441 Game @ Servite (1) (1/2)

Early May and it was still pretty chilly in the Bay Area. Noah has told me yesterday that summer was here, but I'm not feeling it. The high was still in the mid 60's, not daring to approach the 70's. I rubbed my hands together to warm them up before picking up my bat.

Warmups were over and the game was about to begin. As visitors we would get the chance to attack first. Noah and I were both standing near the on deck circle, listening to the man over the speaker announcing the home team at each position.

"Hey, Jake." Noah mumbled.

I leaned in to try and hear better. The speakers wasn't the only thing loud around us. The stands were completely full of spectators of all types and you could certainly hear the home field advantage.

"Don't start fouling the ball off until you get cornered, okay?" Noah whispered into my ear.

I raised an eyebrow.

"I'm going to get on base." He told me confidently, while straightening up. "Give me some time to shine."

I grinned. "Okay." I don't know if he'll really get on like he predicts, but it won't kill me to wait to foul some pitches off.

"And now batting for Watsonville High School, freshman and shortstop, Noah Atkins." The man announced over the speaker.

"Woo! Go Noah!" Mrs. Atkins high pitched voice was easily heard as the Servite fans quieted down.

Noah gave me smirk before heading to the plate. Like we predicted, Sanchez was back up on the mound. He's a very effective and experienced pitcher and player. Last time, only Zeke and I were able to get hits off of him. That didn't scare me though. We were able to win with that.

"Strike!" Noah let the first pitch pass by for a called strike.

The surrounding claps and cheers felt a little deafening from the circle. I shifted from foot to foot, feeling uncomfortable.

"Strike!" Noah swung and missed. 0-2. He steadied himself and reset his feet before drawing his bat back. The next pitch was a fastball, but this time, Noah got a piece of it. A tiny piece. The ball deflected back, just over the umpire for a foul.

The catcher, who had jumped up to attempt to catch it, muttered under his breath and threw a new ball to his pitcher. He then kneeled down and gave some new signs; Sanchez nodded. The next pitch came and right away, I could tell it was a breaking ball. A curve. It started away from Noah and then came in. Too much in.

The pitch nailed Noah just above the knee, making him fall over.

"Oh!"

"Ouch!"

The crowd made sounds of distress, but their sounds couldn't surmount how much distress I was feeling. I hurried over to Noah.

Drew was right behind me. We both helped Noah to his feet.

"Slowly." Drew instructed. "Let's try standing first. Put some weight on it. A little at a time. That's it." Noah carefully placed all his weight on the leg that was hit. "Now slowly bend in a squat. Kick your leg out. Try leaning to your right. Then your left."

As Drew ran through the stretches with Noah, I backed up to give them space. Coach and Zeke were both standing just a few feet away so I went over to join them.