The Reluctant Pitcher by Matt Christopher Read Free Book Online Page A

it. When the Pacers came to bat, they rallied for two
     runs. The Warriors came right back and started pounding Wally without mercy. They got three men on before an out was made.
    Coach Hutter called time and walked out to the mound. “Wally,” he said, “what’s going on out here? If you ever want to be
     a good pitcher, you’ve got to learn to concentrate.”
    “But that’s just it, Coach!” Wally blurted. “I don’t want to be a pitcher! I just don’t feel right in this position.”
    Coach Hutter looked surprised. After amoment, he said, “How long have you felt this way, Wally?”
    “Always, I guess,” Wally said, hanging his head down. “I’m sorry, Coach. I know you hoped I’d be just like Del, but I’m not.”
    The home plate umpire gave a shout, signaling that time was running out. Either Coach Hutter had to replace Wally or let the
     game continue. Coach Hutter called for Terry Towns to check in for Wally. Then he walked Wally off the field and sat him down
     in the dugout.
    “Wally, I’m glad you told me how you feel. I’m sorry I put you in such a tough position — and I’m not talking about pitcher,
     either, though I guess that’s been rough on you, too. You and Del were good friends, but that doesn’t mean you had the exact
     same likes and dislikes or strengths and weaknesses. I’ve just been too blind to see that.”
    Wally toyed with his glove, then looked upat the coach. “I miss him, too, Coach,” he whispered.
    Coach Hutter smiled at Wally, his eyes a warm blue. “Then let’s go out there and win this game for him. What do you say?”
    Wally breathed deeply. “Does this mean I’m still in the game?”
    Coach Hutter smiled at him. “We need your hitting power, fella. You want a chance to get back those runs, don’t you?”
    Wally’s heart leaped. “Yes!” he said happily.
    “Okay. Take right field in place of Jamie Ferris. And, Wally —”
    “Yes, Coach?”
    “When you get to bat, drive that ball down their throats.”
    Wally’s face lit up brightly. “I will!” he cried, and sprinted out to the outfield.
    The coach waved Jamie in from right field, talked with Terry a bit on the mound, then walked off the diamond. The crowdcheered for Wally, but the biggest cheer sounded for Terry.
    “Come on, Terry!” yelled the fans, as Terry threw in some warm-up pitches. “Let’s get those Warriors out!”
    Terry pitched hard and did a good job. The Warriors went scoreless for three innings.
    Rocky led off again in the bottom of the fifth. He socked a two-one pitch for a double between left and center fields for
     his third hit of the game. The crowd applauded him. Rocky was having a great day.
    Wally stepped to the box. He tapped the tip of his bat upon the hard-rubber plate, then lifted the bat to a spot a few inches
     over his left shoulder and waited for the pitch.
    “Strike!”
    Another pitch. He swung.
Crack!
    The ball lifted into the sky toward right field. The crowd started yelling almost immediately. Everyone knew where that ball was going. . . .
    Over the fence for a home run!
    “Way to go, Wally! That’s the way to blast that ball!”
    Wally circled the bases. Rocky was waiting for him beside home plate, grinning happily. He shook Wally’s hand.
    “Beautiful hit, Wally!” he said.
    Next, J.J. Adams struck out. Pete Jason walked, then got out on a double play when Jamie hit to short. And the inning was
     over.
    Things popped wide open in the top of the sixth. The first Warrior flied out. But two singles in succession, then a walk,
     filled the bases. A good hit could put them into the lead again.
    In right field Wally tugged nervously on the brim of his cap and bent over, his hands on his knees. Batting for the Warriors
     was their third hitter in the lineup, a left-hander.

15
    C rack!
A high foul fly popped up over home plate.
    “I got it!” shouted Chris, throwing his mask aside. “I got it!”
    He moved this way and that under the ball. The ball was