《英语沙龙》(原版阅读)︱The Adviser金玉良言达伦是六年级的学生

阅读难度：★☆☆☆☆

By Susan C. Hall Illustrated by Anni Matsick Narrated by Lilly Yu

本文刊载于《英语沙龙》（原版阅读）2017年08期

达伦是六年级的学生，他参加了棒球队，但在得知自己不在首发阵容之列后，有点闷闷不乐。想想这一个春季爸爸一直陪着自己在球场上，老爸在大学就打棒球，自己现在这样的状况，父亲该多失望。回家路上遇到了同学艾琳，她肯定了达伦的进步，并建议他打球时候多动脑子。达伦表面上表示感谢，心里却不以为意。赛场上，都到最后一局了，达伦所在队还落后一分。达论主请缨上场，却出师不利，关键时刻他想到了艾琳的建议。他经过认真观察和分析，加上老爸交给他的几招，表现出色，为本队得分，夺取了胜利。他最终领悟到好友的建议真是金玉良言。

Darren McDuffy slouched and studied the ground as he walked home from baseball practice. And because he wasn’t watching where he was going, he bumped smackdab into Erin Curtain, another sixth-grader from his school.

Erin always had an opinion, and no doubt she’d have one about this collision. But to Darren’s surprise, she actually smiled at him when he apologized.

“No problem,” she said. “If I hadn’t been daydreaming, I’d have seen you coming. Hey, you look down in the dumps. What’s up?”

“I just found out that I didn’t make the starting lineup,” Darren said. “I can’t stand the thought of telling my dad. He played baseball in college, and he’s been working with me all spring.”

“This is the first time you’ve made the school team, isn’t it?” Erin asked.

“Yeah.”

“Remember how many times you struck out and dropped the ball when we played in the teeball league?” she said. “You’ve made a lot of improvement since then, but you’re still pretty awkward. Till your coordination improves, you’re going to have to depend on your smarts.”

“My what?”

“Your brain,” she said. “Darren, your dad’s taught you more about baseball than most of the guys on your team will ever know.”

“Sure. But what good does that do if I’m sitting on the bench?”

“Even on the sidelines, you need to use your noggin.” She tapped the side of her forehead with her finger for emphasis.

Darren thanked her for the advice, but he chuckled as he continued toward home. Erin had always been a know-it-all. Now she thought she was an expert on baseball. That was a hoot.

Darren sat on the end of the bench, feeling miserable. He hadn’t told his father about not making the starting lineup. Now the game was under way, his dad was in the bleachers, and the secret was out.

Coach had promised that everyone would get into the game, but there was no hiding the fact that Darren was a second-stringer.

His team, the Hornets, was playing the Blue Sox, last year’s city champs. Now, going into the bottom of the last inning, the Hornets were one run behind.

The first Hornet to bat in the inning got a hit. The next one struck out. Then the Blue Sox pitcher threw a wild pitch, and the runner moved to second. He reached third base on the next pitch as the batter grounded out.

“We have a chance here, guys,” Coach shouted.

“Coach,” said Darren. “I haven’t played. Remember your promise?”

A surprised look crossed the coach’s face. Then he smiled. “You’re right, McDuffy. Pinch-hit for this batter. Garner will follow you, and he’s our best hitter.” He handed a bat to Darren. “Try to draw a walk. You don’t even have to swing at the ball.”

Humiliated, Darren trudged to the plate.

“Strike one!” the umpire yelled as the first pitch sailed by.

How am I ever going to draw a walk from this guy? Darren wondered. Except for that wild pitch, he’s had super control.

Then Darren remembered what Erin had said: Use your noggin.

He watched the pitcher bend down and pick up the resin bag. He always does that before he throws a change-up, Darren thought. I’ve watched him do it all afternoon. I can bunt a slow pitch like that; Dad taught me how. And bunting isn’t the same as swinging. . . .

The pitch came toward the plate. Darren turned toward it and laid down a slow, rolling bunt.

The infielders seemed stunned. At first they didn’t move, then the pitcher, catcher, and first baseman raced to the ball. The pitcher picked it up, but there was no one at first base to throw it to. Darren was safe.

In the confusion, the runner at third base quietly ran home to tie the score.

Darren was sure he could hear his father’s voice in the cheering crowd.

That pitcher hasn’t made a pick-off attempt all day, Darren thought. I can steal second and get in scoring position. It’s risky with two outs, but I can do it.

Darren took a big lead, inching away from the base. Then, as the pitcher went into his delivery, Darren took off.

He slid into second long before the catcher’s throw arrived, then popped up with a smile.

Darren concentrated on the pitcher again and saw him shake off a sign from the catcher. When he shakes off a sign, it means he wants to throw his fastball instead of what the catcher called for. Garner loves to hit fastballs. If he’s going to get a hit, he’ll get it now. I’ll be running as soon as the pitch is released.

As Darren took off, he heard the crack of the bat and knew Garner had made contact.

“Keep going, McDuffy!” Coach yelled as Darren neared third base. “Keep going!”

Darren rounded the bag and headed for home.

“Safe!” roared the umpire as Darren slid across the plate.

The crowd cheered wildly. They gave most of the credit to Garner for driving in the winning run, but Darren’s dad didn’t. “You showed me some smart baseball today,” he said. “I’m proud of you.”

“Well done, McDuffy,” crowed the coach.

Darren spotted Erin on the sidelines. She waved, tapped the side of her forehead, and gave him a thumbs-up sign.

Darren returned the sign and laughed. Erin knew what she was talking about after all.

注释：

smack-dab ["sm?k"d?b] ad. <口> 恰好；不偏不倚地

down in the dumps 心情跌入谷底；垂头丧气

make the starting lineup成为主力，首发阵容

strike out（棒球赛中）（使）三击不中出局

tee-ball软式垒球，与棒垒球的性质相似，它的竞争性和趣味性都可以和正规棒垒球相媲美，它的特点是比赛规则简化、场地条件要求低、可参与人数多，而且球是软的，击球棒也是软的，极具安全性，非常适合4到8岁的孩子在校园内开展垒球的初级训练。tee-ball league从装束到规则与职业联盟无差异。

sideline ["sa?dla?n] n. 球场边线

That was a hoot.有点可笑！（口语，表示不以为然）

second-stringer n. 替补队员

inning ["?n??] n. 局（棒球术语）

run [r?n] n.【棒】跑垒得分；跑垒one run behind 还落后一分

pitcher ["p?t??] n. 投手

wild pitch（棒球中投手的）暴投，指偏离本垒板致接手无法接住的投球

ground out（棒球中）被杀出局

pinch-hit ["p?nt?"h?t] vi.（棒球中替补队员在紧要关头）替补击球

walk [w??k] n. <美>【棒】（击球员因投手投出四坏球的）自由上垒draw a walk保送上垒

umpire ["?mpa??] n. 裁判

resin ["rez?n]n. 树脂 resin bag 树脂垒包

change-up n.（棒球中的）变速投球

bunt [b?nt] vi. 轻打球，触击球；n. 触击球

tie the score打成平局

pick-off [?p?k?f] n.（棒球中投手或接球手对跑垒员的）突然传杀

pop up 突然出现

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