Rounding the Bases (Closed)

[momoftwins13]

Payton Jones
Age: 18
High school senior

Payton couldn't remember ever being so excited for a day of school. It was the first day of her senior softball season. She had been on the team for the past three years- two of which were spent on varsity versus junior varsity.

She was the starting catcher for their team, the North County Cougars. She was one of the most outgoing and upbeat players, and was also pretty popular amongst the student body although she never let it go to her head.

At 5'2, 110 lbs she was petite and tiny- but she had flowing blonde hair, bright green eyes, and a bright smile that was always ready to light up the room.

She pulled on her softball pants and a tank top as she chatted with the team. Once she had her cleats on she jogged out of the locker room and on to the field.

"Y'all ready?" She asked her teammates as she got out there. "This seasons gonna be a hell of a good time".

 

[pjt7611]

Andrew Thorne
Age: 26
Teacher/Coach

Andrew walked into North County high school with his pack hanging over his shoulder. This school had been a great place to start his teaching career, but what he was looking forward to the most was his new coaching position that he had just been offered.

While in college, he was one of the better players on the baseball team and he could have gone anywhere with it. But he chose not to because he wanted to keep the love of the game and not just be playing because it was a paycheck. So, he finished his degree and became a teacher with a coaching job to go along with it. While it wasn't baseball, it was the next best thing.....softball.

School let out and he went through the gym to change. He made his way out to the field with the roster and began checking girls off the list. He finished with everyone there and was getting ready for them to start warming up by running across the field and back. When one more girl came through the fence yelling and headed for the other girls.

Andrew stopped and looked at her for a moment. "Uhhh miss....Excuse me?"

 

[momoftwins13]

Payton glanced at the sound of the voice. Oh shit. She had forgotten they had a new coach. Their old coach had retire last year. She glanced his way and had to do a double take. No way. This guy was young. And sexy as all get out.

He wasnt the new coach. He must be a new student but that was weird because it was a relatively small school and she hadn't heard about a new student.

"Hey! What's up? I'm Payton" she said with a charming smile.

 

[pjt7611]

Andrew watched her turn and stare at him. He looked at her and saw she was exceptionally good looking. Lapse in judgement for a moment here could be a bad thing. He snapped himself out of it.

"What's up? Are you fucking kidding me? What's up is that you are late for my practice. That was your one. Do it again and you are benched for the year."

 

[momoftwins13]

Payton froze and stared at the man before her. No way. Several of the girls snickered behind her and she shot them quelling looks.

"You're the COACH?" she asked, her bright green eyes wide. "I... Uh... Well, sorry... I had class across the school and I..." She stopped and stared at him. "Are you even old enough to ... Well... Never mind. I'm sorry I was late. Won't happen again."

Another girl, Sherry, chimed in, knowing Payton was a little late quite often throughout the year. "Sir! You can't bench Payton. She's our best player! We wouldn't have half of the hits we do without her and we would have double the stolen bases and past balls!"

It was true. Payton's softball skills were well known, but Payton grimaced. She had a feeling now was not the time for the girls to sing her praises.

 

[pjt7611]

He watched and listened as she stammered through her response. Then he replied in a half mocking tone. "Yes. I'm the uhh...new coach. And from now on do what you need to do to make it to practice on time. And you say it won't happen again? I sincerely hope it doesn't."

He turned his attention to the girl named Sherry. "So everyone considers her the star huh? Well, if the star is late then the rest of you better pay attention and learn to be just as good as her."

He walked towards the group of girls. "Now drop your gear and RUN!!"

 

[momoftwins13]

Payton's eyebrows came together in an annoyed look but she decided not to cause anymore waves and dropped her catchers gear before takin off with the rest of the pack of girls.

They made four laps around the field, chatting all the while. The general topic of conversation was that he was sexy... Which he was. But Payton commented on how much of an ass he was. The girls laughed.

"That's cause you were used to being the favorite with Coach Nughtingale. Now you are on the shit list" one girl said and Payton rolled her eyes but smiled.

"You're right. Wonder when he's gonna let us choose a captain" Payton thought out loud.

"Don't matter, Payton. You know you'll get it. You're already the unofficial leader of the team so you deserve it".

They finished running and walked back up to the coach, awaiting instructions in how he wanted practice to go.

 

[pjt7611]

As the girls ran around the field, his eyes were glued to Payton. 'Damn she's a pretty girl' he thought 'but she seems like the kind that if I give her an inch, she will take a mile.'

The girls finished their run and all headed back up towards the dugout where he was standing. They all looked at him expectantly. "Take a knee girls. My name is Andrew Thorne. Not only am I your coach but I'm a teacher here as well. You can call me Drew, Coach Thorne, but I never want to hear the word Mister come out of any of your mouths. I'm not old enough for that yet. Now, introductions aside, let's practice."

He walked over and picked up a couple of softballs and a bat. "Today, I will be watching and evaluating. I want to see bats swinging and balls in the air from everyone except Payton. You're with me."

 

[momoftwins13]

The girls were all beaming when Coach Thorne dismissed them. Some headed out into the field and two went to get batting helmets. They would hit balls for those in the field to practice with. Payton stayed behind by Drew.

"Why do i need to stay back? I could really use some practice hitting... Can't I go grab a helmet?" She asked knowing what she hadnt worked on recently. She was generally their top batter, but she hadnt practiced in weeks and knew she would be rusty.

"After that I could work on catching for a few of the girls..." She looked at him hopefully but his scowl pretty much have her the answer before he spoke it.

 

[pjt7611]

"You need to stay back because I said you need to stay back. This isn't the Payton show anymore. It's my rules or the bench. Not just for you, but for every girl on this team. So you can pass the word around when you get a chance."

He walked over and picked up the bucket of balls and began walking towards the mound. "By the way, you might want to get your gear on. I was a pitcher in baseball." He turned his head and looked at her with a smirk.

 

[momoftwins13]

Payton scowled openly at their new coach. She wanted to say something smart back to him but figured she had better play it cool. His remark about being a pitcher in baseball made her roll her eyes.

"I'm sure I can handle whatever you throw at me..." figuratively and literally.

She went and pulled on her feat protector and shin guards, then pulled her hair in a low ponytail, and slipped her helmet on over it. Last, she pulled on her face mask as she settled in behind the plate.

"Bring it on, Coach" she called out as she squatted down behind Ariel, the girl up to bat.

 

[pjt7611]

He stood on the mound and watched her as she pulled her pads and guards on. She settled in behind the plate and squatted down behind the batter. His face slowly broke into a wide grin. He knew this was fast pitch and underhand and he stood the judging her for a moment.

He settled on the mound and began his wind up then he launched one straight for her glove over handed. The girl at the plate. Ariel, jumped backwards, even though it was nowhere close to hitting her, as it shot past her.

 

[momoftwins13]

The ball came in a bit low and to the outside but still well within strike range, and Payton easily moved her glove to catch it. She saw Ariel jump out of the way and gasp and she hear several girls give "whoops" of cheer at the pitch. It stung a little but she didn't let on to that.

Payton moved to one knee and threw the ball back to Andrew.

"That all you got, coach?" She asked as he caught it, and she knew he probably couldn't see it well but she grinned quickly.

She settled back down behind the plate realizing this might come to be a sort of showdown. Ariel seemed hesitant to come back to the plate and stayed back.

"C'mon Ariel. He ain't that bad" Payton tainted an Ariel took a deep breath and stepped back up to the plate. Several girls in the outfield called out and cheered for Ariel.

 

[pjt7611]

He smiled at how quick she was with getting in front of the ball to keep it from going past her. He knew Ariel was timid about getting back up to the plate. So with her out of the way, he would put more into it.

Before Payton was squatted down completely, he drew back and let a second ball fly at her. She may still catch it, but with any luck, it would knock her on her ass. He watched and heard the ball as it smacked against the leather.

 

[momoftwins13]

Payton had only begun to squat down when the ball came flying in her direction. She quickly dropped to her knees to get in front of the ball and managed to snag it before it got past her. Several girls cheered again and laughed; thoroughly enjoying this show.

"Gotta do better than that to get it by Payton, Coach!" One of the girls in the outlets called and Payton smirked. She was in no way cocky but she knew she was a good catcher- damn good actually.

She managed to squat down again before he pitched this time, fully expecting a fast ball from him to try and blow it by her.

 

[pjt7611]

He turned on the mound and pointed at the girl in the outfield that had made the comment. He turned back around called out to Payton at the plate. He underhanded one up into the air knowing she would have to take off her mask to see it.

She jumped up and the mask came off to see the ball. As soon as she was up and watching the ball above her, he picked up another and threw it at her. It her her square in the chest pad. He didn't throw it hard enough to injure her but he knew she felt it.

He picked up the bucket and started walking back to the dugout. As he passed by her, he looked at her with a smirk. "Now you've been broken in."

 

[momoftwins13]

Payton threw down her mask and went to catch the ball. Just as the ball his her mitt she felt another ball hit her in the chest which knocked her backwards.

"What the fuck man!!!" She yelled out. She saw him laughing as he walked by. "That was cheating" she said more quietly.

They got down to practice then, hitting, fielding, a Payton working the pitchers. By the time they were done they were all hot and sweaty. Payton had smacked two balls over the fence easily, and only had or past ball when their pitcher Renee threw a wild pitch that was way out of reach.

She was drinking Gatorade when she sensed someone walking up behind her.

 

[pjt7611]

He sat in the dugout and watched all the girl fill their roles precisely. This was a damn good team he had. At the end of practice, the girls were gathering all their things while some were standing around hydrating.

He walked out of the dugout and headed towards Payton who was off by herself with her back to him. He walked up behind her. "Payton, we need to have a talk."

 

[momoftwins13]

Payton's moves slowed as he spoke behind her. She sighed and nodded. "Ok, can I throw my things in my truck first then meet you in your office... Or wherever?"

She had a sense of dread in her stomach. She had a feeling he was going to yell at her. For some reason from the beginning he had not been a huge fan of her which was a different feeling for her... She wasnt used to being not liked. Everyone liked her...

She went to put her things in her truck and then meet him.

 

[pjt7611]

"Yes, of course you can put your things in your truck. And my office is fine. If you don't know where it is, then just ask somebody. They'll point you there." Then he turned and walked away, headed towards the main building.

He went straight to his office and stepped through the door. It was his own personal area. He had trophies and awards on shelves for the times he was named as an all-star. He would look at them and think back. Damn, he wished he could play again but those days were long gone.

He went to his desk and sat down to grade papers and wait on Payton.

 

[momoftwins13]

Payton easily found his office and knocked on the door. When he called out he walked in and looked around. Trophies lined the walls as well as photos- solo and team.

There were even a few photos of him with famous athletes. Her eyes widened as she saw them.

"You met them? Cool" she said. "Uh, sorry. You wanted to see me?"

She was still a little sweaty, her hair was messy but still cute in its ponytail and her eyes practically shone as she stared at him waiting to see what he wanted with her after practice.

 

[pjt7611]

Once he heard her knock, he sat his pen down on the paper he was grading. "Come in Payton." He watches as she walked in and looked around. A slight smile came on his face as she asked about him meeting the players. "Yes, I met everyone and they were all unique in their own way. Now please, come have a seat."

"First off, are you okay from me hitting? Second, I would like to apologize for being hateful to you. I know the difference between a good player and a great player. I had heard about you before I came here and I wanted to see if you really lived up to the hype. You see, I saw a lot of myself in you as I watched you practice. I want the best and expect to be given from my players nothing less than exactly that."

 

[momoftwins13]

Payton sat down in the seat across from Drew and waited to be scolded or berated. Instead his words surprised her.

"I'm fine. It didn't hurt" she replied to his question about getting hit. His next words really surprised her. She listened to him quietly and then raised an eyebrow with a small smirk on her face.

"Well did I?"

At his confused look she clarified. "Did I live up to the hype?"

She knew she was a good softball player but apparently he had been an amazing baseball player judging by the awards crowding his office.

"Why'd you quit baseball? You were obviously really good".

 

[pjt7611]

As she asked, he looked at her blankly for a moment. Not wanting to show his enthusiasm of having such a good player under him. He finally responded with a slight hint of a smile. "Yes. Yes you did live up to the hype Payton. Your name had been passed around a lot so I was looking forward to seeing what you could do. You impressed me....in more ways than one."

Then she asked the question he didn't ever like talking about. He looked down at his desk, then he raised his head and looked around his office. "Yeah I was really good. One of the best. But that's a story for later....maybe."

 

[momoftwins13]

Payton got the feeling he didn't want to talk about why he quit baseball which made her all the more curious but she didn't pursue the subject. He decided to just let it go for now.

"I'm sorry I was late today. I always try not to be but my last class is across the school so I have to hurry. I'll try to be on time..." She gave him a small smile. "And I'm also sorry for bein rude when I first got here... I thought you were a student or something. You look so young for a teacher... What are you teaching anyway?"

She was curious about him... Not because he was gorgeous - that's what she told herself - but because he was their coach and it was good to get to know your coach.

Yeah, that was it.