Shadow Over Second (5 page)

Nicky was quiet for a moment. Then he slowly extended his hand. “No hard feelings,
Stick,” he said. The boys shook hands.

Suddenly Nicky grinned. “But let me tell you right now,” he said, “I’m only one away from that record — and I’ve got a sneaking
suspicion I’m going to break it! I’m going to concentrate on playing, not on worrying about being jinxed. No more superstitious
nonsense for me!”

Turtleneck punched him lightly in the shoulder. “Does that mean you’re not going to do this anymore?”

He picked up a bat and mimicked Nicky’s batting ritual perfectly. The Mudders all exploded with laughter.

Nicky grinned. “Well,” he said, scratching his head. “Maybe I’ll keep just
one
of my superstitions! After all, it’s worked for me so far!”

All-Star Fever
^*

Centerfield Ballhawk

The Hit-Away Kid

Man Out at First

The Spy on Third Base

Zero’s Slider
^*

Join the Matt Christopher Fan Club!

To become an official member of the Matt Christopher Fan Club, send a business-size (9½″ × 4″) self-addressed
stamped envelope and $1.00 to:

Matt Christopher Fan Club

c/o Little, Brown and Company

34 Beacon Street

Boston, MA 02108

Like many ballplayers, Nicky Chong is superstitious. He performs a little pre-batting ritual each time he comes to the plate,
and he’s afraid that a jinx might keep him from breaking the runs-batted-in record that’s within his reach. Then Nicky’s worst
nightmare seems about to come true. Someone locks Nicky and Turtleneck Jones in a shed only moments before the Mudders’ second-to-last
game of the season — and Nicky’s last chance to break the record! Will Nicky let the jinx stop him, or will he overcome his
superstitions in time to foil his enemy?

Matt Christopher, the best-selling author of more than fifty sports novels for young readers, has written nine 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 cover of this book.

^*
Avalible in hardcover only