I’ll play the best I can. I’ll hustle after every ball. If I make an error I won’t feel as if the world has dropped on my head. Even major leaguers miss them sometimes. I’ll try not to worry, or get disgusted again. Those are the things I must remember. And if I must sit on the bench, so what? There’s another day coming, and another game.
Tommy fanned the next batter, and the third batter popped out.
“Let’s pick up some runs,” urged Coach Bartlett as the Falcons came to bat.
But the innings slipped by, and they didn’t get a man on base. That little right-hander on the mound for the Jaguars was pitching a great game. Frankie, Duffy, Stan, and a couple of others had gone down swinging at his fast ball.
“What’s he got? Nothing!” grumbled Duffy. Yet the little pitcher had the Falcons eating out of his hand.
And then, in the fifth, with none on, the Jaguars’ clean-up hitter broke the nothing-nothing tie. He poled one over the left-field fence for a home run.
15
The long hit inspired the Jaguars. The next man singled. Then, even though Jim and George played in on the grass, a bunt got by Jim, and men were safe on first and second.
The Falcons’ infield began to chatter seriously. Coach Bartlett had put substitutes in several positions, but still kept in Gary and Stan.
Then — a hard-hit ball down to short! Gary fielded it, pegged it to Stan!
A wild throw! It sailed past Stan, and the runners moved! Fuzzy Collins, now playing first, chased after the ball. The runners reached their bases and held up.
Bases loaded and no outs!
The infielders moved in. The Jaguars had one run, but a hit now could mean one or two more. Possibly three. It would be a shame to let the Jaguars plaster them with a shutout like that.
Tommy Hart worked hard on the batter and struck him out. Then a ground ball was hit to second, only a few feet from the bag. Stan raced for it and caught it in his gloved hand. He could touch the bag and throw to first. Or he could touch the runner coming from first and then throw it. But he might lose some precious time. He didn’t dare risk it.
He tossed the ball easily and accurately to Gary. Gary stepped on the edge of the bag, then pegged the ball to first.
A double play!
Three outs, and the Falcons trotted in, glad that that hectic inning was over.
Coach Bartlett motioned to Gary. Stan, sitting within earshot of them, heard the coach say:
“Gary, you had better change your attitude out there or I’ll have to bench you the next game, our last of the season. I’ve warned you once before. I won’t again. Knock that chip off your shoulder and play ball as you should. Don’t think for one minute I haven’t noticed how you’ve been acting toward Stan. I thought I was doing you a favor by putting you at short. Shortstop’s about the toughest position on the diamond. You can field grounders well, and throw well. You could have thrown that ball to Stan for a double play easily, but you deliberately threw it hard and wild. You didn’t make him look bad. You made yourself look bad.”
Gary’s face turned red, and he looked toward the end of the dugout. Jeb was sitting there, gazing out upon the field.
“Don’t look at Jeb for sympathy,” said the coach. “It’s time you thought things out for yourself. Okay. That’s all. But remember what I said. Get on deck. You’re second batter.”
Stan couldn’t believe his ears. He realized he was staring and his mouth was open. He caught Larry looking at him, and blushed. Larry winked.
The Falcons failed to score at all, and the game went to the Jaguars, 1 to 0. It was still a shutout, but a very good game.
The Falcons closed the season on Friday against the Comets, who carried home the victory 8 to 2. Gary played. He and Stan worked a double play, and afterwards he flashed a grin to Stan to prove that the chip on his shoulder was gone forever.
The next day the Courier-Star printed the League standings.
Jaguars 11 4 —
Clippers 10 5 1
Falcons 8 7 3
Comets 7 8 4
Red Devils 6 9 5
Steelers 3 12 8
“Well, we didn’t do so bad. Did we, Dad?” said Stan.
Dad smiled. “Not at all. By the way, you received a letter in the mail.”
He was holding it in his hand. Stan shivered as he saw the familiar printing on the envelope.
“Another one?” he cried.
He opened it with eager, trembling fingers. Then he pulled out the letter and read it.
CONGRATULATIONS! WE THINK YOU’VE LICKED IT. AND SO HAS PHIL. YOUR EVER-LOVING FANS, DOTTIE AND JEB.
Stan’s eyes widened. “Dottie and Jeb?” he shouted.
Dad laughed. “That’s right. They’ve been the writers of those mysterious letters.”
Stan was flabbergasted. Then he chuckled. “Got any old newspapers, Dad?” he asked. “I’m going to answer that letter!”
The #1 Sports Series for Kids
MATT CHRISTOPHER®
Read them all!
Baseball Flyhawk Dirt Bike Runaway
Baseball Pals Dive Right In
Baseball Turnaround Double Play at Short
The Basket Counts Face-Off
Body Check Fairway Phenom
Catch That Pass! Football Fugitive
Catching Waves The Fox Steals Home
Center Court Sting Goalkeeper in Charge
Centerfield Ballhawk The Great Quarterback Switch
Challenge at Second Base Halfback Attack *
The Comeback Challenge The Hockey Machine
Comeback of the Home Run Kid Ice Magic
Cool as Ice Johnny Long Legs
The Diamond Champs The Kid Who Only Hit Homers
Dirt Bike Racer Lacrosse Face-Off
Line Drive to Short ** Snowboard Champ
Long-Arm Quarterback Snowboard Maverick
Long Shot for Paul Snowboard Showdown
Look Who’s Playing First Base Soccer Duel
Miracle at the Plate Soccer Halfback
Mountain Bike Mania Soccer Scoop
Nothin’ But Net Stealing Home
Penalty Shot The Submarine Pitch
The Reluctant Pitcher The Team That Couldn’t Lose
Return of the Home Run Kid Tennis Ace
Run For It Tight End
Shoot for the Hoop Top Wing
Shortstop from Tokyo Touchdown for Tommy
Skateboard Renegade Tough to Tackle
Skateboard Tough Wingman on Ice
All available in paperback from Little, Brown and Company
Matt Christopher®
Sports Bio Bookshelf
Muhammad Ali Randy Johnson
Lance Armstrong Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant Yao Ming
Jennifer Capriati Shaquille O’Neal
Dale Earnhardt Sr. Jackie Robinson
Jeff Gordon Alex Rodriguez
Ken Griffey Jr. Babe Ruth
Mia Hamm Curt Schilling
Tony Hawk Sammy Sosa
Ichiro Tiger Woods
Derek Jeter
CHALLENGE AT SECOND BASE
Stan Martin’s chances of playing second base seem next to zero at the start of the season. His rival for the position, Gary Newman, looks tough to beat. Stan loves baseball—maybe even more than his brother, Phil, who played pro ball until quitting suddenly the year before—but after experiencing a few setbacks, Stan is tempted to quit too.Then Stan receives a mysterious note telling him to stick it out—and soon Stan finds himself face-to-face with the challenge at second base.
Matt Christopher is the name young readers turn to when they’re looking for fast-paced, action-packed sports novels. For a listing of all the Matt Christopher titles, please see the last pages of this book.
* Previously published as Crackerjack Halfback
** Pre
viously published as Pressure Play