Chapter 16 — Pressure at Home, Pressure on the Field
Blake didn't show up early to practice the next day.
Usually he arrived before most of the team…
either to impress his dad
or to avoid him.
But today, the team warmed up, chatted, stretched—and Blake was nowhere in sight.
Zach kept glancing at the parking lot, anxiety nibbling at his chest.
Tyler jogged over and whispered, "Maybe he's running late?"
Zach shook his head.
"No. Something is wrong."
He didn't know how—
but he felt it.
A Short, Hard Conversation
Blake finally arrived.
Not running.
Not stomping.
Just… walking.
Slowly.
His uniform shirt had a crease like it'd been grabbed.
His cheek looked flushed on one side.
And his eyes… were empty.
Blake's father didn't get out of the truck.
He just watched from behind the wheel, face stony.
Zach's system chimed instantly.
Ping.
"Emotional Alert: Blake is distressed."
Detected states: Fear • Shame • Exhaustion • Anger at self • Hopelessness (mild)"
Recommended Action: Speak gently."
Blake set his bag down and headed toward the dugout without looking at anyone.
Zach approached cautiously.
"Blake… are you okay?"
Blake froze.
He didn't turn around.
Didn't answer.
Zach gently touched his sleeve.
Blake jerked away—not in anger, but like someone flinching from a hot stove.
"I said I'm FINE," Blake muttered.
His voice cracked on the last word.
Tyler, standing behind Zach, frowned.
"He's not fine."
Blake clenched his fists.
"Just leave me alone."
Zach didn't retreat.
Instead, he whispered, "I'm here if you want to talk."
Blake swallowed hard.
His shoulders shook once—barely noticeable—
then he stormed past them toward warm-ups.
Tyler sighed. "He's breaking."
Zach said softly, "Then we help hold him together."
Coach Notices Something Wrong
Coach Ramirez began drills, but he kept glancing at Blake.
First Blake missed a simple grounder.
Then he overthrew a routine play.
Then he dropped a catch he normally handled easily.
Each mistake made Blake flinch—
not from pain,
but from fear.
Ramirez finally approached him quietly.
"You alright today?"
Blake nodded stiffly. "Yes, Coach."
"Looks like something's on your mind."
"No, Coach."
"You can tell me if—"
"I SAID I'M FINE!"
The field went dead silent.
Ramirez didn't yell.
He didn't scold.
He simply placed a hand on Blake's shoulder and spoke calmly.
"We all have bad days. But you don't have to carry everything alone, son."
Blake stared at the ground, jaw trembling.
He didn't answer.
Pitching Practice — The Breaking Point
Coach called pitchers to the bullpen.
"Blake, Zach—on the mound."
Zach jogged over.
Blake walked like someone carrying a heavy weight.
Tyler put on his catcher gear, watching them both carefully.
Ethan wasn't there today… and suddenly Zach wished he was.
As Blake took the mound, Zach saw his emotion bubble pulsing:
"Fear • Pressure • Desperation • Self-blame"
Coach signaled.
"Easy fastball."
Blake threw—
THUD.
Ball in the dirt.
Coach frowned slightly. "Try again."
Blake threw—
high, wild, and angry.
Tyler had to jump out of the way.
Blake muttered something under his breath.
"Again," Coach said gently.
Blake wound up.
His entire motion was wrong—
shoulders stiff, elbow tense, wrist too tight.
He threw—
CRACK.
The ball slammed into the fence five feet above Tyler's head.
Tyler shouted, "DUDE!"
Coach finally stepped forward.
"Blake. Stop. Take a minute."
"I CAN DO IT!" Blake yelled.
Everyone jumped.
Zach stepped back, eyes wide.
Blake's breathing was ragged.
Tears welled at the corners of his eyes, though he tried to hide them.
"Blake," Ramirez said softly, "I know what pressure looks like. You're drowning in it."
Blake shook his head violently.
"If I'm not perfect… Dad says I'm worthless!"
The whole field froze.
Tyler's jaw dropped.
Zach's heart shattered.
Even Coach Ramirez's face softened with deep sadness.
Blake Falls Apart
Blake's knees buckled.
He sank onto the mound, covering his face.
Kids whispered.
Parents watched tensely.
Ramirez knelt beside him.
"Blake… no one here thinks that. Not even close."
Blake shook his head, sobbing quietly.
"I can't mess up… I have to be the best…"
Zach walked forward slowly.
He approached like approaching a scared animal—
gentle, quiet, open.
He crouched beside Blake.
"Being the best doesn't matter," Zach whispered.
"Being happy matters. Being safe matters."
Blake sniffled, shaking harder.
Zach touched his shoulder lightly.
"You're not worthless. You're my teammate."
Blake looked up in shock.
Zach smiled softly.
"And my friend."
Blake broke.
He cried silently, shoulders shaking, face buried in his glove.
Tyler stepped beside Zach.
"And you're my friend too," he said, voice softer than usual.
Blake didn't answer—but he didn't pull away.
Coach's Decision
After Blake calmed down enough to breathe, Coach Ramirez stood and faced the team.
"Everyone," he said firmly.
"Hear me clearly."
Kids gathered around.
"Baseball is just a game. It's supposed to be fun. No one should ever feel like their value is tied to how they play."
Parents shifted awkwardly—some guilty, some thoughtful.
Ramirez continued, "Blake will be taking a short break from pitching until he feels ready. He will still play—just not with the pressure of the mound."
Blake's eyes widened.
"But I—"
"This is not a punishment," Coach said gently.
"It's protection."
Blake stared at the ground… then nodded weakly.
The System Reacts to Blake's Breakdown
As the team returned to warm-ups, Zach heard a deep chime in his head.
Ping…
"Major Quest Progress: Support Your Rival."
Breakthrough: Blake revealed emotional vulnerability."
New Path Opened: 'Healing Route.'"
Rival Relationship: +2 (Unstable Tolerance → Early Friendship)."
New Ability Unlocked: Empathy Boost (Minor).
Effect: Increased success rate when comforting distressed teammates."
Zach blinked.
Empathy?
He felt… warmer.
Steadier.
More aware of others.
He wanted to help.
A Small Moment of Connection
As practice ended, Blake approached Zach.
He looked embarrassed.
Worn down.
But calmer.
"Hey," Blake muttered.
Zach turned to him with a smile. "Hi."
Blake rubbed his arm.
"…Thank you. For earlier."
"You're welcome," Zach said simply.
Blake hesitated.
Then whispered:
"…Are we really friends?"
Zach nodded confidently.
"Yes."
Tyler slung an arm around both of them.
"Duh. Took you long enough to notice."
Blake actually laughed—
a small, broken laugh,
but real.
And that was the moment Zach knew:
They were healing.
Together.
The Season Is About to Begin
As the sun dipped low, the system gave one final message.
Ping…
"Season Start Event Begins in 3 Days."
Upcoming Challenges:
First official game
Player evaluations
Team cohesion test
Blake's emotional stability
Zach's pitching development
Prepare accordingly."
Zach took a deep breath.
Three days.
"Mom?" he said softly as they walked home.
"Yes, sweetie?"
"Can I practice extra this week? I want to be ready."
Priscilla smiled and squeezed his hand.
"Of course. I'm proud of you."
Zach looked at the field one last time.
"I want all of us to win. Together."