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What do you say?”
    Tug snorted. “You’ll risk being called a prized bear, Koby. Coach T. won’t like it.”
    Sara ignored Tug. “It’ll just be a couple of questions, like how you started pitching, who your influences were, things like
     that. People want to know you better — and I bet it would make more of them come to your games.”
    Koby pondered for a moment, then turned to Tug. “Maybe I should do it. I mean, if Sara thinks it would fill the stands, then
     it could be a good idea.”
    Tug looked unconvinced. “Maybe. But how about a dual interview, you and me, instead of just you? We’re a team, remember?”
     He looked at Sara as if expecting her to refuse.
    But Sara just threw up her hands and said, “If it will get Koby to talk, I guess I could include you. Sheesh, what some people
     will do to see their name in print.” She closed her social studies book and opened her notebook. “You two scram for a littlewhile so I can come up with some questions. Go practice pitching or something.”
    Obediently, Koby and Tug stood up to leave.
    “Hey, before you go, microwave me some more popcorn!” Sara added, holding out the empty bowl.
    Twenty minutes later, Sara called them back inside.
    “OK, ready? Question number one: Koby, how long have you been pitching?”
    “I’ve been pitching for five years, since Little League.”
    “Have you ever played any other positions?”
    “Once. I played outfield for a summer league game when our regular center fielder and his substitute were both on vacation.”
    “But pitching is where you naturally belong. Anyone can see that. Right?”
    Koby shrugged. “It’s where I feel I can help my team best, yeah.”
    Sara consulted her notebook. “Who first got you interested in baseball?”
    Before Koby had a chance to reply, Tug interrupted. “Hey, hello there! When are you going to ask
me
a question?”
    Sara sighed. “OK, Tug. Tell me, how long have you been Koby’s catcher?”
    “Oh, brother,” Tug groaned.
    Koby intervened. “Sara, I think I should point out something you might not know. You see, Tug is really important to how well
     I pitch during a game. I count on him to know things about the batters and to call pitches that might fool them. Without his
     steady target, the famous Hummer, I might not be as accurate a pitcher. And besides that, he’s great at covering home, throwing
     runners out at second, and he hits well, too. So —”
    Sara held up her hand. “OK, OK, I get the picture. I’ll include as much about Tug as I can. No promises, though. Do you still
     want to do the interview?” She looked at Koby for an answer.
    Koby glanced at Tug. “What do you think?”
    Tug rolled his eyes. “Yeah, whatever. I hate playing second banana to this guy, but we might as well finish it.”
    Koby gave him a wry smile. “I promise to remember you when I’m rich and famous, Second Banana. For now, let’s get this interview
     over with.” He turned back to Sara. “In answer to your question,
    my brother, Chuck, was the one who got me interested in baseball, when he pitched for the Cardinals.”
    “When was that?” Sara asked.
    “Six years ago. I don’t remember much about his season, only that it wasn’t very good. But he kept up his enthusiasm, no matter
     what. Even got an award for it.”
    Sara scribbled madly in her notebook. Tug, meanwhile, drummed his fingers on the table. Koby could tell that he had had just
     about enough of the interview.
    Well, he’ll feel differently when the article comes out, Koby thought. I’m sure Sara will include that stuff about him. His
     ego is just bruised now, because Sara is giving me all the attention. But he knows I’m only doing this for the team. Doesn’t
     he?

5
The Megaphone
    Monticello Middle School
    May 20
SPORTS SHORTS
    by Sara Wilson
    By now, the name Koby Caplin should be familiar to anyone who’s read my column over the past few weeks. Well, I managed to
     corner him recently to ask him some