Too Hot to Handle by Matt Christopher Read Free Book Online

away.
    Coach Beach chuckled. “Never underestimate the power of an umpire,” he said.
    David pressed the helmet down comfortably on his head and waited for Rocky to pitch. He had made up his mind to swing at the
     first good one that came in.
    Rocky toed the rubber, looked at the runners on base, then delivered. It was high.
    Rocky came in with the next pitch, and David swung. His bat met the ball solidly, and he knew instantly that this time the
     ball was going.
    He saw the first-base coach smiling and swinging his arm like a windmill, urging David on to second. David kept going. He
     saw that the ballhad just struck the fence in left center field, that it had bounced back and both left and center fielders were chasing after
     it.
     

    He rounded second and went on to third. He reached the base standing up for the longest triple he had ever hit, scoring Rex
     and Bonesy.
    Steve Pierce belted his second single of the game, scoring David. The coach had Jerry Hines pinch-hit for Brad. Jerry flied
     out, then Ken struck out to end the big inning.
    “Beautiful hit, David,” said the coach. “Too bad it wasn’t just a wee bit higher.”
    David grinned. “Thanks,” he said. He turned and went out to the field.
    The Flickers were ahead now, 6 to 5. David felt good. Now, if only the Flickers could protect that lead.
    The Canaries didn’t get a man past first base that bottom half of the fifth. In the top of the sixth Herm Simmons pinch-hit
     for Chugger. He singled to start things off for the Flickers. Jimmylaid down a sacrifice bunt, putting Herm on second. Rex lifted a long fly to center that was caught.
    Marty drilled a liner at the third baseman. The third sacker fumbled it and was puzzled for a moment trying to find it. He
     finally picked it up just a few feet behind him. The second-base coach had Herm play it safe.
    It turned out to be a good idea, for Bonesy blasted out a double and Herm scored. David fouled two pitches, then struck out.
    The Canaries were solemn birds as they came to bat for the last time. Even their fans had become saddened and quiet.
    Jerry, pitching now in place of Brad, walked the first batter. There followed two outs in succession. Then the Canaries began
     belting the ball. They scored a run and had two men on bases when David fielded a ground ball and touched third for the last
     out.
    The Flickers jumped and yelled with joy at the victory. They had played the best team inthe league and had won. They had clipped the Canaries’ wings.
    Ann Marie smiled proudly at David as they left the ballpark and headed for home. “That was a beautiful hit, David,” she said.
     “You played wonderfully today.”
    “Sure did,” said Dad. “I wish Don could have been here to see you.”
    David smiled. He had bobbled a couple today, but that triple with two men on bases had sure made things a lot brighter.

11
    D AD took David with him to the hospital later that evening to bring Don home. Don was glad to leave — but not especially so.
     As a nurse pushed Don out of his room and down the long white corridor, other nurses looked on regretfully.
    David grinned. Don’s magnetic personality had even conquered the nurses.
    Dad helped Don onto the backseat of the car, then placed the two crutches in beside him. Don thanked the nurse, said good-bye
     to her and leaned back comfortably against the seat.
    “Home, Dad,” he said.
    He sat with his bad leg on the seat. David, sitting beside Dad, saw that the cast was covered with autographs. Probably every
     visitor from school had signed his or her name on it.
    After they drove awhile Don asked David about how the Flickers were doing. And how he was doing at third.
    “We beat the Canaries today,” replied David. “I had two errors,” he added solemnly.
    “But he hit a triple and knocked in two runs,” said Dad. “He helped win the ball game.”
    Don’s face brightened. “Fine,” he said. “Wait’ll tomorrow. We’ll go down to the field and give