Trueman objected to giving the man his base, but the umpire stood by his decision.
“Now, here’s where we start!” yelled the coacher, as a runner took the place of the man who had been hit. “Get a lead! Get off that bag! He can’t catch you in a month!”
In fact, the jay seemed utterly careless of the man on first, but he suddenly snapped his foot toward the bag and threw at the same instant.
The ball was in the baseman’s hands almost instantly, and he tagged the runner as the latter tried to get back.
“Out!” cried the umpire.
“A-haw! a-haw! a-haw!” roared the pitcher, and like an echo came the braying laugh from the bleachers.
“Balk! balk!” yelled the captain of the Minneapolis team. “How is that for a balk, Mr. Umpire?”
“The man is out,” said the umpire.
“Now some other feller jump in front of the ball,” invited the jay, as the uproar subsided.