“Why didn’t he hit dat?” he cried.
“Oh, wait, wait!” advised Freckles. “Dere’s plenty of time. He’ll hit der next one he goes after.”
But Freckles was mistaken. The next ball was a wide outdrop, which Kitson let pass. Then came a high ball that changed into a drop and shot down past the batter’s shoulders. He had anticipated a drop, and he tried to hit it, but did not judge it correctly.
“Stir-r-r-rike—kah two!”
Spud didn’t miss his chance to turn on Freckles.
“Shut up!” snapped Freckles. “He’s goin’ ter git a hit!”
Kitson thought so himself. He picked out another that looked good. It was an inshoot, and it spanked into Bart’s big mitt.
“You’re out!” came from the umpire.
Spud Bailey stood on his head, but Freckles viciously kicked him over.
Kitson shook his head as he walked to the bench.