Silence (Sequel to Collide - Nash Grier)

Chapter 42

I walk out of the dug out to see the team splitting into two. Coach met up with me then walked me over to them. "Ladies, this is Rae Dallas. I've already told you about her, and you might even know more than I do if you follow her on social media."

I smiled at them and said hi. They all smiled, nodded, or said hi back.

"Dallas! You're on our team," one girl said. She seemed older. I walked over to them. "You're a catcher right?" I nodded, "perfect, strap up, we're the home team." She said leading me back into the dug out where a set of gray catching gear was sitting with a beautiful black and white glove next to it all.

I put on all of the gear, and headed out with the girls to warm up before we started to play. The pitcher came up to me. "I'm Ava, I'll be one of the starting pitchers this year. It's my final season, so you could say I have had a bit of experience. I know you're young and we don't have any signs yet, so just catch it as best as you can. We won't be surprised if you drop or miss any of my pitches, I kind of have a wicked curve, " she said laughing. From the sounds of it, it sounds like she's bragging, but she's really not, she's just kind of being honest. "Just do what you can."

"Nice, to meet you, I think I'll be able to handle it," I said in a nice and confident way smiling.

"Let's do it then Dallas, " she said smiling and fist bumping me. She ran back to the mound as I put my mask on. I squatted down in my stance ready to go. I could feel everyones eyes on me for the first warm up pitch.

She started her wind up, I could feel the rush of adrenaline go through my veins. The ball released from her hand, started low middle, then that sucker started to curve. I moved my glove over and squeezed it. I grabbed the ball out of my glove and threw it back to her. She looked up to coach smiling then nodded.

"You ready?" she asked me.

I nodded, "Let's play some ball."

*******************************************

We are in our final inning, there are two outs, the other team is up by one. A sophomore power hitter just sac flied to right so we could get our runner from second to third. It was successful, but it would have been nice to get her home and tie the game.

Of course, I'm up to bat. I have only hit two singles and one double today. It might seem impressive considering this is my first time playing against them, but it's not good enough for me. "Dallas!" Ava shouted, calling me over to her in the dug out.

"What's up?" I asked.

"It's okay if you don't hit her in, that pitcher out there is one of our best."

"I know, but we are going to win."

"You're competitive as hell," she said laughing.

"Thanks, I get it from my brother."

"Well, go get 'em."

"Will do," I said saluting her.

I walk up to the plate, examined the field. I'm going for the right side. I'm going to fake bunt first, let's get them on their toes. The pitcher starts her wind up, I put my hands up to make it look like I'm about to bunt, the corners started to creep in. The ball was coming in high. I pulled my bat back as it was a ball anyway.

I could hear my teammates cheering me on, and the ones against me on the field trash talking. We all have been doing this the entire scrimmage. It's good trash talk just to mess with each other.

I took a few practice cuts, then got back into the batter's box. Time to go. This game is mine now. I need to show them what I've got. The pitcher started her wind up. I crack a grin as I can just feel this is my pitch coming in.

Sure enough, it was. The middle outside fast ball is my favorite. I see it and wait so I can get the best spot on the bat to aim it toward the right. It hits the sweet spot of my bat, and I take off.

I round first as I see the right fielder just pick up the ball, I head to two, seeing the ball in the air heading for home, I round second and go to third. I hear my teammates yell "DOWN" so I hit the ground, and slid right under the third baseman's legs and under the tag. Triple. That's more like it. I'm called safe, and call time out so I can get up and cleaned off.

The girls are cheering as I tied the game. While, we are all freaking out about the tie, a junior lefty power hitter walks up to the plate. She gives me a sign.

Cheek, nose, cheek, helmet. Using her left hand.

Breaking it down, that means: cheek indicator, nose grounder, cheek hard to get through, and left hand means hitting toward left side. Helmet means asking for confirmation on sign. I hit my helmet to let her know I got it.

We came up with signs throughout the game.

First pitch starts. I get a substantial lead off. Low drop ball. The catcher fires it toward me. I start to turn back, then see the third baseman with the ball. I turn to go to home. The ball gets to the catcher. I turn back to head to third.

Alright, here I go. This game is done. I'm finishing it.

I see the catcher release to the girl behind me, this is my time. I bolt toward home. I dive head first.

Yup. I'm safe.

The girls go crazy. I just won the scrimmage by getting into a run-down.

We all ended up shaking hands and said good-bye to everyone. I can't wait to be a part of this team. Coach came up to me. "Wow Dallas, you sure do love to make games exciting."

I laughed, "It wouldn't be fun without some thrill."

"You are absolutely correct. I think there's a good chance we will be seeing you on this field earlier than you might be anticipating. Are you ready for the challenge?"

What she means by this is usually freshmen red shirt so they can get used to the college atmosphere, but she's implying that I'm skilled enough that I don't need the year off. "Let's do it," I said smiling at her.

"Well good, I need a player like you on this field. I can't wait for you to start this fall, I think we are going to do some damage at the world series these next few years," she said putting her hand on my shoulder.

I smile and say, "I'm ready."

"Great. So you already have my number and email. I will send you the other coaches and the athletic trainer's number for you to have just in case anything happens before you get here or if you have any questions."

"Yep! I just finalized my class schedule the other day, so that's ready to go. My medical forms were submitted last week for you all to have."

"Yes, I saw that. It seems like you're ready to go and get to the next step in life."

"Couldn't be more ready to go," I said as we walked through the doors back into the athletic facility.

"Awesome, you can head back into the locker room, shower up and throw all of your clothes into the laundry basket that will be in front of the locker your stuff is in. Leave it in there and we will clean it all up."

"I have a meeting to get to, but it was great seeing you play with this team. I really can't wait to see what you have to offer for this program."

"Thanks Coach." I said as we parted ways.

Vote & Comment