“Let’s start with the battery,” said Mr. Gifford. “Of course George Porter will pitch.”
“He may not last the game, though,” said Sam. “The question is who shall we put in after him?”
“One of us, I guess. Can you twirl?”
Sam shook his head. “Neither can I,” said Steve. “How about you, Andy?”
“A little; at least, I’ve done some of it. But I haven’t anything much on the ball. I used to be able to pitch an out-shoot that sometimes got over, and that’s about all, except a fairly fast ball.”
“My idea, then,” said Sam, “would be for you to start the game and hold them as long as you can. Then we’ll put in Porter.”
“Maybe they won’t tumble to you for three or four innings,” said Steve encouragingly. “I dare say Porter will be able to go six. You’ll catch, Sam?”
“Why, yes, I suppose so. Or if you think we’d better give the fellows all the show we can, Benson could start.”
“We need a steady catcher, Sam. Of course, we want to let the fellows get all the fun they can out of it, but there’s no use throwing the game away on that account. Battery, then, to start, Gifford and Craig.” He set it down on the pad he held. “Now then, who for first?”