Page 15 of Don't Hurt Us
“When that happens, you should call me.I’ll remind you of how amazing you are and make you see yourself how I see you.”
Chapter 9
Maverick
Pullinguptothebatting cages, I check to make sure I have everything I need.I haven’t coached anyone in a long time, but the baseball coach said there are a few boys who are in need of extra batting help.
Coach Tom was my coach in high school.He knew I was good and could’ve gone pro, but I didn’t want to leave my small-town life.Nothing about living in a big city or having fans scream my name appealed to me.Instead, I’ve helped him off and on over the years with boys who need a little extra help.
Tom goes above what is expected as a coach.He works with the boys all year long and has weekly practices.If they can't make it, he doesn’t get upset, but it keeps the boys busy and out of trouble.It doesn’t hurt that his players’ skills improve drastically, especially compared to the teams in neighboring towns.
“Hey, Maverick.Thanks for doing this.I’ve been working with these boys a lot over the last few months, but I think it’s time to pull you in.Some need help with batting and some with pitching.”
“No problem.How many are there?”
“Four.I was thinking of having you work with one at a time.Danny first, if you don’t mind.He’s always been my star player, but he’s struggled since his dad left.”
Danny?I wonder if he’s talking about Sydney’s son.I don’t know of another Danny, nor can I think of another dad in town who has left their family recently.
“I’ll work with him.Don’t worry about it.”I pat Tom on the back before popping my tailgate and grabbing my bag out of the back.
Once I'm inside, I take out my glove, bat, and a few balls.If I can get him to bat first, I can show him how I want him to pitch.We can work with the pitching machine later, first we need to go back to the basics.
I glance up when I hear someone approach the batting cage I'm setting up in.
“I’m not batting off a tee.”Danny steps into the netted off area with a scowl on his face.
“It’s cute you think you have a say.”I grin, tossing a ball at him.He catches it without an issue and drops his bag on the ground.
“Danny, be nice.”Sydney scowls at her son.Ah, I was right.I know Peck said Danny wasn’t doing great since Rob left, but I haven’t really had a reason to be around him and interact with him.Now, I do.
“I'm not a baby, Mom.I'm not batting off a tee.”He rolls his eyes.
“Just… Do whatever Maverick wants you to do.He’s your coach for today.”She sighs and rubs at her temples like she has a migraine.
“I don’t even want to be here,” he grumbles under his breath.
“Alright, fine.Let’s do it your way.You don’t want a tee, then you can bat and I’ll pitch.Just let me warm up a little bit.”I motion for him to move away from the pitching net.There’s a bright yellow square in the center.It’s to help you aim for a small area and see how your pitching is.
I take my time stretching out my shoulder.I don’t play often, but I know I have a bad shoulder.It’s part of the reason I didn’t go pro.I didn’t want to constantly be rehabbing my shoulder and wondering how long I’d be able to last on the team.Sooner or later, I knew my shoulder would end my career.
When I'm ready, I bring my arm back and my leg up, I launch the ball towards the net and it hits the back wall with a loud thwack.Danny’s eyes widen as he stares at me in shock.
I do it five more times before I shake out my shoulder again.I make sure to keep my face free of any emotion, even though I really want to laugh at his response.
“You’re up, Danny.Take your position.”
“I'm not batting off of you!You just threw a fastball!”
“You didn’t specify how you wanted me to throw.Would you prefer a curveball?A screwball?Slider?What do you like?”I throw the different types of pitches with each question, making him take two steps backwards.
“How fast was that?”He’s still trying to lift his jaw off the floor.
“I don’t know.The last time anyone checked my speed, I was throwing over ninety miles an hour.”I lift my shoulders in a shrug like it isn't that impressive.
“What’s the fastest you’ve ever thrown?”He comes closer, realizing I'm not just another random person trying to tell him what he’s doing wrong in baseball without any skill to back it up.
“I’ve thrown over a hundred miles an hour, but it’s not easy.”
