The Hitting Zone

On no. No, no, no. I shook my head and moved my arms to form an x. There's no way I could play second base. I didn't know much, but I knew that position would be way too complex for a beginner like me.

"Now hear me out, Jake." Noah tried to calm me. "Most hits come to left field, third base, and shortstop, because a majority of high school ball players will bat right-handed and pull it. As a second baseman, you will only have to coordinate with me and I can just tell you where to go."

I stopped disagreeing, but was still hesitant. There's a lot that goes into an infield position. I didn't want to let Noah down, but I did want to play with him.

"After testing your fielding, they might do situational plays. Like runner on first, one out, a hit comes towards me the shortstop. What do you do?"

I pointed at his hand drawn second base. I obviously cover to get the runner out.

"Yes, but you also have to make a quick throw to first to try and get the double play. As long as I'm fielding the ball, you should always cover second base, then throw to first. That'll cover most plays. For when you field, I'll cover second, but you should only throw to me if someone is coming from first. Normally no one would be on base, so that's when you immediately throw to first."

I nodded. This was the basics. I've seen a few games in middle school so I wasn't a total newbie. I just didn't have the experience to apply these plays.

"Now let's talk about covering first base. Do you know when to do that?" Noah asked.

I didn't reply right away. I don't think I ever saw a second basemen go to first...I've seen a pitcher cover it in a middle school scrimmage game.

"Okay. If the ball is hit to the first baseman, it's going to be your job to back up the play. If the ball gets into the right outfield, you should sprint out onto the grass and act as a cutoff man. What else..." Noah tapped the pencil against his notebook, trying to think of the main points I needed to know. "I guess the most important point would be our communication on who is covering the base." He shrugged. "We can wing it for now. Today's goal is to just get you on the team. You'll impress them with your batting, skate by on fielding, and then we'll work on your situational plays afterwards."

My eye twitched. So much so quickly.

"Just rely on me. You'll do great." He gave me a confident smile and I really felt like I could do this. He made a fist and held it out. "It's a fist bump. You've done this before with friends, right?"

I made a fist of my own and bumped his. I've never had someone to do this with, but I've seen other kids in my grade, do it. Noah really is my first friend. Every kid before was just a classmate. No one had ever reached out to me before like Noah did. I didn't want to let him down, so I must get on the team and win this bet for him.

"You look pumped up. That's good." Noah slapped my back. "Just think, if we could pull this off, we'll get to play baseball together every day. I can't wait. We'll practice turning double plays, fielding drills, and go win games together. It feels nice to be able to share the excitement with someone."

I thought so too, but I don't think I would play without him. So this is my only chance. I don't want to miss it.