Log:Beginner Baseball Training Practice

2019/09/26 	 Victory|Wade Maybri Artemis 1

Wade has a pitching machine set up in a makeshift baseball field. There are a few other Starguard agents here as well. He has turned this into a bit of an exercise outing for them. And it's a good time to teach Artemis about baseball. He says to her. "Remember how I mentioned the strike zone and how strikes and balls work in the game? We're going to use this machine here to simulate a pitcher."

Wade grins. "Because I just want to cover the basics and get some exercise. Practice hitting. Practice fielding. That kind of thing."

"Ah, might I try this?" Maybri asks, her outfit having changed from the point where she landed to the arrival, wearing full regalia of the Colonial Bay minor league team. "I've not played before, but I've seen it done."

Artemis has prepared for the occasion and the blending in. She's dressed in a raglan white and red t-shirt and short jean shorts, and white sneakers. "I recall a bit of it, yes. You hit the ball and run, but I do not understand why they don't simply tackle their way to the base. It would be more exciting," she grins.

Wade nods to Maybri, "Sure. You're welcome to give it a try." He smiles at Artemis's comment, "It's not a contact sport, for the most part. There are exceptions to the rule, though. The catcher can block home plate. But in general, you can't impede the runners."

Artemis might almost be pouting, but falls just short of it. "A touching game. Yes, you humans do like those."

Maybri grins, putting an arm around Artemis's waist a moment. "Ah, so what might be thought of as cheating? Considering what some here can do above and beyond the options of the typical giant."

"Tackling opponents--I mean...the other team?" Artemis hazards a guess.

Wade smirks. "There are a lot of things which are considered cheating. I'm going to suggest that I bring them up as I notice them. Because this isn't about teaching you every little rule, like balks and the infield fly rule. I want to give you an overview. Basics. So, if you see a game, you won't be completely confused."

Artemis leans in to whisper to Maybri, "But I hear thievery is permitted." She straightens up and pays attention to Wade, nodding at his comments.

Wade chuckles. "That's called 'base stealing." He points to the bases. "In general...runners are 'safe' when on the bases. They can't be tagged out when on them. But they want to get all the way around. One way to try to do that is to steal a base. When the pitcher goes to throw a pitch to the plate, the runner takes off. If their timing is good enough or they're fast, enough, they can get to the next base without getting tagged out."

Wade smiles. "There's a reason metas aren't allowed to play. Imagine a speedster on the bases. They'd get all the way around without the other players being able to do anything about it.

Wade says, "At least...metas can't play professionally."

Maybri grins. "Ah, so that bunch'd get their own game."

"Is this a forbidden crime, then?" Artemis asks with widening eyes. The profession comment explains it and she relaxes. "I see."

Wade seems to have anticipated Artemis's reaction. Hence the extra comment and the smile on his face. "I have to remember to be as explicit about what I say as possible." He chuckles. "Any other questions before I show you some basics about fielding and batting?"

A wooden bat is in Maybri's hand. "Seems quite the feat, striking something that size with something this wide. The things giants practice is a marvel."

Artemis shifts a little in place as she considers it. "Your explicitness is much appreciated, Friend Wade. I think I have no further questions for now. Let us begin!" she booms the last enthusiastically.

Maybri offers the wooden bat over to Artemis. "Here. One of your aims is to not break this." She grins good-naturedly. "If you do, don't hit as hard with the next."

Artemis takes the bat and weighs it in her hand. "This is but wood, though," she complains slightly at being asked the impossible. "I shall have to treat it gingerly...while hitting things with it. Hm."

"Ah, that's the right of it. I think you can do it and shine anyway," Maybri says, leaning on Artemis. "You're good at that."

Wade smiles. "Do yo uwant to try batting first, then? Or fielding?" He picks up a second bat for a quick demonstration on how to keep it from breaking as easily. "You wnat the grain of the bat to go in this direction. That way the bat will be sturdier when you strike the ball." He turns it in his hand to show off the grain of the wood. "You can base it on the label on the bat, which should end up right about here."

Artemis smiles down at Maybri. "If you say it, it must be so," she comments, knowing Maybri doesn't lie unless others are endangered by the truth. She looks back to Wade and studies him closely as he instructs. "I think batting." She looks inquisitive, then illuminated. She looks over her bat and adjusts it to hold it properly.

Wade nods. "One more thing. Let me show you proper technique for swinging. Once you get that down, you'll do well, I'm sure." He demonstrates a swing. Most of his weight is on his back foot, and he steps forward, keeping the swing nice and level.

Artemis steps away from Maybri just to make sure she's clear of swinging. She grips the bat with both hands and gives it a few swings. It takes a few times to get her footwork down, but the first few swings whiff heavily through the air because there's too much strength behind it.

Wade grins. "If you swing that hard, you'll miss a lot. There are plenty of batters like that in the majors. Always going for the home run. But they strike out often. You won't notice it much today with the pitching machine, but a good pitcher can get the ball to curve or wobble when he throws it, making it really hard to to hit."

Wade calls out to one of the SG agents, "Simpson, why don't you run the machine? And I suggest staying behind that protective net next to the machine. Launch, and duck." He points Artemis over toward the batter's box, and he grabs a glove for himself, heading into the infield.

Maybri bobs her head to greet the other players. "Fine day to you." Another bat just like the one Artemis has appears in her hand, a field glove upon the other. "Don't go easy on ne," she suggests. "I'll learn."

Wade chuckles and says to Maybri, "This is just practice. No straight competition, exactly. Everyone needs to practice fielding, throwing, and batting."

"Ah, that's all good then," Maybri nods. She slides her bat into a back holster, walking out where she is directed.

Simpson, a fairly athletic looking SG agent, says to Artemis, "Let me know when you're ready."

"So there is some strategy to the throwing. I see," Artemis says with interest. She steps into the batter's box and plants her feet the way she saw Wade do earlier. She swings the bat back and ready, trying to tell herself to go easy. Hit it no harder than you would a human. "Ready!" she calls.

Simpson says, "I have it set to a medium speed. Only about 40." He then launches the pitch. The machine does have a little play in how the pitch comes out, due to the ball's spin. So, it won't be the same every time.

It's a swing and a miss! Artemis went too slow to try and hit light.

Wade smiles. "Don't think about it too hard, Artemis. I can practically see you concentrating too hard from here." Simpson throws another pitch after Artemis re-sets.

Artemis resets herself and grins. "I can see more skill is required than I expected," she chuckles. Those concentration lines on her face ease up as she laughs and prepares to swing again.

Simpson smiles as Artemis whiffs again. But he's still pretty aware of what she can do to the ball when and if she connects. He sends another pitch her way.

Maybri smiles, snapping her fingers and a sheet of paper appears in front of Artemis for a moment. It reads, 'Pretend you're defending someone from flying rocks'

Artemis focuses again and swings, this time connecting with a loud crack.

The ball heads pretty far. Even with Artemis not putting her whole strength into it, it heads well into the outfield. One of hte other agents fields the ball and throws it back in toward Wade. Wade smiles. "Nicely done, Artemis."

Artemis smiles at having succeeded. "Thank you. I see it is trickier than it looks."

Following the practive, Maybri takes a full run to Artemis as Maybri. "I've come to have a subtle change," she informs with a grin. "If you haven't noticed, worry not. It's subtle after all!"

Artemis drops the bat as Maybri comes running for her. She lowers herself to brace for Maybri, scooping her up by her waist and hoisting her up as she twirls twice, inspecting Maybri as she does so. "Hmmm, be it your clothes?" she asks as she sets Maybri down gently.

"Ah, that's not a thing I'd consider subtle, I'm sorry to say," Maybri says, arms resting around Artemis's collar. "Remember when I told you remaining like this was exhausting? I think the sorcery that made it happen has adapted to me, or I to it."

Artemis nods slowly, but it looks like she doesn't quite understand. "Aye, you've only been able to remain for short periods of time before requiring rest. What mean you by adapted?"

Maybri grins. "I've been a giant since I got here, and played the giants' game. I feel fine. A bit like I just played a giant's game, for certain. I couldn't keep up that kind of movement for long. Now I can. It's new. I'll not say whether it's also good. I can't."

Artemis smiles at the revelation. "Perhaps the practice has increase your endurance," she smiles. "I imagine it must be good so you have more choice on when to remain a giant."

"A turn for the better," Maybri replies. "But I'll not forget myself. This makes it easier to forget, and I have to wonder if that's part of the spooky giants' plans. They seem a kindly lot. But then, a kindly smile is the most dangerous weapon."

"I would say an orbital death weapon is the most dangerous, but I understand your meaning," Artemis grins. "Who are these spooky giants you speak of?" she asks more sincerely.

Maybri's outfit changes to something resembling a Man in Black. Dissimilar enough to the ones that attacked Sona. "One of them convinced me to hear them out, that I might make my stay in this world easier," she explains. Her outfit changes to something much more casual, similar in style to Artemis. "They're the ones that placed the sorcery upon me that I could walk as a giant."

They look similar enough that Artemis may not know the difference. "Hrmm. Those who wear this uniform seem to be dangerous.Sorcerers, you say?"

"Yes, the ones I met. Sorcerers, not dangerous." Maybri smiles. "It's not the same bunch as our foes. Just a popular look with some specific kinds of giant."

Artemis still looks a little concerned. "Must be. Perhaps the others tried to disguise themselves as the helpful sorcerers." She sighs. "Our friend Voyager has not yet been repaired."

"I could ask if they show themselves to many," Maybri muses. "Sometimes I spot one watching me but they seem to like not being out in the open very much." She inclines her head. "Ah, I trust those we brought that one to, because you trust. With time, we shall know."

"I trust in their skills," Artemis agrees. "We must exercise patience with NashCo." She looks about. "Are the sorcerers watching now?"

Maybri smiles. "Not here, I'd imagine. Not many spots to hide away and escape if they are seen. Quite the shy bunch. Nice to talk to at least." She steps closer to draw her arms around Artemis's waist. "Now that I'm not worried of what happens when I eat or drink in this form, I'd be thrilled to join you in that when next you fancy it."

Artemis drapes an arm around Maybri. "What did you fear would happen eating as a giant?" She suddenly appears to be imagining the worst case scenario of the food not shrinking with Swarmer.

Maybri grins. "Ah, exactly what you're worried about now, I think."

"Yes," Artemis says with some mortification. "How long do you think you can stay a giant and be safe from food?"

Maybri smiles. "Since I can stay as long as I please, I simply made a little test. Just a little more than I could comfortably eat, then changed to become a giant, and ate, then returned to my normal size again. It's a bit easier think now. So...the food changed size with me. I couldn't tell I'd even eaten anything."

Artemis smiles brightly. "Then we can truly feast after our next great victory!" she cheers.