Extra Innings by Tiki Barber Ronde Barber & Paul Mantell

Author:Tiki Barber, Ronde Barber & Paul Mantell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A Paula Wiseman Book

9

BROTHERS IN THE OUTFIELD

Tiki and Ronde arrived for practice, changed, and were ready to hit the field when Coach Raines called out from the door of his office, “Hey, Tiki, got a minute?”

Tiki and Ronde exchanged puzzled glances. Tiki said, “See you out there,” and turned back toward the office. Coach Raines closed the door behind him and said, “Sit down.”

Uh-oh, thought Tiki. He sure hoped this wasn’t going to be another chewing-out session. He racked his brains to try to think of anything he’d done wrong. Other than a couple shaky throws from second that had almost sailed over the first baseman’s head, he couldn’t come up with anything.

“Nice job pitching the other day,” the coach began. Suddenly Tiki had the weird thought that maybe Coach was going to make him a pitcher. Tiki barely had time to savor this enticing idea when the coach added, “You’ve got a strong arm. I’ve been thinking about it, and I’m not happy with Chris’s arm strength in right. Too many teams are going first to third on us. How would you feel about switching positions for the next game?”

It wasn’t really a question—it was a decision the coach had already made. That much, Tiki was clear on. He’d played on enough teams to know when coaches were really asking your opinion and when they were just trying to seem democratic.

“Whatever’s good for the team, Coach,” Tiki said, giving the correct answer to all such questions from coaches.

“Attaboy. Be sure you get some outfield practice before the next game. I’m excited to see how many long flies you and your brother can run down between you. And with that arm of yours, we’re going to get some outfield assists from you, too, I’m sure.” He offered Tiki his hand to shake, then said, “See you out there.”

That was Tiki’s cue to go. Back on the field, he met Ronde’s inquisitive look. “He switched me to right field,” he told his twin.

“What?”

“Yeah,” Tiki said with a sigh. “He said it was because of Chris Jones’s weak arm. But I kind of think it’s because I was throwing wild at second.”

“Well, it’s not all bad,” Ronde offered. “Just think—it’ll be the two of us out there, side by side. The Barber brothers. That’s a first for us in any sport!”

Tiki had to admit, it was an appealing idea when you looked at it that way. He decided to set aside his feeling that it was a punishment and go with whatever was best for the team. It wasn’t just a mantra with him and Ronde. It was what they really believed, when push came to shove. Being all about the team had carried them to two straight state championships in football, and neither Tiki nor Ronde was going to change their approach now, so close to the end of their time at Hidden Valley.

• • •

The next afternoon the Eagles traveled to William Byrd Junior High to play the Badgers, a team that had been talked about before the season as a real powerhouse but that had started out 0–4.

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