The Fenway Foul-Up by David A. Kelly

Author:David A. Kelly [Kelly, David A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Ages 6 & Up
ISBN: 9780375898167
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2011-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Big D at Bat

The second inning had just started. The Oakland A’s were batting. They were already ahead by two runs, 2–0.

Loopy Lenfield, one of Boston’s best pitchers, was on the mound. Loopy used his long fingers to throw knuckleball pitches that confused batters with weird dips and bobbles. When they worked, his knuckleballs were very hard to hit.

Mike and Kate slipped back into their seats just as Boston made the second out of the inning.

One row in front of them, the man in the Yankees hat was watching the game along with all the other fans. Now a little boy sat next to him.

Kate elbowed Mike in the ribs. “See? The poster tube is still next to his seat,” she whispered. “Who’s that kid with him?”

“His grandson?” Mike guessed. “But maybe he’s a decoy. Who would arrest a grandfather and his grandson?”

Kate twirled the end of her ponytail around her finger. She looked doubtful. “I don’t know,” she said. “Let’s keep our eyes on that poster tube.”

“Okay, but I want to see the game, too,” Mike agreed. “We can hang here, watch the game, and wait for him to make a move.”

On the field, Boston’s first baseman caught a pop fly for the last out. The Athletics left their dugout and ran onto the field. Boston’s players got ready to hit.

“Now batting for Boston,” boomed the announcer, “Corky Collllllinnnnnns!”

Everyone cheered as Boston’s center fielder, Corky Collins, stepped to the plate. Oakland’s pitcher went into his windup. He let a fastball fly.

Corky swung around on his heels. He stretched his arms and the bat out as far as he could to reach the pitch. He hit it perfectly.

POW!

The ball took off, and so did the Athletics’ right fielder. Just as the ball was about to clear the outfield wall, he jumped up and pulled it out of the air. The white ball stayed cradled at the top of his glove.

The crowd roared. Corky Collins was robbed of a home run!

“Bummer!” said Mike. “But what a cool catch! That’s called a snow cone catch. The ball stays at the top of the glove, like a snow cone. Get it—a cool catch?”

Kate groaned and rolled her eyes.

The crowd cheered again. Boston’s number two hitter was up. One more batter and it would be Big D’s turn.

Three pitches later, the Boston batter headed back to the dugout. He had struck out. Oakland was having a good day. But the Boston fans weren’t worried.

“Big D, Big D, Big D …,” the crowd chanted. A huge cheer went up when Big D came to the plate. It was so loud that Kate and Mike could barely hear the announcer.

Big D wasn’t smiling as he usually did.

He also wasn’t carrying his lucky bat. Instead, he held a dark brown bat. He stood next to the plate to test it.

“Oh no,” said Mike. “Big D took six practice swings. Usually he only takes three. He must not be happy with that bat.”

“Gee, Mike,” Kate said. “How do you know these things?”

Mike shrugged.

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