Free The Catcher's Mask by Matt Christopher, Bert Dodson Page A

he picked it up and tugged it into place.
Bet I would have had that one if this stupid thing hadn’t gotten in my way. Then that Fuzzy wouldn’t be laughing.
    With Alec standing up at second and Ron on third, Andy Campbell, the Bunkers’ next hitter, came up to the plate. He creamed
     Zero’s first pitch for a home run over the left field fence. That really gave the Bunkers’ fans something to scream about.
    The Mudders fans weren’t silent, either. “How about giving your pitcher a pep talk, catcher?” someone in the crowd yelled.
     “Or don’t you know that’s part of your job?”
    Rudy did know that. But he usually joined Coach Parker at the mound. He had never gone out on his own before. And he wasn’t
     about to try it now.
    He didn’t have to. Zero seemed to muster his strength. He struck out the next hitter, and the next one flied out to end the
     inning.
    The score read Bunkers 4, Mudders 1.
    Alfie Maples, leading off the top of the second inning for the Mudders, laced Alec Frost’s third pitch for a single over short.
     Rudy was on deck, swinging his bat, when Bus Mercer flied out.
    Rudy walked to the plate, heart pounding. He tried to forget how he had tripped in front of the crowd. But Fuzzy’s mocking
     remark was still ringing in his ears. More than anything, he wanted to get a hit.
    “C’mon, Rudy! C’mon, kid! Wallop that ball!”
    The cries from the Mudders’ bench boostedhim a little. Then Alec put two strikes by him, and he fanned at the third. Rudy walked back to the bench, dragging his feet
     in the dirt.
    Zero belted out a single, advancing Alfie to second. But neither boy made it home because Barry McGee flied out.
    Fortunately, the Bunkers didn’t add any more runs during their next raps. But neither did the Mudders. The bottom of the third
     inning started with the score still 4-1.
    Rudy crouched down behind the plate and waited for Zero’s pitch. He was perspiring hard underneath all his catcher’s equipment.
     The upper pad of the catcher’s mask rubbed painfully on his sweaty forehead. He glanced over at the water jug and thought
     of how great it would feel to duck his head under a stream of cold water.
    A movement on the mound snapped his attention back to the game. Zero’s pitch was rocketing at him! The Bunker batter swung
     hard and missed. Rudy moved to make thecatch. Too late! He chased the ball as it rebounded off the backstop.
    Catcalls and laughter came from the Bunkers’ bench.
    “Caught napping, Calhoun?” Rudy heard Fuzzy McCormick’s voice loud and clear.
    Rudy scowled.
I just want this game to be over!
he thought.
    Luckily the Bunkers went down quickly.
    Coach Parker gave his team a quick pep talk that must have worked. The first two batters, Nicky and Alfie, got on base. As
     Bus strode to the plate, Rudy stood up to move to the on-deck circle.
    “Rudy,” Coach Parker called, “I’m subbing Chess in for you. Your mind just doesn’t seem to be on the game today.”
    Rudy returned to his place on the bench.
I blew it again. It’s all because of that stupid catcher’s mask!
he thought with despair.
I’d be a much better player if it wasn’t for that lousy piece of equipment.

3

    The game ended with the Mudders losing to the Bunkers 4-1. As usual, Rudy was one of the last ones to leave the bench area.
     He had to help Chess pack up the catcher’s equipment and carry it to the coach’s car. After it was loaded in, Rudy gave the
     bag a punch.
    “Stupid stuff,” he muttered under his breath. Chess gave him a funny look but didn’t say anything. Moments later, Rudy was
     on his bike, pedaling for home.
    When he rounded the corner of his street, he had to brake quickly to keep from smashing into a parked car. In fact, there
     were a lot ofparked cars lining both sides of the road.
    What’s going on?
Rudy wondered. He swung off his bike and walked with it down the street. He stopped in front of the Turn-balls’ house and
     stared.
    The lawn was