The Astro Outlaw by David A. Kelly

Author:David A. Kelly [Kelly, David A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Ages 6 and up
ISBN: 9780375899669
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2012-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

“Hot has won again!” boomed the loudspeaker. “I guess we like things fiery here in Houston.”

“Told you so!” Mike said. He waved his index finger in the air like a number one sign. He loved competing against Kate. “I win … again,” he said, although he knew he didn’t win as often as he liked.

Kate grabbed Mike’s finger. “Yeah, but only because your hot sauce pushed mine out of the way,” she said. “Don’t worry, Mike. They’re just hot-sauce packets, so they’ll all be squeezed in the end!”

Mike tried to pull his finger away but couldn’t. He didn’t like to admit it, but when she wanted to be, Kate was pretty strong. “I was just, um, stretching my fingers!” he said.

Kate gave Mike’s finger one last tight squeeze and let go.

“Well, speaking of hot sauce,” Mike said, “how about we get some? Like on a hot dog or some fries?”

“Great idea,” Kate said, jumping up. “We can race to see who’s faster!”

“You don’t want to leave now,” Mr. Hopkins said. “Adam Bixby is batting.”

Mike and Kate settled back in their seats as Bixby strode to the plate. He leaned over, touched home plate with his pinkie, and said a prayer. Then he took two slow practice swings and waited for the pitcher. The tip of the bat made small circles in the air behind his shoulder. It looked like a bee getting ready to sting.

The pitcher wound up and flung a fastball inside. Bixby’s bat sliced down across the plate.

STRIKE ONE!

The catcher threw the ball back, and Bixby returned to his batting stance. The tip of the bat buzzed in circles behind his head. Once more, the pitcher unloaded. He launched a slider toward home plate. But instead of dropping down, the ball hung in the strike zone. Again the bat flashed across the plate. Bixby’s wrists snapped the bat forward. POW!

He connected. The ball zoomed high over second base. Bixby dropped the bat, put his head down, and raced to first. The Rockies’ center fielder sprinted back to the wall. He passed the dirt warning track and sped up a small grassy hill in front of the outfield wall. But the ball dropped just over the fence.

Another home run for Bixby! Now the game was tied!

“What a hit!” Mike exclaimed over the noise of the train whistle and the cheers. “But why is there a hill in center field, Uncle Steve? Is that legal? I’ve never seen a baseball field with hills!”

Kate’s dad smiled. “It’s called Tal’s Hill,” he said when the noise died down. “A lot of old-fashioned ballparks used to have hills or other uneven areas in the outfield. The Astros thought it would be fun to have one here. So they built the hill. They also added a flagpole near the top of the hill. Outfielders have to watch out for that!”

The inning ended with a pop fly. The center fielder caught it for an easy out.

“Ready for that hot dog now, Mike?” Kate asked. “Dad, do you want anything?”

Mr.

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