Dude...Thats Not a Guy

12. A Hit to the 'Infield"

Soraya’s POV:

I was in the batter’s warm-up circle as Xavier stood next to home plate, readying himself for any kind of delivery. I watched the speed that the pitcher pitched the ball to 52, it was an average speed. Slower than Xavier, unless of course they were going to try and shit me off. Xavier hit a massive, well placed, fly-ball to the outfield which was in an overly large gap between centre and right field.

“Go Xav! Go for second!” I shouted, watching as he ran as fast as he could. The first base coach was sending him to the next base, he was going to make it to second. Now, it was my job to sneak him to third. I walked up to the plate and settled my feet into place. I twisted my feet around and held the bat out in front of me, like I was going to bunt. This is what the second batter does. Impairs the catcher’s vision by putting the bat in the way, and tries to give their runner the chance to advance another base.

I moved the bat around, and as the pitcher pitched the ball wide I pulled it backwards, but made sure that it stayed in 52’s eye line. He did drop the ball, and I watched as Xavier ran to third. I smiled as I brought my bat back, ready to hit it as far as I could. The count was going my way so far, but only one pitch had been thrown. He pitched the next ball, and it went past my eyes. Too high for a pitch. That’s 2 balls, no strikes. The next one was an inside low, that I thought as too low. Apparently not. 2 balls, 1 strike. The following pitch was coming straight in the middle of my strike-zone, I swung but missed as I realised that their game plan was to save the fast pitches for me.

Those little shits. 2 balls, 2 strikes. I am so ready to kill this guy, and I was taking an educated guess that his next pitch would be a change-up that would be sent straight down the middle. I shortened my grip on the bat and got ready to punch at it. Bunting isn’t an option and I don't want to swing and miss again. 2 balls and 2 strikes. I couldn’t let them strike me out, not with 52 being the catcher. I have to prove a point here.

The ball was let go, and I realised that my guess was right. It as a change-up coming straight to the middle of my strike-zone. I took a step towards the pitcher and swung the bat, making sure to never lose eye contact with the ball and felt the bat make contact with it. It jarred my hands, and I knew I had hit the end of the bat.

“Foul ball!” the umpire called, and I silently thanked god. They at least know that I'm not afraid to hit off of them. I had another chance to smack the shit out of the ball, and I wasn’t going to let it go to waste. The count was still 2 balls and 2 strikes. I looked around the field and decided where I wanted the ball to go when I hit it, even though it will probably go the other direction.

I got ready to swing, and the pitcher got ready to go. The pitch was borderline outside, but I wasn’t going to let it go in case the umpire thought it was a strike. I swung at it and met it out front, and I loved the sound of the ball hitting the sweet spot on the bat.  Dropped the bat behind me as I started running as fast as I damn well could towards first. The coach was sending me to second, and I bit my lip as I did what I was told.

I'm the batter that’s supposed to help get the runner around, not get myself around. I saw the ball being overthrown out the corner of my eye and turned to look at the third base coach. He was flinging his hands at me, telling me to go towards him. I again did as was told and touched second base before I rounded to third. He was pointing to home, and I don't think I liked that idea.