“And you have defeated some of the fastest amateur and professional teams in the whole country.”
“Correct.”
“Now, I think I know why. In every case you have been too swift for the amateurs.”
“Thank you.”
“And the professionals have made the mistake of underrating you. They have fancied they could defeat you without doing their level best, and that has led them into the bad mistake of not playing from the start in their best form. This has given you opportunities to win your games before they awakened to the fact that it was necessary for them to work hard.”
“Have you taken notice of the scoring of the games by innings?” asked Merry.
“Not particular notice.”
“I thought not. If you had, you would have seen that we have won almost every game in the final innings, those with the professionals being no exceptions to those with the amateurs. By the time they had played six or seven innings the most of these teams should have discovered what they were up against.”
“Possibly so,” nodded the visitor, “but professionals generally fancy they can win out against amateurs at any stage of the game. I am satisfied that this has caused you to win more than one hard game against professionals. They have neglected their opportunities. Now, Mr. Merriwell, I am here to make you a proposition. I have a baseball-team that I regard quite as fast as yours, or faster. It is made up of college men mainly, with a few others—and none of the others are professionals.
“I am confident that my team can defeat your team—so confident that I challenge you to a game on the Polo Grounds to-morrow afternoon at half-past three. I hope you will have the courage to accept after defeating so many teams this season, as I am sure the game must draw a large attendance here. New York is anxious to see you play, and the fans will be out in force. I will see that it is advertised as your final game for the season, and we will play on any terms you may see fit to name, the winning team to take seventy-five per cent. of the gate-money—or the whole of it. You cannot say this is not fair, and I think you cannot afford to refuse.”