The Hitting Zone

Chapter 1148 V3 ch382 Banquet (5)

Noah held both awards with pride and Coach let the room clap for the last award given. Or so I thought.

Coach waited at the podium for the clapping to die down before going on. "Now let's move on to awards from the league. I'll work my way up. For Second Team All-League, we have three representatives: Noah Atkins, Sean Isner, and Mitchell Torres."

He passed out the awards as the room clapped. Back to the podium when he was done. "I want to note that these All-League selections is based on coaches nominating a handful of players each and then the whole lot of us coaches get to vote. Clearly, the more votes, the higher the selection. I mention this because my next four players were all voted unanimously. First Team All-League: David Atkins, Jake Atkins, Kyle Atkins, and Garret Knudsen."

Noah put his arm around my shoulders and gave me a shake. "Back to back years. Just like our championship rings!" He laughed.

Coach made his way down the line, passing out the awards. The twins and Garret. And then me towards the end. He shook my hand and handed it over. "Well done, kid. I've got one more for ya."

Noah laughed some more. "I think I know what's coming." He whispered. "MVP."

It took me a second to realize what he was talking about.

Coach cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Last year, I had received two rewards from the whole division three for the first time ever. Some of you were present to see a former player, Zeke Atkins win MVP, Player of the Year. There was also his younger brother, Jake, that won Rookie of the Year, exclusively given to first-year varsity players. This year that rookie has succeeded in winning Player of the Year." He announced.

Noah and Mitchell on either side of me started to jump around, pushing and pulling me. They weren't the only ones. I was surrounded, getting pats on the back, shoulder, and head. Everyone was talking all at once. I don't know who started it, but soon there was a gradual chant of 'M-V-P' ringing throughout the room. It got louder and louder as everyone joined.

I just let it happen. Not cringing away. Not feeling cramped or claustrophobic despite being surrounded. I just smiled and went along with everyone, jumping up and down.

Someone belted out, "We are the champions, my friends!"

Everyone took cue, having just sung this after winning last Monday.

"And we'll keep on fighting till the end!"

"We are the champions!"

"WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!"

"No time for losers, 'Cause we are the champions of the World!!"

The whole team was laughing, not caring how we looked in front of everyone else.

"Alright, alright!" Coach raised his voice. He squeezed in and handed me the biggest plaque of the night. "That concludes the official awards ceremony." He looked around, smiling at the lot of us. "You boys have a good summer and don't forget to train. There's going to be a big target on our backs next year."

Coach looked to someone off to the side and said, "Roll the senior tapes and let's send these boys off with a decent goodbye."

A projector screen came down and a video started playing with a song in the background. We all took the cue to go back to our seats so we could watch. First up we're the twins, together. Their name flashed in a cursive script and the pictures that flashed were of them together in every single one. Attached at the hip.

My eyes stung and I glanced towards them, sad that they have to separate. Noah elbowed me, pointing at the screen. More pictures were flashing, group shots of us, including Mom and Dad and Grampa. A short clip of each twin played, them pitching off the mound, getting strikeouts. One, from Dave, was as recent as earlier this week when he pitched in the finals.

I was able to hold back the tears when it finally moved on to Matt. Organized by last name again. We finished eating, casually whispering about each senior that showed up. The starters like Garret and Jason made me sad too just because we were closer and had played for two seasons together now.

After the video finished, the parents were clapping and the room lit up with all the lights. The night was coming to an end.

"Thanks, you guys." Jason spoke up, talking to the guys around our table. "Thanks for letting me be a two-time champion." He laughed. "I'm definitely going to be one of those old guys reliving my high school days as the best time of my life."

He started to bump fists and do half hugs. We took a few more pictures with the guys, especially the seniors.

Then there were also the guys who wanted to take pictures with me and all my awards. This time there was no saving me. My face was definitely red in every single shot.

Mom pulled us into hugs as soon as we separated from the team. She took her own set of photos until my jaw hurt from smiling so much.

"Man, I don't know what you guys will do without us next year." Dave said on our way home, all in the car together. "Do you think you can be three-peat champs with Bryce and Brian? That's a lot of pressure on them."

"There's Joey too." Noah pointed out. "Even if he splits his focus with football. He's a good starter to put with them. Marshel isn't so bad too. Mitchell just needs to control him well."

"I think the biggest weakness will be the outfield." Kyle put his two cents in. "We already suffered from losing Zeke and Mahki. Now they're losing Garret. The other spots were constantly rotating and Coach even used Bryce and Brian. That means there has to be quite a few openings. Anyone can be in charge out there."

Noah poked me. "Here's your chance to make the switch."

I held up both arms to form an X. "Denied. No thank you. I'm finally getting comfortable at second. Why make it harder on me?" I made a face of distress. "I think I would die if I was playing out there in a game, trip over my own feet, and then have the ball knock me out on the head."

Noah and the twins burst out laughing.

"It's okay to make mistakes, Jake." Dad advised from the driver's seat. "That's how we learn and grow. Don't be afraid to try something new."

I glanced at Noah. "Yea, Noah, don't be afraid to try something new."

"Bowling is still new to me." Noah reached out to pat Grampa on the shoulder. "Right, Gramps? I still need to practice more to get better."

"I do think you have a good future in bowling if you really put in the time. Maybe even just half the effort you put into baseball." Grampa told him. He shifted to turn towards me. "As for Jake…it's good as long as he's having fun."

"Grampa…" I complained as the other three boys laughed.

We arrived home late into the night. Kyle wanted us to stay up late to watch a movie with him, but he was quickly shot down.

"We have a full day ahead of us tomorrow." Noah pointed out. "By the time we finish our run and workout and have a late breakfast, it'll be time to shower, get ready, and hit the road for the A's game."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "We?" I repeated. I shook my head. "I'm sleeping in."

"Slacking off already, Jake?" Dave laughed.

I glanced at him. "I'd be willing to wake up for the cages if you want to drive me. I can pay!" I had a lot of leftover tokens from my birthday last October.

Dave chuckled. "What good are the cages for me? I'm going to do the run and workout with Noah. Gotta stay in tiptop shape before getting to college. I'm taking a spot in the starting rotation as a freshman, no matter what."

"That's a very good goal go have." Mom congratulated him, coming by. She looked at the rest of us. "I think it would be good for every one of you to have a summer goal. Dave can be to stay in shape."

"Can't that be mine too?" Noah asked skeptically.

"Dave isn't trying out for the regional team like you are. He's more likely to get out of shape." Mom said. She turned to me. "Any ideas, Jake? Anything you want to accomplish this summer?"

I tilted my head. "I've been looking into taking college algebra online this summer. But I don't know how to get college credit turned into high school credit."

"Leave that to me." She rubbed the top of my head. "I'll call the school Monday and start the process. You'll have to send me the school and course info though so I can get it approved."

I nodded happily.

"He doesn't have to take math his junior year?" Kyle asked. "That's wild." He nudged Dave. "Maybe you should join his online math class to count as future credit. It would be easy to pass with him in it."

Mom's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that?"

"That Jake is a great tutor!" Dave pulled me in. "I'll have to look into my college to see how accepting they are of transfer credits. I can keep Jake company this summer. Class with him, workout with Noah. My summer is really shaping up."

Mom looked to Noah. "Do you want to try an online class too? It doesn't have to be a college course. You could do something like summer school again?"

"We'll be busy traveling, Mom." Noah said confidently. "I'll come up with a summer goal in a couple of days. Which I should be granted since you won't let me count staying in shape. Or making the regional team."

She thought about it. "How about you give me a proper backup plan in case you don't make it?"