Once back in the dugout, the opposing team took the field and their players were introduced. The small crowd were full of Stetson University supporters, but when Devonte and Jose were announced, the cheers were even louder.
It was clear that these two players were quite renowned.
"How confident are you?" Ayden asked, already placing his helmet and pads on.
"Who me?" Ken replied, looking left and right, noticing that it was only him and Tristan in the vicinity.
"Who else do you think?" Ayden scoffed, "I'm asking how confident you are in sending us home?"
Ayden gestured to himself and Tristan who was getting ready to bat himself. From the batting lineup, it was Ayden and Tristan as the lead-off hitters, followed by him and DJ at 3 and 4 respectively.
Ken didn't need to think too long before giving a thumbs up, "Just get on base, I'll send you home."
Ayden grinned, "I like your confidence rookie."
With that he made his way out onto the field in order to practice his swing while the pitcher took his warm up throws.
"Batting 1st for the Bobcats, Number 7, Ayden Carney."
The crowd didn't respond too much to the announcement, but Ayden didn't seem to mind. He stepped up to the batters box with pristine confidence and faced the opening pitcher for the Cappers.
The guy looked huge, particularly so for Ayden who was only 5'8. Not to mention he was standing on the mound, giving him some extra height.
However, Ayden did particularly well against taller players. This was because his strike zone was significantly lower than others, so unless the pitcher had great control, it was a nightmare to play against him.
With a confident grin, Ayden awaited the first pitch.
The tall guy on the mound nodded before striding forward and sending a fastball to the top of the strike zone. His form was a little unique in the sense where his wind up was short and almost non-existent.
Nevertheless, the ball was fast, reaching the early 90's in speed.
Ayden remained motionless, his eyes locked onto the ball as it went past him and straight into the glove of the catcher.
PAH
"Ball."
An outcry broke out from the crowd as they complained against the call, yet the umpire ignored them. It wasn't uncommon for a home crowd to protest a call against their team.
The next ball came fast once again, this time a little lower than the last ball.
WHOOOSH
WHACK!
Ayden swooped on it, sending a short yet power strike towards the gap between 1st and 2nd base. The first baseman dived towards the ball, doing his best to stop it from getting past, however he was only able to deviate its course slightly.
The tall pitcher was slow off the mark, almost forgetting that it was his job to cover 1st base. He meandered towards 1st base, but his foot speed was outmatched by Ayden by a large margin.
The second baseman scooped up the loose ball and intended to throw it to 1st base, however, with the first baseman still scrambling to his feet and the slow pitcher running towards the bag, there was no one to throw it to.
"Safe!"
Forced to hold onto the ball, the second baseman wore a sour expression. He walked over to the pitcher and had a few words with him, admonishing the guy for his mistakes.
Ayden on the other hand, sent a thumbs up towards the dugout.
It was a great play which took advantage of the slow rotational speed of the infield. This was something that Coach Brown had highlighted in their film study and Ayden had played it to perfection.
As Ken got his gear on, Steve pat him on the back. "It's your first game man, whatever you do, don't strike out or get a double play."
Ken rolled his eyes. He didn't even need to look at Steve to know he was wearing his trademark mischievous grin. He nudged the guy with the bat, sending him back onto the bench.
"You just watch while I send a sweet homer over the fence." He replied confidently.
"Haha! That's the spirit." Levi the large 3rd baseman gave Ken a slap on the back, grinning widely.
Ken flinched briefly, feeling the sting in the middle of his back. If he wasn't about to go onto the field, he might have smacked the guy on the knee with his bat to settle him down.
WHACK!
"Nice hit!"
Ken quickly turned his attention to the field as both Ayden and Tristan flew around the bases. The ball had sailed into right center field, right between the two defenders.
The right outfielder picked up the ball and threw it to 2nd base rather quickly, making Tristan have to stop at 1st.
'Ah crap, why did he have to do it on the first hit.' Ken complained. He hadn't even done any warm up swings yet and it was his turn to enter the batters box.
Ascending the stairs quickly, he did a couple of swings while walking out, at least trying to pump some blood into his muscles.
"Batting 3rd, Number 13, Ken Takagi."
Arriving at the batters box, he tapped the plate and the toe of his cleats as usual before entering his stance. Ever since changing his technique, his confidence with the bat had increased dramatically.
With the additional help of his Image Training and batting cage sessions, Ken had no doubt that as long as he timed everything correctly, he could easily send a ball over the fence.
Not only was the outfield shorter than he was used to, he was also far stronger than he was just 6 months ago. At least according to the system.
Ken gripped his bat tightly and directed his attention to the pitcher on the mound. The guy's fastballs hadn't looked too crazy, at least from the dugout, but he wasn't about to underestimate the guy.
As the pitcher stepped forward, Ken watched the ball sail from his fingertips with anticipation.
'An inside fastball!'
WHOOOOSH
CRAAAACK~