Chapter 13 — First Scrimmage
Saturday arrived faster than anyone expected.
It wasn't a real game—just a scrimmage against another local Little League team.
But for the kids?
For the parents?
For the coaches?
It felt like the World Series.
The field buzzed with energy. Kids in mismatched socks and freshly washed uniforms. Parents unfolding chairs. Coaches marking chalk lines. The smell of sunscreen, grass, and nerves hung heavy.
Zach held his glove close, eyes wide as he took in everything.
Tyler bounced nervously beside him. "Dude… I'm gonna puke."
"You shouldn't," Zach said earnestly. "Coach says running on a full stomach is bad."
Tyler groaned. "That's not what I meant."
Blake Shows Up DifferentBlake arrived with his dad, but this time…
He didn't storm.
He didn't scowl.
He didn't avoid everyone.
He looked… steady.
Focused.
Still serious, but calmer.
When he spotted Zach and Tyler, he walked over.
Tyler whispered, "Here comes trouble."
But Blake only said, "We should warm up."
Zach nodded. "Okay."
Tyler blinked. "Okay? That's it? Just okay?"
Zach shrugged. "He wants to play baseball."
Blake smirked. "Better than talking."
Tyler opened his mouth to complain, but Zach elbowed him gently.
And so the three warmed up together—awkwardly, but without tension.
For the first time…
it felt possible they could become teammates for real.
The System ActivatesA familiar chime rang in Zach's head.
Ping.
"New Event: First Scrimmage!"
Difficulty: Moderate
Team Morale: Improving
Special Condition: Blake's performance will affect future relationship branch."
Advice: Support your teammates."
Zach nodded.
I can do that.
Coach's Last Speech Before the GameCoach Ramirez stood in front of the team, hands on hips.
"Alright, listen up!" he barked.
Kids straightened.
"This is not a real game. This is practice. What matters most today are three things:
Effort.
Communication.
Sportsmanship.
If you make a mistake? Good. Learn from it. If you do something great? Even better. Celebrate as a team."
The kids nodded.
Ramirez continued, "Positions today:
Sam pitching (two innings)
Blake pitching (one inning)
Zach at shortstop
Tyler catching
Emma second base
Jaden first base
Noah third base
Micah, Eli, and Bryan in the outfield
Questions?"
Tyler raised his hand. "What if the ball tries to kill me?"
Ramirez blinked. "Then catch it."
Tyler whimpered.
The Scrimmage BeginsThe visiting team—The Timber Wolves—took the field first.
Their players were taller.
Older.
Confident in a way that made the Dodgers' parents whisper nervously.
Tyler swallowed hard. "Why do they all look like they pay taxes?"
Zach tilted his head. "What are taxes?"
"Don't worry about it," Tyler muttered.
Sam stepped onto the mound, shaking slightly.
Zach saw bubbles:
"Nervous • Excited • Worried"
Zach called softly, "Sam! You can do it!"
Sam gave a tiny thumbs-up.
Sam's First PitchThe batter was a big kid—maybe a year older—with a stance that screamed danger.
Sam wound up.
Threw.
STRIKE!
The parents cheered.
Sam blinked. "Wha— I did that?"
Tyler pumped his fist. "YES! Do it again!"
But the next pitch?
CRACK!
The ball shot into the outfield.
Micah sprinted but missed by inches.
Runner on second.
Sam shook visibly.
Zach called out, "It's okay! That was a good hit!"
Emma chimed in, "We'll back you up!"
Tyler added, "Dude, breathe!"
Blake, surprisingly, spoke up too. "You're fine. Keep throwing."
Sam steadied.
And the next pitches were better—not perfect, but determined.
A Big Play for ZachOn the third batter, a sharp ground ball ripped toward shortstop.
Zach reacted instantly.
Feet set.
Glove low.
Body square.
SNAP.
The ball hit his glove perfectly.
"SECOND!" Emma shouted.
Zach fired—
Emma caught—
Tagged the base—
"OUT!"
The team erupted in cheers.
Zach glowed with pride, but also relief.
The system pinged:
Ping.
"In-Game Bonus: +1 Fielding (Situational)."
Blake's Surprising SupportAs they jogged off the field, Blake elbowed Zach lightly.
"…Good play," he muttered.
Zach smiled. "Thank you."
Blake coughed awkwardly. "Don't make it weird."
Tyler whispered, "Oh my god… is this character development?"
The Dodgers HitNow it was their turn to bat.
Tyler whispered, "Please don't put me first please don't—"
"TYLER! You're leading off!"
Tyler screamed internally but walked to the plate.
Zach focused his Team Insight, watching Tyler's emotions swirl:
"Terrified • Determined • Sweaty • Extremely sweaty • Also hopeful"
Tyler took a deep breath.
The pitch came.
Tyler swung—
PING!
A weak grounder rolled toward first.
But Tyler ran like a toddler chased by a goose.
He made it.
SAFE.
The team exploded with cheers.
Tyler screamed, "I'M ALIVE!"
Zach beamed. "Good job!"
Zach's At-Bat"Zach, you're up!" Coach called.
He jogged to the batter's box.
The pitcher glared at him—older, confident, unafraid.
Zach gripped the bat.
The system chimed softly:
Ping.
"Batting Focus (Basic) Activated."
Steady your breathing. Track the ball."
The pitch came—
Fast.
Sharp.
Fast.
Zach watched it.
BALL ONE.
He didn't swing.
Parents murmured.
Coaches nodded.
Next pitch came.
Zach swung—
PING!
The ball flew toward right field.
Not far.
But clean.
Zach sprinted to first. Tyler sprinted to second.
SAFE.
SAFE.
The Dodgers' bench erupted.
A Team Playing Like a TeamKids were smiling.
Parents were cheering.
Coach Ramirez watched proudly.
Even Blake clapped for Zach.
Zach saw emotional bubbles all around the team:
"Encouraged • Confident • Focused • Happy"
His heart swelled.
This…
This was what baseball felt like.
End of the ScrimmageThe Dodgers didn't win.
The Timber Wolves scored more runs.
But…
They didn't lose in spirit.
When the final play ended, both teams shook hands. The Dodgers walked off smiling, high-fiving, laughing—together.
Coach Ramirez gathered them one last time.
"That," he said proudly, "was baseball. I am incredibly proud of you."
He looked at Zach.
And then at Blake.
"You worked together. You supported each other. That's what this team is becoming."
Even Blake didn't hide a tiny smile.
System NotificationAs Zach walked off the field with Tyler and Priscilla, a new notification appeared.
Ping…
"First Scrimmage Completed!"
Team Relationship: Stronger.
New Quest Unlocked: 'Little League Season Begins.'"
New Feature: Game Performance XP."
Zach smiled brightly.
"Mom," he said excitedly. "That was so fun!"
Priscilla kissed the top of his head. "You did amazing."
Tyler slung an arm around Zach. "Buddy… we're gonna be a good team. I can feel it."
Zach nodded.
"Yes," he said softly.
"We really are."