Bearover was speaking to McCann.
"We want to make some runs in this inning, Mike," he said. "If we can roll up a few tallies, it ought to discourage the youngsters. It's not easy to bluff them, but we may be able to get their tails down, and an uphill game is a hard game for any team to play. Start us off, McCann."
The captain of the visitors walked out and hit the first ball pitched to him, although it was fully six inches higher than his shoulders. The hit was a sharp drive into the field, and Carson took it on the first bound and promptly sent it to Badger, which held McCann at first.
Frank believed Mertez would try to bunt, and he kept the ball high. Mertez fouled the first one, and a strike was called.
McCann was forced to return to first after getting a big start toward second.
Merry fancied he saw a signal exchanged between the batter and the base runner. Something told him McCann would try to steal.
Nevertheless, Frank appeared careless in permitting the captain of the Rovers to get a lead off first. When he pitched, however, Merry whistled the ball over high and wide so that it came into Bart's hands in such a manner that Hodge was in perfect position to throw to second.
McCann was scooting down the line.
Bart threw to second.
Badger covered the sack, took the ball and tagged McCann as the runner was sliding.