Curveball Read Free Page B

Hornets.
    â€œIt’s a whole new season now,” Coach Wimmer told his players after the game.
    With their record even at four wins and four losses, the Hornets are steadily moving up in the standings. “We’re as good as any team in the league,” said Coach, who thinks he may be headed for the Hall of Fame soon. “Now we just have to prove it.”
    The Hornets will have a chance to do just that when they host league-leading Liberty Junior High School of Jersey City this afternoon.
    Not bad, Eddie thought as he read his work over. This kid might turn out to be a great sportswriter, too. That’s some combination of brains and athletic talent at work right there. He’s certainly worth keeping an eye on.

4
Big Doings
    E ddie walked toward home plate Wednesday afternoon before the game, ready to take some batting practice. He noticed David Choi sitting in the dugout, intently reading the school paper.
    David was reading the back page—the sports section. Eddie stopped for a moment to see David’s reaction.
    â€œWow,” David said with an amused look as he set down the paper. “How much did you pay Calvin to write that one, Ventura?”
    Eddie gave a sly smile and shrugged. “Calvin’s in my math class.” That was true, of course, but it had nothing to do with the situation.
    â€œI throw a two-hit shutout and he writes about you fielding a ground ball!” David said. He shook his head but laughed. “I’ll have to have a little talk with that guy.”
    â€œAh, leave him alone,” Eddie said. “Calvin has to write the entire sports section.”
    â€œOkay, well let’s give him something good to write about again.” David picked up his glove and started walking toward the outfield. It was Miguel’s turn to pitch today.
    Liberty was 7–1 and well ahead of the pack in the league standings. They were a near certainty to make the playoffs. Things weren’t anywhere near as sure for Hudson City, but they were definitely on an upswing.
    So when the Hornets took the field for the first inning, it was with a great deal of enthusiasm and confidence. But they were also feeling pressure.
    Big game for the Hornets, Eddie thought as he jogged toward first base. Over at first, you’ve got Eddie Ventura, who’s been rock-solid in the field all season. This kid’s got poise and skills that can take him a long way. Maybe all the way to the Majors.
    But this is a big test this afternoon. Liberty’s been the class of the league so far. The Hornets have got to be at the top of their game to have any chance at all.
    And it turned out that both teams were at their best, at least defensively. Miguel held Liberty scoreless through the first four innings. But his Liberty counterpart was doing even better—Hudson City had only had one base runner.
    Eddie had struck out on three pitches his first time up, but he had a good feeling as he stepped into the on-deck circle. He’d been studying this pitcher’s pattern.
    The guy was on the short side, but he had long arms that allowed for a sweeping overhand pitching style that was difficult to judge. He had started every batter with a wide, diving curveball that looked as if it would be way outside but broke sharply at the last second. Then, with the batter bracing for another confusing curve, he blazed a fastball right by him.
    It had worked well so far. Nearly every Hudson City batter had either swung wildly at that first pitch or stood still as it veered over the plate for a strike.
    And as Eddie watched, the Liberty pitcher threw that curve to Jared. Maybe Jared was expecting it, too, because he held his ground. And this time the pitch curved too far inside, nipping Jared just below his shoulder.
    Jared dropped his bat and winced, rubbing that spot. But he turned and winked at Eddie, then trotted to first base.
    Finally, an opportunity for the Hornets to break through with a