Zero's Slider

by Matt Christopher

  Chess patted his stomach and grinned. “I’m sure I’ll be able to fit that in!”

  Later that evening, after the dinner plates had been cleared away, Mrs. Ford brought out dessert. It was a chocolate layer cake with the words “Congrats on your new job!” written on top. Zero, Chess, and Mrs. Ford clapped as Uncle Pete cut the cake.

  When everyone had a piece, Uncle Pete turned to Zero. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stay for the rest of your game today, Zero,” he said. “But I was expecting a call about this job, so I had to get back home. How’d it turn out against the Bunkers?”

  “We won,” said Zero. Zero could feel Chess watching him carefully. He knew it was now or never.

  “Uncle Pete, Coach Parker is going on vacation next week, and we don’t have a replacement coach, and we’ll have to forfeit three games if we don’t find one, and so could you do it, please?” Zero blurted suddenly.

  Chess sighed with relief. Uncle Pete and Mrs. Ford looked at Zero in astonishment. Then Uncle Pete started to laugh.

  “It sounds like you’ve had that question bottled up inside you for some time now, pal. Must have taken this chocolate cake to pop out the cork!” he said, chuckling. “Well, it seems you’re in luck. I’ve got a few weeks before this new job starts, and I can’t think of anything I’d like to do more than spend time on a ball field. Why don’t you give me Coach Parker’s phone number so I can talk it over with him?”

  Zero thought he would burst with happiness.

  “You’re the greatest, Uncle Pete!”

  10

  Friday afternoon was clear and bright — a perfect day for the game between the Peach Street Mudders and the Joy Street Devils.

  Zero and Uncle Pete arrived at the ball field a little bit early so that Uncle Pete could talk to Coach Parker. Zero pointed him toward the dugout, then looked for Chess. Sure enough, the catcher was there already, going through his equipment. Zero ran over to him.

  “Uncle Pete called Coach Parker last night, but Coach Parker wasn’t home,” Zero informed Chess worriedly. “So he still has to talk to Coach about taking over. Do you think it will be okay?”

  Chess looked over Zero’s shoulder and grinned. “From what I can see, everything looks great!”

  Zero turned around in time to see Coach Parker shake Uncle Pete’s hand. Uncle Pete flashed Zero and Chess the “thumbs up” sign. The boys gave a cry of “Yes!” and slapped palms in the air.

  When the rest of the Mudders had gathered at the field, Coach Parker called them into the dugout. He rattled off the lineup, with Zero as pitcher and Chess in the catcher’s slot. Then he motioned Uncle Pete forward.

  “Boys,” he said. “I have some great news. Zero’s Uncle Pete has agreed to step into my cleats, so it’ll be full steam ahead for the Mudders while I’m on vacation!”

  The Mudders gave a loud cheer. Several boys slapped Zero on the back. Coach Parker called for quiet.

  “I’ve decided to hand the clipboard over to your new coach for today’s game so you boys can get used him,” he said. “And so he can see what he’s gotten himself into!” he added with a grin.

  Uncle Pete cleared his throat and tugged his baseball cap into place.

  “I’ll do my best to give you good coaching advice today and for the next two weeks. But let me just say this for now — I’ve watched you play many games, and I can’t think of a team I’d rather be a part of. You boys really know how to work together to make the plays happen. Now let’s get out there and show those Devils what we’re made of!”

  The Mudders let out a whoop and poured onto the field. Zero reached the mound and picked up the ball that was resting there. He thumped it into his glove, then looked at his right hand. His finger had only one small purple bruise left on it. As he threw his first warm-up pitches to Chess, he couldn’t feel any pain at all.

  And best of all, Zero hit the target every time.

  The First Chapter in a Lifetime of Reading

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  The Peach Street Mudders return in another action-packed adventure!

  The Peach Street Mudders are in trouble: They need to find a substitute coach quick. Pitcher Zero Ford would love to ask his uncle Pete to step in, but after his poor performance on the mound, he doubts his uncle would be interested. Then Zero injures his finger — and finds he can throw an amazing pitch that stumps every batter he faces! The question is, When the bandage comes off, will the slider — and Uncle Pete — disappear?

  Matt Christopher is the bestselling author of six 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 back cover of this book. Mr. Christopher lives in Rock Hill, South Carolina.