Prime Time Pitcher by Matt Christopher Page B

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 cried. “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 wemake 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 rightnow, 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!”
    “Well, we had a job to do that was even more important than the game!” Koby said.
    “We’ll have the final documentary finished by tomorrow,” Buck said, “and ready to air for prime time — Friday night at eight!
     I have a sneaking suspicion your family will be watching it.”
    “Yeah, and I’m going to be sure to make a copy and send it to Chuck!”
    Buck winked at him, then disappeared back into the station.
    Mr. Caplin looked at Koby quizzically. “What was that all about?”
    “You’ll see.” Koby smiled mysteriously.
    When Koby and his dad pulled in the driveway, Mrs. Caplin rushed out