The next day after school, Daniel met Jake, Ian, and Max at the baseball field for the first official practice where he would take his first real steps onto the diamond. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the dirt. The air smelled of grass, fresh dirt, and the familiar scent of sunscreen. It felt like a real game was just around the corner—yet here he was, still a raw beginner, surrounded by teammates who had years of experience.
Jake led the way, his baseball bat resting on his shoulder. "Alright, Daniel. Today's your turn to show us what you can do. We're gonna do a little practice drill. Max is on defense, Ian's gonna hit, and I'll be catching. We'll work on your pitching and fielding, see what you've got."
Daniel nodded, his heart pounding. He had practiced throwing stones back home, but this was different. This was baseball, and there were so many more moving parts. But he was determined to give it everything he had.
"Let's go!" Jake called out, tossing a ball into the air to start the drill.
Max took his position at first base, his sturdy form crouched and ready for any throws that might come his way. Ian stood on deck, gripping a bat with confidence. Jake positioned himself behind home plate, a catcher's mask perched on his head, ready to receive Daniel's throws.
Daniel stood on the pitcher's mound, holding the ball in his hand, trying to calm his nerves. He'd never thrown a baseball like this before. But the familiar feeling of the ball in his hand gave him a sense of comfort. He could do this. He had to.
Jake gave him a thumbs-up from behind the plate. "Just aim for Max at first base for now. Don't worry about anything else—just get the ball to him. We'll work on your technique later."
Daniel took a deep breath, focused on Max at first base, and wound up for his first pitch. He pulled his arm back, his muscles tensing in anticipation. With a sharp exhale, he released the ball, sending it hurtling toward Max.
Max's glove snapped shut with a solid thwack, and the ball hit its mark perfectly. Max gave a short nod of approval, then tossed the ball back to Daniel. "Not bad, new guy."
Daniel smiled to himself. The first throw had gone well, but he knew he had to do more than just throw the ball straight. He had to throw with precision, with force. He had to make an impact.
Jake caught the ball and called out to him. "Alright, now let's step it up. Ian's going to bat now, so we need to see what you've got. Don't be afraid to really throw it."
Daniel nodded, taking another deep breath. Ian stepped up to the plate, his bat resting on his shoulder, a relaxed but confident stance. He winked at Daniel. "Let's see what you've got, man. Try to make me sweat."
Daniel grinned. Ian wasn't going to make this easy, that was for sure. He wound up again, focusing on the rhythm of his throw. This time, he put everything into it. He could feel the power in his legs, the momentum building as he released the ball. His body flowed in a perfect arc, a motion he had done hundreds of times when he threw stones back home—but now it was with the weight and precision of a baseball.
The ball shot off his fingers like a bullet, cutting through the air with an unnatural speed. Ian didn't even have time to blink. He swung his bat just in time, but the ball was already past him, whizzing toward Jake behind the plate.
Jake barely had time to react. The ball slammed into his glove with a force that made him stumble back slightly. He looked at the ball, wide-eyed, before glancing up at Daniel in shock.
"Holy… what the hell was that?" Jake muttered, staring at the ball still nestled in his mitt.
Max, who had been watching from first base, was also taken aback. "That's not normal," he said, his voice filled with awe. "You've got a hell of an arm."
Ian stepped out of the batter's box, his mouth hanging open. "I didn't even see it! That thing was like a blur!"
Daniel looked at his teammates, surprised at their reactions. He'd thrown fast, sure, but this was a different kind of speed. This wasn't just about throwing—it was about power, precision, and something that went beyond simple practice.
Jake shook his head, finally finding his voice. "I thought you were just a small-town kid throwing rocks. What the hell, man? That was like a major league fastball."
Daniel blinked, unsure how to process their reactions. He hadn't expected that much of a response to one throw. "Uh, yeah. I guess I just… put everything into it."
"No kidding," Max said, his expression still one of disbelief. "I think we've got ourselves a secret weapon here."
Jake grinned widely, tossing the ball back to Daniel. "This is gonna be a hell of a season, man. With that arm of yours, we'll have the competition on the ropes in no time."
Daniel felt a rush of excitement bubble up inside him. This was real. This was his moment. He had no idea how his ability to throw stones had translated into a baseball pitch, but if it could get his teammates that excited, maybe he was finally starting to find his place here. Maybe he wasn't just the new kid. Maybe, just maybe, he could be something more.
"Alright, new guy," Jake said with a grin, "let's see if you can top that throw."
Daniel nodded, the pressure lifting off his shoulders. This was just the beginning, but it felt like a damn good start.