took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair.

I froze.

Noah slapped my back.

"That's a joke, Jake.

"

Some of the guys were smiling, but no one was really laughing.

"You good, Sean?

" Coach caught the sight of Sean stretching, using the bench to have his foot propped up.

"I think so.

" Sean leaned forward.

"I just need to stretch some more. Be more flexible.

"

"My bad on the throw.

" Jason patted his shoulder as he headed for his bag. He was first up to bat this inning.

"You did what you could. And I did what I'm supposed to do.

" Sean put his leg down.

"Really, I'm fine.

"

"Keep an eye on it.

" Coach gave him a look.

Sean nodded.

"Yes, Coach.

"

Everyone moved around the dugout as some prepared to bat and others like me and Noah took a seat.

"I couldn't catch that ball like you.

" I sighed.

"It was an awesome play. If it came my way-

"

"Then Sean would fight you for it.

" Noah laughed.

"The reason I can make those kind of plays is because Jason knows I want it. Plus, it was more in Tanner's area, but he was playing too far back. It's not like I can do that every time.

"

I sighed again.

"I don't think I'm going to like this game very much if the ball keeps getting put into play.

"

"Ah, you don't trust Dave either.

" Noah grinned.

"Don't worry. Anything near me, is mine. Heck, only Garret is allowed to call me off of a ball.

"

"Ball hog.

" Garret threw his glove at Noah from three feet over.

Noah laughed and returned the glove.

"It's called being a playmaker.

"