Stranger in Right Field by Matt Christopher, Bert Dodson Page B

didn’t look as
     though he’d been playing for very long?
    But Roberti’s face was curious, not mean.
    “I’ve been playing for two years,” Alfie replied. “How about you?”
    Roberti gave a small smile. “I have never played before.”
    Alfie blinked. More than ever, he wanted to ask how Roberti had gotten onto the Mudders’ team. But he was afraid his question
     might offend the newcomer. After, all, Alfie himself had never played before he’d joined the Mudders.
    But I had to practice a lot with the guys before I played in my first game
, he remembered.
I wasn’t just handed a uniform
.
    They sat silently for a few minutes. Alfie fished around for something to say. “Uh, is that your dad in the stands?” he finally
     said. “You know, that guy in the suit?”
    Roberti laughed. “Oh, no, that is not my father. That man just takes care of me. He is—”
    “Alfie!” Coach Parker interrupted. “Inning’s over! Grab your glove and get out there!”
    The Mudders had been put down in order: first Bus, then Rudy Calhoun, and last of allSparrow had walked up to the plate only to walk back again without a hit. The score remained 2–0.
    Chet Barker led off for the Bulls. He popped up a sky-reaching fly above home plate.
    “Take it, Rudy!” T.V. shouted from third base.
    Rudy did.
    Then Trent Farrell hit one out to right field. Alfie should have caught it easily. But at the last moment, he lost sight of
     the ball! It bounced a few feet behind him. He scrambled to pick it up, then heaved it toward second. Luckily, his throw was
     right on the money. Trent held at first.
    Some good example you’re showing Roberti
, Alfie thought furiously.
You’re catching about as good as he was during practice
.
    The inning ended a few minutes later with the Bulls held scoreless. Alfie took a seat on the bench. Roberti excused himself
     to get adrink of water.
     

     
    A moment later, Alfie felt someone tap him on the shoulder. It was Bus.
    “So, what do you think of the new guy?” Bus whispered.
    Alfie shrugged. “Okay, I guess. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him much.”
    Bus nodded. “Kind of funny, though, isn’t it? How he just showed up out of nowhere wearing a uniform?”
    “It’s a little weird,” Alfie agreed. “Especially since he told me he’s never played baseball before. Did you know the coach
     asked me to help him out?”
    Bus laughed. “
You
? Things are getting even weirder! Unless…” Bus’s voice trailed off.
    “Unless what?” Alfie prodded.
    “Unless the coach is training Roberti to play in right field. I mean, why else would he have
you
show him anything?”
    Alfie stared at the dirt between his shoes. Bus’s words stung, but not because of whathe said about the coach replacing him with Roberti. No, what hurt was that Bus didn’t think anyone could possibly learn anything
     about baseball from Alfie Maples!

4

    “I brought you some water, Alfie.” Roberti handed Alfie a paper cup, then sat down beside him.
    “Uh, thanks,” Alfie said. Bus raised his eyebrows, but didn’t say a word. They sat in silence, watching the game.
    Barry had made it to first, held up there while Turtleneck struck out, then reached second on a single by José. T.V. Adams
     was at the plate. Nicky grabbed a bat and hurried to the on-deck circle.
    A moment later, T.V. sent a smasher to right field. Barry made it home, José held upat third, and T.V. stood beaming at second. The score now read Mudders 3, Bulls 0.
    Alfie took Nicky’s place in the circle. From there he watched Nicky pop out to first.
    “Hit the ball, Alfie!” Alfie could hear Roberti’s voice loud and clear. “That’s right, Alfie, keep it rolling!” Coach Parker
     called.
    Alfie didn’t hit a home run, but he did connect with the ball for a blooping infield single. He beat the throw to first by
     a millisecond. Neither José or T.V. risked advancing.
    Bus Mercer came to the plate with the bases loaded. But to everyone’s