Dying Embers

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Cleanup Hitter

ᯓ★ play this while reading: love warning — third 𝄞 ⋆ˎˊ-

"Alright! Gather around here, everyone!"

Tinapos na nila ang warm-up drills nang marinig ang sigaw ng kanilang Coach. Isa-isa silang naglapitan sa dugout, pawis na pawis pero focused. Mabilis na bumuo ng maliit na circle ang team, bawat isa attentive habang tinutok ng Coach nila ang clipboard niya sa gitna.

"Let's talk about defense," panimula ng Coach nila. "We're on defense first, so the plan is simple, work smart, play together. Ibig sabihin niyan, we think ahead, we talk, and we watch everything happening out there."

Tahimik ang grupo habang nakikinig. May ilan na nakasandal sa fence, may iba namang nakaupo sa bench, isang kamay hawak ang gatorade, isa sa tuhod, all eyes on the Coach.

"First off," patuloy niya, "know your batter. Kung mahilig mag-pull ng bola, shift tayo ng konti. Anticipate, don't just react. And if you think he might bunt, corners, I want you ready to charge in. Expect it. Stay ready."

Narinig kong mahina pero may halong tawa ang sabi ni Chance, habang nakasandal ang bat sa kanang balikat niya at nakatingin kay Mike. "Mike, run for your life if that happens, alright?"

"Oh, I will. For sure," sagot ni Mike, tumatawa rin pero halatang seryoso.

"Habulin mo, Mike, parang si Hari kung maghabol..." singit ng isa nilang teammate, nakataas pa ang kilay, halatang nang-aasar.

Sumabog ang tawanan ng grupo.

"May double meaning ba 'yon?" sabat ni Nimbus, halos hindi na makapagsalita sa kakatawa. "Kung oo, Mike, kung maghahabol ka man, siguraduhin mong may patutunguhan, hindi 'yong puro effort tapos ghosted lang sa huli!"

"Hey! Wanna die?!" balik ni Henry, halatang natamaan.

Mas lalong lumakas ang tawanan, 'yong tipong halos mag-collapse na sa bench sa kakahagalpak. Kahit ang Coach nila, bahagyang napailing habang pinipigilang matawa.

"Okay, get serious, everyone!" tawag niya sa kanila, muling binawi ang atensyon ng team. Nag-seryoso naman agad ang grupo kahit may ilan pa ring nagpipigil ng tawa. Tumikhim siya, tinuro sina Henry at Nimbus. "Pitcher and catcher, you're the heartbeat of this defense. Henry, keep an eye on those runners. If they're itching to steal, give me some pickoff moves. Huwag natin silang bigyan ng pagkakataon."

"On it, Coach," sagot ni Henry, sabay abot ng bola kay Nimbus.

"Nimbus, pitch to our strengths," dagdag ng Coach nila. "Kung gusto natin ng ground ball, keep it low. Kung fly, aim high. Work with the defense we've set. You're capable, 'wag mo nang ulitin 'yong ginawa mo last time, okay?"

Bahagyang natawa ang grupo, pati si Nimbus, sabay iling. "'Kay, Coach."

"Good. Now, communication. Outfielders, call for those fly balls like you mean it. Louder, not a whisper. Center fielder, ikaw ang boss diyan. Infielders, same thing for pop-ups. Don't leave it to chance."

Napalingon ako kay Chance nang marinig 'yon. Nakangiti lang siya, pero kita sa mga mata niyang alert na alert.

"And when there's a double-play opportunity, move fast. Alam niyo na kung sino ang magco-cover ng bag, no fumbling, no hesitation. Relays and cutoffs, outfielders, hit the cutoff man clean. Infielders, stay ready. Huwag puro excitement, keep your throws sharp. Walang bola sa left field dahil lang sa sablay."

"Yes, Coach!" sabay-sabay nilang sagot.

"Play smart with the count," dagdag pa nito. "If you're at two strikes, scoot in. If hitter's count, play deeper. And if it's tight in the late innings, we go for the sure out, no hero plays. And if they've got a runner on third with less than two outs, infield, I want you up and ready. Walang easy runs."