Zero's Slider (5 page)

Uncle Pete cleared his throat and tugged his baseball cap into place.

“I’ll do my best to give you good coaching advice today and for the next two weeks. But let me just say this for now — I’ve
watched you play many games, and I can’t think of a team I’d rather be a part of. You boys really know how to work together
to make the plays happen. Now let’s get out there and show those Devils what we’re made of!”

The Mudders let out a whoop and poured onto the field. Zero reached the mound and picked up the ball that was resting there.
He thumped it into his glove, then looked at his right hand. His finger had only one small purple bruise left on it. As he
threw his first
warm-up pitches to Chess, he couldn’t feel any pain at all.

And best of all, Zero hit the target every time.

The Peach Street Mudders are in trouble: They need to find a substitute coach quick. Pitcher Zero Ford would love to ask his
uncle Pete to step in, but after his poor performance on the mound, he doubts his uncle would be interested. Then Zero injures
his finger — and finds he can throw an amazing pitch that stumps every batter he faces! The question is, When the bandage
comes off, will the slider — and Uncle Pete — disappear?

Matt Christopher
is the bestselling author of six other books in the Peach Street Mudders series. For a complete listing of these titles and
information on joining the Matt Christopher Fan Club, please turn to the inside back cover of this book. Mr. Christopher lives
in Rock Hill, South Carolina.