Chapter 796 - V3 ch31 (Challenges 4) (1/2)

”Knuckleball?” I repeated after him. I vaguely knew of the pitch from all the games Noah made me watch. But it didn't come up often.

”Minimal spin and erratic movements.” Coach told me. He patted my shoulder. ”Don't think too much about it. Not very many people can throw a knuckler, and only 10% can throw it like Robbie just did. I'm surprised too. Knuckleballs are hard to control, but it looks like Robbie and Oscar had worked something out to make it effective.”

I hugged my bat to my chest. How can I not think about it? If Oscar had caught my foul tip, it would have been a strikeout.

”Hey, hey, I said don't think about it.” Coach held my shoulder and gave it a small shake. ”That was a one-time thing. Really. Robbie probably won't be able to corner you on two strikes again. If he doesn't do that, then his knuckleball is useless.”

I frowned. ”Can't get just throw the knuckleball all the time?” I thought it was a pretty good pitcher. It fooled me twice.

He shook his head. ”It's movement is unpredictable. Even to the pitcher and catcher. Knowing that, you could either attack his other pitches early on. Or if he goes with just the knuckleball, then you could estimate which might fall out of the zone for a ball.” He gave my shoulder another squeeze. ”There's a reason it's not a popular pitch.”

Oh. I sighed with relief.

We went back to home plate. I stepped into the batter's box while Coach got behind the catcher. We started move through the list of pitchers again. I cruised through, hitting the first pitch into fair territory every chance I got.

At the end, Mitchell and Garret were waiting for me.

Coach and I stepped back to let them warmup together.

”I'll be completely fair this time.” Coach told me in a low voice. ”Borderline pitches will have to be dependent on Mitchell's placement. I don't want to give either of you an advantage over the other.”

”You don't think I'll be able to hit the first pitch?” I asked with a small smile.

Coach chuckled. ”Why do you have confidence against Garret, but not against Robbie? I feel like it's pretty clear who the better pitcher is.”

I scratched my cheek. ”I wouldn't say it's confidence. More like, I'm comfortable? I know Garret. He's good. If he beats me, I won't feel bad about it.”

”You should never feel bad about striking out. Or getting out.” Coach told me seriously. ”It happens. No one is perfect. Not you. Not Zeke. Not even your brother, who is bound to be MVP of the American League.”

He says that...but if someone strikes me out, they get to make the varsity team. Won't that mean one of my friends will lose their spot? There were a few seniors that graduated, but I don't want to be the reason someone doesn't make it.

”Swing freely.” Coach told me.

I nodded slowly. I planned to anyways. It's just Garret. Even if he strikes me out, he deserves to be on varsity. Plus, the record is in my favor.

Mitchell nodded at me as I got in the lefty's box. ”Lefty, huh? You know it's more advantageous for the pitcher to face the same sided batter, right?”

I paused. ”I...didn't.” After all, I found it easier to face Garret's cutter from this side of the plate.

Mitchell shrugged. ”It's whatever you're comfortable with.”

I glanced back at Coach.

Coach grinned, yet didn't say anything.