“You’re getting a pup-pup-pup-piece of it every time!” cried Jolliby. “Tut-tut-tut-take a good bite now!”
Fancying the batter was eager to hit, Kennedy tried to pull him on wide ones. Billy grinned at them and let them pass, with the result that three balls were swiftly called.
Brodie then signaled for a straight one.
As Billy swung to hit the next ball delivered the catcher swiftly touched the end of the bat and deflected it.
The ball plunked into Brodie’s mitt, Bradley having missed it cleanly.
“Did you see ’im, umpire?” shouted Billy excitedly. “’E ’it my bat! ’E bothered me!”
“Oh, go lay down!” sneered Brodie. “Don’t try that game! You’re out! Quit your squealing!”
In spite of Billy’s protest, the umpire persisted in declaring him out, having failed to observe Brodie’s action.
“Watch that catcher, Mr. Umpire,” urged Dick. “Don’t let him do any of that!”
“I will watch him,” promised the umpire.