Chapter 14 — Pressure on the Mound
The Monday after the scrimmage felt different.
The team wasn't walking onto a field anymore—
they were walking into the start of a season.
Coach Ramirez had the kids line up along the first-base line.
Clipboards.
Assessments.
Serious faces from parents.
This wasn't warm-up.
This wasn't practice.
This was evaluation day.
Positions were about to be set.
Zach could feel it in the air—
in the tension around Blake,
in the nervous excitement in Tyler,
and in the quiet hum of the system inside his mind.
Blake Feels the Weight
Blake stood apart from the team, glove hanging loosely from his hand.
His dad was leaning in close, whispering sharply—too sharply.
Zach couldn't hear the words.
But he could see the emotional bubble glowing above Blake:
"Fear • Shame • Pressure • Self-Doubt • Determination (faint)"
Blake wasn't angry today.
He was scared.
Tyler saw it too.
"Man… his dad is intense."
Zach frowned. "He's sad."
Tyler blinked. "Huh? Sad? That's not what I said."
"It is what he feels," Zach whispered.
Tyler looked again. "Yeah… maybe you're right."
Coach Announces the Plan
Coach Ramirez stepped forward.
"Alright team! Today I'm setting preliminary positions for the season. Some roles may shift later, but I need to evaluate everyone under pressure."
Kids gulped.
Parents leaned forward.
Ramirez continued, "We'll start with pitching. Sam, warm up. Blake, you're next."
Blake's shoulders tightened.
"And Zach," Ramirez added, "you will pitch the final evaluation section."
The field went silent.
Blake turned slowly toward Zach.
Tyler whispered, "Uh-oh…"
But Blake didn't glare.
His emotion bubble flickered:
"Worried • Resentful (small) • Threatened • Curious • Respect (tiny)"
He walked over to Zach.
"You're pitching today?" he asked quietly.
"Yes," Zach said.
Blake stared at him… then surprised everyone by saying:
"Don't hold back."
Zach tilted his head. "Why?"
"Because if you do… Coach won't know how hard I have to work."
Zach blinked.
Then nodded.
"O-Okay."
Blake gave a tense, determined nod before walking to the bullpen.
Tyler whispered, "Holy crap… that was almost like… friendly?"
Zach smiled. "Maybe."
Sam Takes the Mound
Sam stepped onto the mound, shaking like a leaf.
Zach saw:
"Anxiety • Pressure • Wanting to impress"
Coach called out, "Relax! Throw easy!"
Sam nodded and threw—
STRAIKE ONE!
The parents cheered.
Sam exhaled.
But the next pitch was wild—
then low—
then outside—
then high.
Sam's confidence cracked.
Tyler muttered, "He's losing it…"
Ramirez called out, "Sam! One more! Just breathe."
Sam closed his eyes.
Threw.
CRACK.
A hard line drive flew back toward Sam's face.
Sam screamed and ducked.
But Zach moved.
He didn't think.
He didn't hesitate.
He just acted.
He dashed from shortstop, slid across the mound, and snagged the ball inches from Sam's head.
Parents gasped.
Tyler yelled, "DUDE! YOU ARE MADE OF LIGHTNING!"
Sam stared at Zach, trembling. "Th-thank you…"
Zach helped him up. "You're okay."
Sam nodded weakly, but his bubble said:
"Grateful • Embarrassed • Relieved • Not ready for pitching"
Coach made a mark on his clipboard.
"Good effort, Sam. Take a break."
Blake Steps Onto the Mound
Blake's father clapped him on the back.
Too hard.
"Show them what real pitching looks like," he ordered.
Blake's bubble flashed:
"Fear • Fear • Fear • Determination"
Blake swallowed hard and stepped onto the mound.
He threw his first pitch—
FAST.
A perfect strike.
Parents cheered.
Blake threw again—
Another strike.
Then a third.
He was dominating.
Ramirez nodded approvingly.
But Zach noticed something strange.
Blake's breathing was too fast.
His shoulders too tight.
Every pitch had anger in it—not focus.
The fourth pitch—
CRACK.
A line drive straight at Blake's ankle.
Blake flinched too late—
THUD.
The ball hit his shin.
Blake stumbled and dropped to one knee.
His father sighed loudly. "Come ON, Blake. Shake it off!"
Kids winced.
Coach rushed over. "You alright?"
Blake tried to stand, grimacing. "I'm fine. I can still pitch."
Zach saw the truth in his bubble:
"Pain • Panic • Begging not to disappoint"
Zach stepped forward.
"You don't have to prove anything," he said quietly.
Blake turned away. "Yes. I do."
Coach hesitated… then put a hand on Blake's shoulder.
"You're done for today. Good work."
Blake looked devastated.
His dad looked furious.
But Blake limped to the bench silently.
And for the first time…
he didn't glare at Zach for watching.
Zach Takes the Mound
"Zach," Coach called. "You're up."
Tyler whispered, "Showtime."
Zach walked onto the mound.
The ball felt warm in his hand—
like it knew him.
The system chimed.
Ping.
"Pitching Mode Activated."
Stat Boost: +1 Control (Temporary).
New Micro-Skill Unlocked: 'Wind-Up Analysis.'"
Description: Improves pitch accuracy through mechanical awareness."
Zach took a deep breath.
Coach signaled.
"Easy fastball."
Zach wound up—
Released—
POP.
Right into Tyler's glove.
Tyler grinned. "Heck yeah!"
Parents murmured approvingly.
Coach nodded. "Again."
Zach threw a curve-style motion.
It wasn't a real curveball—he was too young—
but the motion created a soft arc.
POP.
Tyler laughed. "I love catching your pitches!"
Zach threw ten more.
Nine landed perfectly in the zone.
One bounced early.
Parents whispered.
Coaches exchanged looks.
Blake watched silently, jaw clenched—
but his bubble read:
"Respect • Envy • Determination • Acceptance (tiny)"
A Hidden Weakness Emerges
Coach called out, "Okay, now let's try a high pitch."
Zach nodded.
He threw upward—
but his form changed.
Shoulder lifted too high.
Arm angle warped.
The pitch went wild.
Coach frowned.
"Try again."
Zach did—
with the same flawed motion.
Wild.
Blake raised an eyebrow. "He can't throw high?"
Tyler blinked. "You… can't?"
Zach felt heat in his cheeks.
He could throw fast.
He could throw accurate.
But high?
He didn't know how to adjust.
Ping.
"New Weakness Identified: Vertical Angle Control."
Penalty: Difficulty adjusting high/low pitches."
Recommendation: Specialized training unlocked soon."
Zach swallowed.
"Oh…" he whispered.
Coach stepped toward him, not angry—just thoughtful.
"That's okay," Ramirez said. "Everyone has something to work on. This is yours."
Zach nodded.
Determined.
"I'll get better."
Blake surprised everyone by adding quietly:
"Yeah. You will."
Coach Assigns Positions
At the end of the day, Coach Ramirez gathered the team.
"Here are the preliminary positions for the start of the season."
Kids held their breath.
Ramirez read:
"Starting Pitcher: Blake."
Blake froze.
His dad beamed.
"Relief Pitchers: Sam and Zach."
Zach blinked. "Relief…?"
Tyler whispered, "It means you pitch when Blake gets tired or in tough situations. That's HUGE."
Zach's heart swelled.
"Shortstop: Zach."
"Catcher: Tyler."
Tyler pumped his fists. "YES!"
"Second Base: Emma."
"First Base: Jaden."
"Third Base: Noah."
"Outfield: Micah, Eli, Bryan."
Coach looked proud.
"This is a strong lineup. If we work hard, we'll be a great team."
Kids cheered.
Even Blake…
smiled just a little.
System Summary
As Zach left the field with Priscilla, the system chimed:
Ping…
"Season Preparations Complete."
Roles Assigned.
New Quest: 'Fix Your Weakness.'"
Focus: Vertical Angle Control Training."
Optional Branch: Help Blake handle pressure."
Zach looked up at his mom.
"Mom… I need to practice."
Priscilla smiled softly.
"I know, sweetheart.
And I'll help you all the way."
Zach hugged her waist tightly.
"I'm gonna get better."