Carson was the next man.
"I don't believe I can hit a balloon," he muttered to Bart, ere leaving the bench. "I'm all out of practice, you know."
"You didn't appear very rusty at the start off," said Bart.
Berlin walked out, fouled the ball twice, and then lined it into left for two bags.
"Oh, yes, you're all out of practice!" laughed Bart. "You can't hit a bit, Carson!"
He was glad to see Berlin laughing on second.
"The old game's making him forget his troubles," thought Hodge. "That's the main reason why I wanted him to play."
"These back numbers seem to be onto your curves, Dale!" cried Bob Bubbs.
"Don't rub it in—please don't!" implored Sparkfair. "The way they slam me is simply awful! I did think I could pitch a little, but I'm afraid I was deceived."
He knew Scrogg's weakness, however, and, forced Sim to put up an easy infield fly, which Hollis handled.