193 Game Two: Durham Preparatory 6 (1/2)

We had to hurry out as the umpire was already heading over to tell coach that time was up. I don't know what Kyle did to stall for time, but the umpire wasn't happy with our team.

Top of the fourth: Kyle was able to strikeout the first batter up. He then allowed a single to the outfield. After a fly out to Zeke in center field, I watched Noah studying Zeke as he threw the ball back in. He was definitely suspicious of his brother and is probably thinking of how he's hiding an injury. Zeke didn't look like he was in pain, nor did he say anything about it, so it must not be a big deal. He wouldn't do anything to harm the team.

The following batter was in the ninth slot, and previously hit a fly ball to the outfield. Kyle cornered him into a 1-2 count, making him swing on a bad pitch. He hit a light grounder right to Noah, who tossed it to me as I ran for second base. I caught the ball, tagged the base, and got out of the way of the runner that just became our third out.

The team jogged backed to our dugout, but I slowed up, trying to see if Chris was still in there. He would be even more mad than before now that he's been replaced in the lineup.

Noah grabbed my arm and started to pull me in. ”He's not here. Coach wouldn't let someone so hotheaded like that in the dugout. Come on, let go over the infield fly rule from last inning.”

My shoulders sagged and I followed obediently. We sat down by our bags and our teammates started our offense with Mahki, Kyle, and Sean.

”So the basics of the infield fly rule has to meet certain requirements, first there has to be less than two outs, and also a force play at third: i.e., when there are runners at first and second base, or the bases are loaded.” Noah tilted his head at me. ”So last inning we had bases loaded and no outs. As soon as there was an infield pop fly, you should have looked towards the nearest ump or even just keep your ears open. They'll call 'infield fly' and usually will point up at the sky to signal that the batter is automatically out. No matter what.”

”So when the infielder tripped and missed the catch...I didn't have to run?”

Noah shook his head. ”Nope. Because the batter was already out. Plus, this is rule is to discourage infielders from purposely missing the catch so they could turn double or even triple plays.”

I looked out to the shortstop on the field for Durham. ”Do you think he did it on purpose?”

Noah gave me the side eye. ”If he didn't, then he's the clumsiest shortstop I know. At a private school no less.”

That's a yes then. Ahhh, why didn't I know about this before? Dummy. But then I thought about another odd thing about it. I looked at Noah directly so he could see my seriousness. ”How did they know that I would mess up?”

”It's because they did their homework.” Zeke appeared in front of us, making me jump a little in my seat. He ignored my actions and glanced at Noah. ”Have you explained the infield fly rule adequately?”

Noah nodded. ”I did. We were just discussing if it was on purpose or not. Which you think it is too...”

Zeke looked at me. ”I don't think they purposely set that whole situation up like that. But I'm sure they were told that you were a newbie or at least a freshman.”

”Do you think they hit you on purpose..?” I said in a tiny voice, afraid he would get mad about it.