Now Frank was forced to put the ball over, in order to prevent the batter from walking to first. He used speed, and kept it shoulder high, with a slight in shoot.
Jack stepped forward and met the ball fairly, driving it out on a line.
Carson jumped for the ball, touched it with his fingers, but did not stop it. Jack reached first and started for second, but Rattleton got the ball, and Carson covered second in time to drive the runner back to first.
Maloney, the next hitter, was tall, red-headed, and freckle-faced. He rapped the very first ball that Frank pitched, sending it down to Rattleton so hotly that Harry fumbled, and the hitter was able to reach first ahead of the throw.
“Everybody hits!” cried Dorrity, who was near third. “Get against it, Corrigan, old man! Drive it out hard!”
Corrigan looked confident, but Frank caused him to fan at the first ball delivered. Then Merry tried to work the corners, but found himself rather wild, and three balls were called.
“Now he’s got to put ’em over!” cried Dorrity. “Wait it out!”
Frank took a chance and sent a straight one over.
Corrigan did not wait, but nailed the ball hard. It went to Ready with the speed of a bullet. Ready put his body in front of the ball, which took a nasty bound and struck him fairly between the eyes, knocking him over.
Ready was dazed, and by the time he had recovered and got the ball, Jack was on third and Maloney on second. Ready caught up the ball and swung his arm to throw to first.