Emery looked astounded.
“Unusual?” he cried. “I should say so. Whoever heard of such a thing? Whoever heard of a freshman coaching men on the varsity nine?”
“But there’s no reason why a freshman should not do such a thing if he’s capable, is there? I don’t know of any reason.”
“Nor I,” admitted Emery, turning to Leyden. “What do you think of this peculiar proposition, Bill?”
Leyden was a Yale grad. Had he been a professional coach, it is likely he would have received Billings’ proposal with scornful derision; but, really having the good of the team at heart, he now admitted that there was, to his knowledge, no reason why a freshman should not coach any member of any varsity team.
“Will he do it?” asked Emery.
“I think he’ll do anything in his power to help his college. He has the right spirit. He’s a true Yale man.”
“He must be pretty busy on his own team,” said Leyden.
“He is,” nodded Billings. “Still, I think he would find a little time to do this work I’ve suggested.”
“If he undertook to coach all our pitchers, it would take his entire time,” said Leyden. “We must pick out a man and turn him over to Merriwell.”