Man Out at First Read online

  His mind racing, Turtleneck waited for the next pitch. Crack! This time he swung hard and sent the ball soaring into left field. He felt great as he rounded first and headed for second.

  Then his good mood vanished as quickly as it had come. He'd messed up again.

  6

  Coach had told him to hit easy grounders to the infield. Turtleneck looked to where he'd hit the ball. It lay way out in left field. No one was there to catch it. The outfielders were still doing laps.

  Bus had to leave his position at shortstop to retrieve the ball.

  “Nice hit, T,” Bus said dryly. “Next time try hitting it to the infield.” He threw the ball back to Sparrow.

  Turtleneck felt awful. Even when I try not to, I mess up, he thought. He kicked at the dirt around second base.

  Zero Ford, the substitute pitcher, was next at bat. He bunted. Sparrow Fisher charged in and scooped the ball up. He whipped it to Jack Livingston, but his throw was wild. Jack couldn't get a glove on it. Zero was safe at first.

  Coach Parker called the outfield in to take their turns at bat. Barry McGee came to the plate.

  “It'll be hard for me to keep the ball in the infield, but I'll see what I can do,” he joked. Then he hit a hot grounder between second and third.

  Turtleneck took off for third. T.V. rushed to cover the base. Bus Mercer ran to get in front of the ball before it rolled into the outfield.

  T.V. stretched out his glove, his toe squarely on the bag. Turtleneck knew he'd have to put on a burst of speed to beat the ball. He heard Coach yelling for him to slide.

  Turtleneck suddenly panicked. I'll run smack into T.V. if I slide! he thought wildly. But maybe Bus's throw will hit me if I don't!

  Turtleneck froze. Thud! The ball landed solidly in T.V.'s outstretched mitt. Turtleneck was out.

  “What's the matter with you, T?” Bus asked. “Why didn't you slide?”

  “Maybe he only remembers how to fall down, like he did yesterday!” T.V. said.

  Coach Parker just shook his head and told Turtleneck to take Jack Livingston's place at first.

  But things seemed to go from bad to worse. Every time a teammate tried to make a play at first, Turtleneck shied away from the ball. He spent more time chasing it after it flew past him than he did making outs.

  By the time Jack took over at first again, Turtleneck was a wreck.

  He wasn't much better at bat. Whenever a pitch looked a little wild, Turtleneck jumped out of the batter's box.

  Finally, the practice was over. Coach Parker called the team together.

  “We're playing the High Street Bunkers tomorrow. I expect to see all of you here bright and early. Here's the lineup. Outfield from left to right: Barry, José, and Alfie. Infield: T.V. at third, Bus at short, Nick at second, and Jack at first. Sparrow, you'll pitch, and Rudy will catch.”

  Turtleneck's heart sank. Just what he was afraid of—Coach was replacing him at first base.

  7

  Turtleneck was silent as he walked home with Rudy and Nick. He mumbled “See ya” to them when they reached their houses. Then he continued on alone to his house.

  He was walking up to his front door when he heard Mr. Shaw call to him.

  “That you, Theodore? Ready to take a stab at the old porch steps?”

  Turtleneck was about to answer but then closed his mouth. He suddenly felt like shutting out the whole world.

  Besides, he thought dully, I don't know anything about carpentry. I'd just get in the way. Or else I'd mess the whole thing up. Then Mr. Shaw could hurt himself again and it would be all my fault.

  Mr. Shaw called again. “T? Are you there, son?” He sounded a little uncertain this time.

  He doesn't know for sure that it's me, Turtleneck reminded himself, and I don't have to tell him.

  As quietly as he could, Turtleneck opened the door to his house and slipped inside.

  Turtleneck went to his room and lay on his bed. He picked up a comic book and started leafing through it. He heard the phone ring and his mother answer it.

  “I think he's in his room, Mr. Shaw,” his mother said. “Hold on and I'll check.”

  His mother opened his door. Turtleneck closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

  “He must be worn out. He's fast asleep,” his mother said into the phone. “It's not like Turtleneck to forget a promise. I'll send him over when he wakes up.” She hung up.

  A moment later, Turtleneck heard the sound of hammering coming from next door. It went on for a bit, then all of a sudden it stopped. Turtleneck got up quietly and peeked through the window.

  Mr. Shaw seemed to be feeling around on the porch for something. “Doggone it!” Turtleneck heard him say. “Where did I put that tape measure?”

  From where he was standing, Turtleneck could see the tape measure. It had fallen into the grass beside the porch.

  Turtleneck felt awful. He had promised to help Mr. Shaw but had chickened out just because he was afraid of messing up!

  I'm letting everybody down, he thought. No wonder Coach Parker put Jack in my place. He knows I'm just a big 'fraidy cat.

  He lay back down on his bed again.

  Turtleneck didn't realize he'd fallen asleep for real until he felt his mother shaking him awake.

  “Mr. Shaw is here to see you, T.”

  Turtleneck sat up. Mr. Shaw came in and sat on the edge of his bed.

  “Your mom told me about your injury yesterday, Theodore. It must still hurt a lot,” he said.

  Turtleneck didn't know what to say. “It—it's not so bad anymore, Mr. Shaw,” he finally mumbled.

  Mr. Shaw was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “Did you hear me calling you earlier today, Theodore?”

  Turtleneck hung his head. “Yes,” he whispered. There was no use in lying to Mr. Shaw. Even though he was blind, he seemed to see everything.

  “Do you mind telling me why you didn't answer? And why you decided not to come over and help me?”

  “I was afraid I'd mess things up!” Turtleneck burst out. Then he told him all about the horrible practice he'd had that day.

  To his surprise, Mr. Shaw started laughing.

  “When I heard you'd been hit, I figured it was something like that. I know exactly how you're feeling, Theodore. Things that once seemed easy now seem impossible—and anything new is too scary to try, right?”

  “Right!” said Turtleneck, amazed. “How did you know?”

  “I've had those same fears myself. And I can tell you that the only cure is to face them head on.”

  “I don't know…” said Turtleneck. “What if I get hit again?”

  “Hey, if I had that kind of attitude, I'd be locked up in some nursing home. You've got to keep trying. The longer you put it off, the worse it'll get.”

  Turtleneck thought for a moment. Then he grinned. “You mean like that rotten old porch step ?”

  Mr. Shaw laughed again and rubbed his sore leg. “Exactly! Now what do you say we go and tackle that problem head on together ?”

  8

  For the rest of the afternoon, Turtleneck helped Mr. Shaw rebuild his steps. He hammered a few nails in crooked by mistake, but most of them went in fine.

  That night Turtleneck slept soundly. He woke up refreshed and ready for the game against the High Street Bunkers. He went to the kitchen and poured himself a big bowl of cereal. He flipped through his comic book as he ate.

  Then he remembered that Jack Livingston was starting at first. And he remembered how lousy he'd played at practice.

  Suddenly he wasn't so sure he wanted to go to the game after all.

  He pushed his half-eaten bowl of cereal aside, grabbed his comic book, and went to sit on the front porch.

  Superheroes flew and ran across the pages in front of him. They didn't look like they ever messed up or were afraid of anything.

  Turtleneck heard a sound and looked up. Nick Chong and Rudy Calhoun were walking toward him. They were wearing their uniforms and carrying their gloves.

  “Aren't you ready for the game, T?” Nick asked.

  Turtleneck was silent for a moment. “Listen, guys, I'm—I'm not feeling very good. Could you tell Coach Parker I won't be able to make it today?”

  Nick and Rudy stared at each other in amazement.

  “But we're playing the High Street Bunkers today and we need you!” Rudy cried.

  “Jack starts today. I'd just be sitting on the bench anyway,” Turtleneck reminded him.

  “Never mind,” Nick cut in disgustedly. “Maybe Jack will come through. C'mon, we don't want to be late. Coach Parker might bench us, too.”

  He grabbed Rudy's arm and tugged him down the steps. The two boys walked away without a backward glance.

  Turtleneck closed his comic book and watched his friends pass by Mr. Shaw's house.

  I wonder if those guys even care if I play or not, he thought.

  A flash of light from next door caught his eye. The sun was reflecting off one of the new nails he'd hammered into Mr. Shaw's steps.

  Turtleneck looked at it for a moment. And suddenly he realized that he cared whether he played or not.

  He jumped up and ran into the house. He quickly changed into his uniform, grabbed his glove, and headed out the door.

  9

  Turtleneck rattled down the steps and started off toward the baseball diamond. Then he stopped.

  He ran up Mr. Shaw's steps and knocked at the door.

  “Who is it?” a voice called from inside.

  “It's me, Turtleneck, uh, Theodore,” Turtleneck replied. He poked his head around the door and peered inside. Mr. Shaw was sitting in his easy chair, listening to music. “Would—would you come to my baseball game with me?”

  Mr. Shaw grinned and snapped off the radio. “Best of
fer I've had all day!” he said.

  By the time they made it to the baseball diamond, the game had already begun. Turtleneck helped Mr. Shaw find a seat, then ran over to the dugout.

  Coach Parker looked surprised to see him.

  “Rudy and Nick told me you weren't feeling well, T,” he said. He raised an eyebrow. “Looks like you recovered. Grab some pine.”

  Turtleneck hesitated for a moment. The only open spot on the bench was next to Nick.

  I wonder if he's still sore at me, Turtleneck thought.

  As if he could read his thoughts, Nick looked up at Turtleneck and grinned. “I think I can squeeze you in over here,” he joked as he pointed to the space beside him. “Glad you could make it, T.”

  Turtleneck sat down with a laugh and replied, “Well, someone has to get the chatter started.” He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, “C'mon, Mudders!” The rest of the team echoed his cry with encouraging yells of their own.

  The High Street Bunkers hadn't scored any runs in their turn at bat, so the score was still 0–0. T.V. Adams was up first for the Mudders in the bottom of the first inning. He faced Alec Frost, the Bunkers' pitcher. Alec had a fastball that could whiz by a batter in the wink of an eye.

  But T.V.'s eyes never left the ball on the first pitch. He sent the ball flying far into the outfield for a solid single.

  Nick Chong was the next batter. He took a couple of practice swings, then stepped into the batter's box. Alec's fastball sizzled toward him.

  “Strike!” the umpire yelled.

  “C'mon, Nick, you can do it!” Turtleneck cried.

  Nick adjusted his batting helmet and got ready for the next pitch. Crack! He belted a hot grounder that advanced T.V. to second. Nick made it to first safely.

  Alfie Maples, the quiet right fielder, took two balls, then popped out. Bus Mercer was up next. He looked ready for anything Alec Frost had up his sleeve.

  Alec reared back and threw. A wild pitch! Bus barely had time to jump out of the way. After three more pitches, Bus walked.

  Bases loaded and only one out. Rudy Calhoun stepped into the batter's box.

  Three swings later he stepped out again. Two outs.

  Rudy walked back to the dugout. 'Turtleneck punched him lightly in the shoulder.

  “Shake it off, man,” he said. “You'll get another chance to hit.” But I wonder if I'll get a chance to hit this game, he added silently.

  Rudy smiled weakly and turned to watch Sparrow Fisher bat.

  Sparrow took his time waiting for the right pitch. He took a ball and two strikes before he swung at the fourth pitch.

  Crack! He hit a line drive between second and third. The ball just missed the shortstop's glove. T.V. made it home.

  Mudders 1, Bunkers 0. Two out, bases loaded—and Barry McGee, the Mudders' strongest hitter, was at the plate.

  Barry let the first pitch go by for a called strike. Then he swung with all his might at the second pitch. Bat connected with ball and sent it soaring over the outfielders' heads. A home run!

  The Mudders' fans cheered loudly. Turtleneck could hear Mr. Shaw yelling with the others.

  José Mendez struck out to end the inning. Mudders 5, Bunkers 0.

  The second, third, and fourth innings went scoreless for both teams. The Mudders were getting ready to take the field when Coach Parker called Turtleneck and Jack Livingston over.

  “Jack, you've played a good game,” he said. “Now I'm going to give Turtleneck a chance. Don't let me down, T.”

  Turtleneck took a deep breath and replied, “I won't, Coach.” To himself he added, I hope.

  10

  Turtleneck headed to first base. As he passed by the stands he saw that Mr. Shaw was smiling. I wonder if he knows I'm on the field, Turtleneck thought.

  Then Mr. Shaw yelled, “C'mon, Theodore—Turtleneck! Show 'em what you're made of!”

  Turtleneck pounded his fist into his glove. Okay, Mr. Shaw, he thought with determination. I'm going to do my best!

  The infield threw the ball around the bases a few times to warm up. Turtleneck felt a little better each time the ball landed safely in his glove.

  Sparrow Fisher hurled the first pitch. The batter belted a hot grounder straight to Bus and took off for first. Bus scooped up the ball. He turned and threw it hard to Turtleneck.

  Turtleneck stretched out his glove. The ball zoomed toward him. Closer, closer— thud! He caught it in the webbing of his mitt for the first out.

  Cheers rose from the stands. Turtleneck tossed the ball back to Sparrow. He glanced over at Bus. But Bus was already waiting for the next batter.

  Is he still mad at me? Turtleneck wondered. Then he shrugged and got ready, too.

  The second batter went down swinging, but the third slugged the ball into the outfield for a double. Two outs, and a man on second.

  “Okay, team, here we go!” Coach Parker yelled from the dugout. “The throw goes to first for the last out! Let's make it count, now!”

  Turtleneck had butterflies in his stomach. What if he couldn't catch the throw?

  Sparrow threw a fastball. The Bunkers' batter swung hard and sent the ball down the first-base line. Turtleneck reached his glove out to snag it.

  The ball hit a stone and took a crazy bounce. It shot up toward his face! Turtleneck jerked his head to one side just before the ball hit him. It landed in the grass behind him. There was a groan from the crowd as he ran back to retrieve it. The batter was safe at first.

  Turtleneck was shaken. How could he muff such an easy out? Worse yet, what would he have done if the ball had hit him?

  Turtleneck's mind was racing. Then he heard a voice yelling his name.

  “Turtleneck! Don't let it bother you! Shake it off, man!”

  The voice belonged to Bus Mercer. Amazed, Turtleneck turned to look at him.

  Bus was watching, concerned. When he saw Turtleneck look over, he gave him the “thumbs up” sign. Then he turned his attention back to Sparrow.

  Turtleneck didn't know what to think. Then he took a deep breath. He tried to take Bus's advice and “shake it off.” He bent down and waited for Sparrow to pitch.

  Crack! A line drive straight back at Sparrow! But instead of snagging the ball for the last out, Sparrow ducked. The ball flew over his head, took one hop, then landed smack in Nick Chong's glove.

  Toe on the bag, Turtleneck reached out to catch Nick's throw. It came straight at him—fast.

  Thud! Something hit him in the chest. For a split second Turtleneck thought he'd dropped the ball. Then he heard cheers. He looked down and saw he was cradling it in his glove against his chest.

  Three outs and the Mudders were still up, 5–0.

  The Mudders headed for the dugout. Turtleneck hesitated, then sat down between Bus and Nick in the dugout.

  Bus was quiet for a second. Then he cleared his throat. “T, I feel awful about the other day. It was all my fault. I didn't look to see if you were ready to catch my throw—I just threw it.” He dug his toe in the dirt. “I should have said something sooner. Are you feeling okay now?”

  Before Turtleneck could answer, Sparrow came and sat next to Nick. “Great snag, Nick. You saved the play! I don't know what came over me. I saw that ball coming and I thought for sure it was going to hit me.” He thumped Turtleneck on the back and grinned. “And we all know what happens when you get hit by a ball!”

  Bus shot a sideways glance at Turtleneck.

  Turtleneck was silent for a moment. Then, with a muffled laugh, he pretended to faint. He collapsed at Nick's feet and lay still.

  Everyone started laughing. Coach Parker rushed over to see what was wrong. Turtleneck scrambled to his feet.

  “Well, T, you certainly seem to be back into the swing of things. Now let's see if the swing is back in you!” He handed him a bat.

  “Yes, sir!” said Turtleneck.

  He trotted to the on-deck circle and took a few practice swings. He was just about to step into the batter's box when he heard a yell from behind him.