Jake Maddox - Pitcher Pressure

Jake Maddox Books are published by Stone Arch Books
A Capstone Imprint
1710 Roe Crest Drive
North Mankato, Minnesota 56003
www.capstonepub.com

Copyright 2010 by Stone Arch Books

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Maddox, Jake.
Pitcher pressure / by Jake Maddox; text by Chris Kreie;
illustrated by Sean Tiffany.
p. cm. (Impact books. A Jake Maddox sports story)
ISBN 978-1-4342-1596-3 (library binding)
ISBN 978-1-4342-8881-3 (ebook)
[1. BaseballFiction.] I. Kreie, Chris. II. Tiffany, Sean, ill.
III. Title.
PZ7.M25643Pre 2010
[Fic]dc22
2009004098

Summary:
Allens grandpa has never missed a baseball game until tonight. While Allen plays his most important game ever, Grandpa fights for his life at the hospital. Allen wants to win the game for his grandpa, but hes facing his biggest challenge, Hank The Tank Steele.

Creative Director: Heather Kindseth
Graphic Designer: Carla Zetina-Yglesias

CHAPTER 1

Allen dug his shoes into the dirt on the pitchers mound. He held a baseball behind his back. He rolled the ball around in his fingers and looked at the catcher.

It was the bottom of the second inning of the championship game, and Allen was pitching. The other team, the Tigers, had two outs.

Hank The Tank Steele was up to bat. He was on the Tigers.

Everyone called Hank The Tank because he was six feet tall and weighed almost 200 pounds. He was the biggest guy in the league. He was also the best player. He was a great hitter.

Allen had already given up a double to The Tank in the first inning. That double had scored two runs for the Tigers. Now Allens team, the Twins, was losing 30.

Allen went into his windup. He kicked his left leg into the air. He reached back with his right hand. Then his entire body shot forward and he let the pitch fly.

The ball sailed into the batters box and was met by The Tanks bat. Allen turned and watched as the baseball flew high through the air. It flew over the left-field fence for a home run.

The Tank smiled. Then he began his slow jog around the bases. The Tigers fans cheered.

Allen sighed as he looked around the stadium. The sky was pale blue. The sun was hanging low over the fence behind first base. The bleachers were packed with fans who had come to see the Twins and the Tigers battle for the city championship.

It all made Allen think about his Grandpa Jim. It was just the kind of summer evening his grandpa loved.

But that night, as Allen looked into the crowd, he didnt bother looking for his grandpa. Grandpa Jim was not there.

Earlier that day, Grandpa Jim had said his chest hurt. Allens dad had taken him to the hospital.

Allen wanted to go too, but Grandpa Jim had insisted that it was nothing to worry about. He wasnt going to let Allen miss the championship game. So Allen went to his game while the rest of his family went to the hospital.

The Tank crossed home plate, making the score 40. Allen wondered if he had made the right decision after all. He couldnt concentrate on baseball. All he could think about was Grandpa Jim.

CHAPTER 2

Allen got the next batter to hit a fly ball to center field. Another player caught it. That was the final out of the second inning.

As he and the Twins ran into the dugout, Allen knew he looked upset. He had given up four runs in just two innings. He wasnt playing like he usually did.

Shake it off, said his friend Patrick. The two of them took a seat on the dugout bench.

Dont worry. Well come back, Patrick added. He slapped Allen on the knee and smiled.

Allen tried to smile back, but he knew his smile didnt look real. Patrick looked concerned.

How are you doing? asked Patrick. Are you going to be okay?

Ill be fine, said Allen.

Patrick knew about Allens grandpa. The whole team knew that Grandpa Jim was in the hospital. Allen had told them about it during warm-ups before the game.

Grandpa Jim was the Twins biggest fan. Everyone on the team loved him. He was in the stands for every game. He was a friend to all the players. It was weird to play without him watching.

Coach Akers walked over to Allen. Hows it going, Allen? he asked. Youre a little shaky today. Do you want to stay out there?

Yeah, Coach, said Allen. I want to keep pitching. I think I can do it.

You think you can do it? said a voice from the other end of the dugout. It was Thomas, another one of Allens teammates. Thomas stood up and walked over toward Allen.

You think you can do it? Thomas said again. Thats not good enough. You have to know you can do it. This is for the championship.

Allen knew that Thomas was extremely competitive. At one time, he and Allen had been good friends.

That all changed when Allen got the top pitching spot. That had made Thomas mad, and hed never gotten over it.

I can pitch, Coach, said Thomas. I can shut the Tigers down. Allen cant. Hes got his grandpa on his mind.

Really nice, Thomas, said Patrick, shaking his head.

I make the decisions around here, Coach Akers said. If Allen says he can pitch, thats all I need to hear.

Thomas stared at Allen and said, Then you better start pitching like you deserve to be out there. Grandpa Jim wouldnt want the Twins to lose because of you.

Patrick jumped up. He pushed himself between Thomas and Allen. Back off, said Patrick. Dont say another word.

Take it easy, guys, said Coach Akers.

Its okay, said Allen. He stood up. Its okay. Thomas is right.

What? said Patrick. He looked at Allen and frowned.

Hes right, said Allen. Grandpa wouldnt want me to lose the game. He wouldnt like it if I lost the championship because I was worrying about him. Thomas is right. If I cant concentrate on the game, I shouldnt be out there.

Im glad you can admit that, said Thomas. He turned to Coach Akers and asked, So, do you want me to pitch?

No, said Allen. I didnt say that. I can concentrate. We will win. Im staying in the game. I can do it.

Great, said Coach Akers, walking away.

Then you better start pitching, said Thomas. He walked back to his spot at the other end of the dugout. You better shut em down.

Allen and Patrick sat back down. Dont listen to him, said Patrick.

But hes right, said Allen. Its time for me to forget about my grandpa and just go out and pitch. The team deserves it.

All right then, said Patrick. He grinned at Allen. Lets do it.

Allen smiled back. Lets do it, he said.

CHAPTER 3

Allen stood on the pitchers mound to start the third inning. The score was still 40. The Twins still hadnt scored a run. It was more important than ever for Allen to get back on track and shut down the Tigers.

Allen kicked at the dirt. Then he went into his windup. He gunned the pitch toward home. It was a perfect pitch, right on the outside corner of the plate. The batter couldnt get it. He watched it sail by.