Chapter 39: Practice Showdown

Linus jogged out onto the field, his nerves a mix of excitement and tension. Coach Chris had set up a special practice today—a live at-bat session where the team would simulate a game with their own pitchers and fielders. 

Linus knew this meant he'd get to bat against Lukas and Filip, two of the best pitchers on the team, and he couldn't shake the mixture of nerves and eagerness that surged through him. This wasn't just a batting drill; this was the closest he'd get to facing really good pitching, even if it wasn't in a real game.

Lukas was the first pitcher on the mound, warming up with his usual flair. His fastball had a sharp edge, cutting through the air with a confidence that matched his personality. Linus watched him carefully from the dugout, trying to pick up any small movements that might clue him in on what was coming. Despite knowing it was just practice, he could feel his heart racing, knowing he'd soon face those intense pitches.