Stranger in Right Field by Matt Christopher, Bert Dodson

1

    “Okay!” Coach Parker’s voice snapped. “Let’s have some quiet!”
    The commanding voice struck like a thunderbolt. Silence fell in the Peach Street Mudders’ dugout.
    “There’s someone here I’d like you to meet. Boys, this is Roberti Frantelli.”
    “Hi!” all fourteen Mudders called out.
    The tall, dark-haired boy smiled.
    “Thank you. I am happy to be here.” He spoke with a strong accent.
    Italian? Mexican? Greek?
Alfie Maples wondered. He was curious about differentcountries and cultures. Alfie also wondered why Roberti was dressed in a Peach Street Mudders uniform, as if he were going
     to play in the game against the Stockade Bulls. He waited eagerly for Coach Parker to explain more about the stranger.
    But the coach just said, “Roberti is going to warm up with you outfielders. So let’s get out there and show him how the game
     is played!”
    An outfielder? I hope it’s not right field!
Alfie thought. Ever since he’d joined the team, Alfie had been the starting right fielder. But he knew he wasn’t the best
     player on the team. He sometimes missed easy catches, and he didn’t do too well at the plate, either. Still, he hustled during
     practices and always tried to learn from his mistakes.
    Alfie adjusted his glasses and jogged out onto the field. As he passed the bleachers, he spotted a strange-looking man. Unlike
     most of the fans who were dressed in shorts,T-shirts, and sunglasses, this man wore a business suit. When the rest of the fans rose to their feet to cheer for the Mudders,
     he stayed seated.
    Even without his glasses, Alfie would have picked the man out of the crowd. The man raised a hand and waved at someone on
     the field. Alfie turned in time to see Roberti wave back.
    “Hey, Alfie, look alive!”
    The shout from José Mendez made Alfie snap back to attention. He waved his glove in the air to signal he was ready to catch.
    “Roberti, back up so we can throw to you, too,” José called. “We’ll go around from me to you to Alfie to Barry. Then we’ll
     mix it up. Okay, guys?”
    The ball started around slowly. At first, all the boys, including Roberti, made clean catches. Then, at a signal from José,
     the exercise became more difficult. The ball was thrown high or at the ground on purpose,forcing the catcher to jump or run in low to retrieve it. Since they weren’t throwing in a circle any more, each player had
     to be ready to catch at all times.
     

     
    Alfie watched Roberti carefully. To his surprise, the newcomer couldn’t seem to get his glove on the ball. By the time Coach
     Parker called them in for the start of the game, Roberti Frantelli was red-faced from having chased the ball over and over—and
     the other outfielders were giving him puzzled glances.
    Why did the coach let
him
on the team?
the looks seemed to ask.
    Alfie felt a little sorry for Roberti. But he also felt relieved. After all, he’d worked hard to earn his position as starting
     right fielder. Seeing Roberti play made him feel he would be able to keep that position, no problem.

2

    The game against the Stockade Bulls started a few minutes later.
    “We’re up first,” Coach Parker told the Mudders. “Regular batting order and starting positions as usual, fellas. And I want
     to hear some chatter from this dugout!”
    As the boys gave a cheer, Coach Parker called Alfie and Roberti over to him. He said, “Alfie, as a favor to me, I’d like you
     to keep an eye on Roberti. Make sure he understands everything that’s going on out there. Kind of coach him through the game.
     Okay?”
    Alfie was surprised. It was clear that Roberti could barely catch a ball in a simple practice drill. But now the coach seemed
     to be saying that Roberti didn’t even understand about baseball! If the coach thought that, why had he put Roberti on the
     team in the first place?
    Alfie didn’t get it, but he nodded to let the coach know he’d help out. At least he might have a chance to ask Roberti a