Stick tore his hand free. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. But he couldn’t meet Nicky’s gaze.
The lines of players had stopped moving when Nicky did. Now the two teams gathered around Nicky and Stick. Turtleneck pushed his way next to Nicky.
“T., take a good look at the guy who locked us in the shed today,” Nicky said. Turtleneck’s eyebrows shot up.
“What’s going on here?” Coach Parker asked. The Bulls’ coach appeared beside him.
Nicky took a deep breath. “Coach, Stick Jolly is the reason Turtleneck and I were late to today’s game. He locked us in my shed. We would probably still be in there if my dad hadn’t let us out.”
“You can’t prove I did that!” Stick cried.
“I think I can,” Nicky said. He explained about the rut in the grass and the muffled laugh. “I figure he was trying to prevent me from breaking his brother’s RBI record,” he concluded.
The Bulls’ coach laid a heavy hand on Stick’s shoulder. “Well, son?” he asked. “The truth, now.”
Stick hung his head. “Yeah, I did it,” he whispered. “I got the idea from your dad that day your puppies got loose. I knew you were superstitious — I’ve seen that ritual you go through before you bat and all — and I overheard you and Turtleneck talking about it, too, just before I put the peg in the shed latch. So I figured, even if you did get out in time for the game, you’d think you’d been jinxed and wouldn’t play well.” He grimaced. “I guess it was pretty dumb, but that record is important to my brother. I-I’m sorry, Nicky.”
Nicky was quiet for a moment. Then he slowly extended his hand. “No hard feelings, Stick,” he said. The boys shook hands.
Suddenly Nicky grinned. “But let me tell you right now,” he said, “I’m only one away from that record — and I’ve got a sneaking suspicion I’m going to break it! I’m going to concentrate on playing, not on worrying about being jinxed. No more superstitious nonsense for me!”
Turtleneck punched him lightly in the shoulder. “Does that mean you’re not going to do this anymore?”
He picked up a bat and mimicked Nicky’s batting ritual perfectly. The Mudders all exploded with laughter.
Nicky grinned. “Well,” he said, scratching his head. “Maybe I’ll keep just one of my superstitions! After all, it’s worked for me so far!”
The action-packed Peach Street Mudders series by Matt Christopher:
All-Star Fever *
Centerfield Ballhawk
The Hit-Away Kid
Man Out at First
The Spy on Third Base
Zero’s Slider*
Join the Matt Christopher Fan Club!
To become an official member of the Matt Christopher Fan Club, send a business-size (9½″ × 4″) self-addressed stamped envelope and $1.00 to:
Matt Christopher Fan Club
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The Peach Street Mudders return in another action-packed adventure!
Like many ballplayers, Nicky Chong is superstitious. He performs a little pre-batting ritual each time he comes to the plate, and he’s afraid that a jinx might keep him from breaking the runs-batted-in record that’s within his reach. Then Nicky’s worst nightmare seems about to come true. Someone locks Nicky and Turtleneck Jones in a shed only moments before the Mudders’ second-to-last game of the season — and Nicky’s last chance to break the record! Will Nicky let the jinx stop him, or will he overcome his superstitions in time to foil his enemy?
Matt Christopher, the best-selling author of more than fifty sports novels for young readers, has written nine other books in the Peach Street Mudders series. For a complete listing of these titles and information on joining the Matt Christopher Fan Club, please turn to the inside cover of this book.
* Avalible in hardcover only
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