He whistled over a high one, and the batter tried for it, but missed cleanly.
Luckily, the ball did not get far away, though Keen was unable to hold it. As the ball bounded from the catcher’s hands the countryman came rushing up to cover the home plate.
“Squeeze um,” he admonished.
The catcher called for a drop, and it came, causing the batter to swipe for it with a swinging movement. He touched it and a second strike was called.
“I don’t think you’re very hard,” grinned the pitcher. “Try this one.”
But the batter would not be pulled, and a ball was called.
“Purty good one, Mr. Empire,” said the jay. “It cut a corner.”
“Play ball!” said the umpire.
“All right; I’ll cut the darned old rubber in halves!”
He did so, and the batter struck out. Two men had gone.