Prime Time Pitcher by Matt Christopher

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 Sammywent 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 travel 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
    T he 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
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