Free Prime Time Pitcher by Matt Christopher Page B

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 thepitcher’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