Prime Time Pitcher

by Matt Christopher

  Coach Tomashiro regarded Koby silently for a moment, then laid a hand on his shoulder. “Koby, I was against doing this TV show from the beginning, even though I knew it could help bring fans to the stands. But I wanted to put a stop to the whole thing when I saw what it was turning you into. I kept my mouth shut, though, because I needed to know you could find your way back by yourself. I’m very glad you did.”

  “Thanks, Coach,” Koby said with a small smile. Coach T. returned the smile, then sent Koby over to the backstop, where Tug was waiting.

  “Ready to catch some pitches, Tug?”

  “We’ve got to get ready for the game, don’t we?” Tug said matter-of-factly.

  Koby threw his routine of warm-up pitches.

  And Tug caught them.

  In dead silence.

  When the umpire called for the game to begin, Koby couldn’t let the silence continue. He had to say at least one thing to Tug.

  “You signal; I’ll throw,” he said simply.

  Tug glanced at him and, after a beat, nodded slowly.

  “OK, team, everyone on the bench!” Coach Tomashiro yelled. “Everyone’s hands in the middle for the last time this season!” he said as he looked every player in the eye. “Together: GO, CARDINALS!”

  “GO, CARDINALS!” the team yelled.

  “Now, get to your positions! The game is going to start.”

  “PLAY BALL!” the umpire roared.

  Koby trotted to the pitcher’s mound and stooped to pick up the rosin. He scanned the crowd and saw Sara, his parents, and his teachers sitting nearby. He spotted Dan and Buck, too. Buck’s camera was at his shoulder, ready to capture the action.

  OK, this is your chance to make things right, Koby reminded himself.

  Koby had to battle not only the Runkle School artillery but ninety-degree heat as well. He went into his trademark high-kick windup and unleashed a sizzling fastball high and outside to the first Firebird at the plate. The crowd rallied behind the first pitch.

  “Ball one!” shouted the umpire.

  Koby’s teammates were silent behind him. “Hey, this isn’t a funeral, you guys! Talk it up!” yelled Coach Tomashiro.

  The defense perked up. But knowing they were cheering for him only because the coach had ordered them to made Koby feel awful. He suddenly realized how much he depended on their support.

  He walked the batter on four straight pitches.

  The next batter sliced Koby’s fastball up the middle. Sandy dove to his right, but the ball beat his outstretched hand.

  The Firebird fans went wild.

  Runners at first and second. Sweat poured from Koby’s forehead as he rubbed his face on his sleeve.

  He threw his next pitch into the dirt. Tug managed to recover it, then asked for time and walked the ball to the mound.

  Tug handed the ball to Koby and said, “Remember, this is for the team championship of the conference.”

  Koby said in a soft voice, “I know. Believe me, Tug, I know.” He caught Tug’s eyes for an instant. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he saw a spark of their former friendship light up in them. Then Tug turned his back and headed for home plate.

  With renewed intensity, Koby buckled down, but he couldn’t find the strike zone. Working to a 3 and 1 count, the batter took his chances and watched the next pitch go by for ball four.

  The Cardinals fans were silenced, and Koby’s teammates were stunned.

  Suddenly a voice called out. “C’mon, Kobe! You can do it!” It was Tug.

  Scoop’s big voice followed moments later. “Come on, Kobe! You got what it takes!”

  “You got it, man!” Billy added. “This is Cardinals ball we’re playing!”

  The rest of the team joined in the chatter.

  With bases loaded, the Firebird batter was looking at a chance to score some runs.

  Koby dug his cleat into the dirt and kicked at the pitcher’s mound. Taking a deep breath, he bore down and threw a smoker.

  Phwap!

  The Hummer hugged the ball as the batter got nothing but air.

  The next pitch was foul-tipped to the backstop.

  The batter was in the hole with an 0-2 count. As he let loose his third pitch, Koby felt like he was getting back in control.

  The batter swung for more air. Strike three! Suddenly the stands came alive.

  “Ko-by!” rocked the fans. “Ko-by!”

  The next batter hit a dribbler back to Koby. Koby checked the runner at third and then threw to Prez at first. Prez snagged the throw seconds before the batter crossed the base. Out number two.

  The next Firebird hit a routine fly to Beechie in center, and the side was retired in order.

  Beechie led off the Cardinals’ offensive attack with a double to right. Koby followed with a walk, and K.O. connected for a double, scoring Beechie and sending Koby to third. Tug popped out to second, but Koby tagged up and crossed home plate. Then Scoop singled, but the first baseman nabbed K.O. at third.

  “Nice try, K.O.!” Coach T. yelled. “We’ll get ’em next time!”

  Prez grounded out to third to end the inning.

  Two runs, three hits, and one runner left.

  Going into the second inning with a two-run lead helped the team find it’’s full voice. Though they weren’t yelling specifically for him, their enthusiasm fired up Koby’s confidence.

  Koby retired the first two batters he faced.

  Next up was Sammy Transom, Koby’s opposing pitcher and an excellent scratch hitter. Sammy crouched down so low that the strike zone seemed smaller than a bread box.

  Koby went to work.

  He threw a low and inside pitch that Sammy pulled down the third base line for a base hit. The next batter hit a line drive right into Prez’s waiting glove. The inning ended with Sammy stranded at first.

  At the end of three innings, the Cardinals still held on to their two-run lead.

  In the top of the fourth, the first Firebird up punched a one-hopper to right for a base hit.

  Next up was Sammy. Koby tossed him a series of low and inside sidearm pitches that Sammy lunged at like a blindfolded child going after a piñata. But Koby had his number, and Sammy went down swinging.

  The next batter, Skip Wright, singled to left, sending the runner to third. Runners on first and third. The next batter hit a slashing ground ball to Papo, who flipped it to Sandy at second for the out.

  But the runner at third scored on the play, and the Firebirds went on board with their first run.

  Koby got the next batter to fly out to Beechie to retire the side. Score: Cardinals 2, Firebirds 1.

  In the bottom of the fourth, Papo and Billy started the inning with pop fly outs to short center. Sandy and Beechie countered with back-to-back singles. With runners on first and second and nobody out, Koby stepped up to the plate. Sammy had a score to settle since Koby had fanned him the last time out.

  Koby looked at the first two pitches — one ball and one strike.

  Sandy took a big lead off second, and Sammy went for the pickoff. Sandy dove into the bag for a sand sandwich.

  “Safe!” the umpire shouted.

  Koby suppressed a grin. Thanks, Sandy, he thought. I appreciate you rattling our friend Sammy out there!

  Sammy threw a fastball, and Koby went after it, shooting for the stars.

  Nothing.

  The count was 1 and 2.

  Sandy and Beechie were ready to fly.

  Koby stepped out of the batter’s box.

  “Time!” yelled the ump.

  Koby tapped his cleats with the bat. He checked out the bench. Coach Tomashiro was standing there with his arms crossed in front of his chest. Then Koby spotted Sara in the stands. She stopped writing and returned his stare.

  The quiet of the moment turned to a chorus of cheers as the Cardinals fans chanted, “Ko-by!”

  Koby stepped back into the box. Sammy threw a fastball as Koby pulled his bat as far back as he could, feeling his muscles stretch. The ball seemed to t
ravel in slow motion as it crossed the plate.

  Crack!

  Koby slammed a solid single over the shortstop’s head and loaded the bases.

  The fans were cheering, but they weren’t yelling for Koby. The name they were calling was K.O., who strode to the plate. Koby knew he was hoping to send at least one of his teammates home.

  He didn’t. He popped out to end the inning.

  Disappointment written all over his face, K.O. dropped the bat and removed his batting helmet.

  Koby jogged in. He was disappointed, too, but he didn’t want K.O. to feel any worse.

  “That’s OK, K.O.!” he cried. The cheer was taken up by the rest of the Cardinals. Soon the fans were yelling it, too.

  “That’s OK, K.O.! That’s OK, K.O.!”

  K.O. finally cracked a smile and headed out to his position.

  As he passed Koby, he stuck out his hand and said, “Thanks, man.”

  Koby grinned and slapped K.O.’s palm. “That’s what teammates are for.”

  13

  The Cardinals held on to their 2-1 lead into the top of the sixth.

  One more inning till the Meadowbrook Championship is ours! Koby thought excitedly.

  The first Firebird batter popped a high fly ball that Prez snagged at first. With one down, the next batter up hit a hard bouncer over the second base bag just out of Sandy’s reach.

  The runner challenged Koby at first by taking a big lead. Koby looked him back, but the runner was off once Koby committed to his pitch.

  Tug was ready. He threw a bullet from his crouching position. Sandy was in place as the runner dove headfirst into the second base bag.

  “Out!” shouted the umpire.

  Koby gave Tug and Sandy a thumbs-up.

  “TUG! SANDY!” rallied the crowd.

  With two down, the batter outran a hard-hit grounder. Runner on first, and Sammy was up at the plate.

  Koby looked at Tug’s signals. He nodded and threw an off-speed pitch that kissed the inside corner.

  “Strike one!” yelled the ump.

  Sammy readied himself for the next pitch.

  Koby went back to the inside, but the pitch was right at the numbers. Sammy punched it over the outstretched hands of Scoop in left field. Two runs scored as the runner and Sammy both crossed the plate.

  Firebirds 3, Cardinals 2.

  “Maybe he wants it more than you!” a fan yelled at Koby.

  Koby nervously touched the brim of his cap as he stood on the mound.

  “You’ll get the next guy!” Tug yelled.

  “Yeah, no prob!” shouted Billy.

  “This game is ours!” Papo joined in.

  “This game is ours!” Prez echoed. “We can do it!”

  “Let’s go, Koby! You’re our man!” barked K.O.

  The whole Cardinals squad joined in the chatter. Koby’s heart soared. He faced the next Firebird hitter with a steely look of determination.

  Three straight pitches, and the batter went down swinging for the third out.

  The team hustled in from the field, eager to get their last ups.

  “Wait for your pitch, Cardinals!” ordered Coach Tomashiro. “Let the pitcher pitch to you.”

  Beechie led off with a dribbler right back to the pitcher. He sped down the first base line, but Sammy threw him out by half a step.

  Next up: Koby. The fans were on their feet.

  Koby stepped into the box with a resolute look on his face.

  Sammy threw him a speeder down the middle, and Koby scratched out a base hit into short right.

  The crowd and his team were with him all the way.

  K.O. followed with a line out to short. Koby took a few steps but stayed on first.

  Two outs, one man on.

  Tug walked up to the plate.

  “C’mon, Tug, you can do it, you can do it!” Koby hollered. The stands took up the cheer.

  Sammy worked a 2-2 count. Tug took the next pitch and fouled it off the backstop.

  He stepped out of the batter’s box, ran his hands up and down the bat, then stepped back in. The fans were roaring, but now Koby was silent. With all his mental strength, he willed Tug to make a hit.

  Sammy bore down and threw the next pitch with everything he had.

  Crack!

  Tug connected for a tape-measure homer that sailed over the left-field fence!

  The Cardinals won the game and the Meadowbrook Conference!

  “Yahoooo!” roared the crowd. “TUG! KOBY! CARDINALS! CARDINALS!”

  As the bench cleared to welcome Koby and Tug to home plate, Coach Tomashiro bear-hugged every player in sight.

  Dan and Buck raced to the plate to catch the excitement on film. Koby and Tug were buried in a pileup. Buck kneeled on the ground to get a good shot of Koby.

  Koby yelled loudly and clearly into the camera, “I’m not the story — the Cardinals are!” He pointed to the mass of knees and elbows all around him.

  Dan offered his hand, “Here, Koby, let me help you up!” He pulled a happily grinning Koby free from the pileup.

  “Thanks, Dan. I felt like a sardine down there!”

  Dan ushered Koby away from the crowd.

  “Koby, I hate to pull you away from the celebration, but if we’re going to get to the studio to look through the new material, we don’t have any time to waste.”

  Koby nodded quickly. “I’ve got some ideas about some other stuff we can do, Dan. Is that OK?”

  “Why don’t you explain it to me on the ride over?” Dan turned to his cameraman. “Buck, hand me the tape from your camera, and you can use a fresh one to finish up here. As soon as you’re done here, race back to the station!”

  “OK, chief !” Buck said with a smile. “But before I forget, Kobe, good going, man! You guys are really champs!”

  “Thanks, Buck, I really appre —”

  “Hey, you guys, don’t get sentimental on me! We’ve got a job to do,” Dan said as he nudged Koby along through the crowd.

  14

  Dan and Koby pulled into the Channel 5 side lot and parked the van. They hurried into the station but were stopped by a security guard behind a giant counter.

  “Hey, Dan, where’s the fire?” the security guard asked.

  “I’ve got a deadline, Fred,” Dan said. “Koby, here, is with me.”

  “OK. He’ll have to sign in, and then I’ll buzz you both through.”

  Koby dashed off his signature and followed Dan down a long hallway. When they reached the stairway, Dan pushed open the heavy metal door and took the steps two at a time. Koby tried to keep up with him.

  “Here we are!” Dan said as he pushed open a black door. “This is the editing room. First thing we are going to do is work on making a new promo. I’m going to load today’s tape into the editing system. Look at the viewer, and we can decide if we can use anything from today’s shooting. Then we’ll finish up the documentary.”

  “Gotcha!” Koby said enthusiastically.

  “This new promo has to be ready to air during tonight’s six o’clock news.”

  “OK, chief,” Koby said with a big smile, enjoying his role as a video assistant. “And Dan, I want to thank you for doing all this for me.”

  “Now, I already told you not to get all sentimental on me. Remember, I’m a hard-nosed TV producer. Anyway, I think I need to be thanking you for reminding me what’s really important about playing sports. As soon as Buck gets here we’ll — speaking of the devil!”

  “OK, guys, here’s the rest of today’s action,” Buck said as he flung open the door. “I got some good shots of the postgame celebration, and I think there are a few good sound bites that we can use for the promo.”

  “Good,” said Dan. “Now, let’s get busy, because we’re going to have to go into overdrive to get everything done. It’s four-thirty, so that gives us an hour or so to put something together.”

  Together, Dan, Buck, and Koby reviewed footage from the game.

  “Wait! Stop!” Koby cri
ed. “That’s the bit I want you to use.” Dan stopped the tape, rewound it, and played the segment again.

  He glanced at Buck, then asked Koby if he was sure.

  “Positive.”

  Dan grinned. “OK, then. It works for me. Now, we’ll add some music underneath, and then we’ll have to redub the narration. I can handle that part. Buck, take Koby into a studio and get a camera on him. Koby has one last thing he wants to add to the documentary. If it works out OK, we’ll use it. But Koby, if it doesn’t, we’ll have to use what we’ve got already. OK?”

  Koby nodded. “But don’t worry. I know it will work out.”

  Buck stood up. “Well, it will only work out if we make it — and we’re running out of time! So let’s move.”

  Buck ushered Koby into a studio and sat him on a chair near a microphone. He fiddled with some lights, then adjusted a camera until it was pointing right at Koby.

  All the while, Koby quietly rehearsed what he wanted to say.

  Finally, Buck told him they were ready to begin. “When I say go, you say your piece,” Buck called as he disappeared into the equipment area. “OK, ready? Go.”

  Koby looked directly into the camera. He took a deep breath, then started talking.

  Three minutes later, he was done.

  Buck hurried out. “Nice job, Koby.”

  Koby looked up at him. “You think so?”

  Buck patted him on the shoulder. “Definitely. I wouldn’t change a thing. You really got to the heart of the matter — and professionally speaking, you looked and sounded good doing it. Ever think of doing this sort of thing for a living?”

  Koby cracked a grin. “Maybe someday. But right now, I’ve had just about enough of being in the spotlight!”

  Dan stuck his head in the door. “Good, you guys are done. Koby, your dad called. He’ll be here in a few minutes to pick you up. You’ll probably get home just in time to see the promo air.”

  “I can’t wait to see it!”

  When Mr. Caplin phoned up from the security desk, Buck walked Koby downstairs.

  “You’ve got a lot to be proud of today, Mr. Caplin,” Buck said to Koby’s dad.

  “I sure do.” Mr. Caplin ruffled his hand through Koby’s hair. “You know, son, your mom and I didn’t even get a chance to congratulate you after the game this afternoon. When Dan phoned yesterday to say that he’d be taking you to the studio right after the game, I now see he really meant right after the game! You were gone like a flash!”