The pitcher then tried a drop, which was pronounced a ball, and Kennedy quickly decided to force him to swing on the next one.
Earl fouled it.
With two strikes and two balls called, the Jersey City pitcher again attempted to deceive Gardner, and again failed.
“Three balls!” called the umpire.
“Make him put it over, Earl,” urged Dick. “If he does put it over give it a ride.”
Kennedy did put it over, using all the speed he could command, without a curve.
Gardner snapped his bat round quickly and met the ball full and fair, sending it whistling over the head of the second baseman and bringing the island crowd up with a shout. It was a clean hit for Fairhaven’s centre fielder.
“That’s the way to soak ’em, dern their picters!” squealed Obediah Tubbs, as he danced with elephantine grace down the coaching line back of first.
“This is a regular three-ring circus!” cried a Rockford man sneeringly. “There goes the clown! Say, fatty, do you know how a fool looks?”
“Yep!” promptly answered Obed, turning and facing the speaker. “I noticed you when I first came onto the ground. I’ll bring you a mirror so you can see for yourself.”