“From the Greek, Buster; myo, close, and opsis, sight. My word, I wish old Dennison could have heard me!”
“Yes, you’re a swell Greek scholar!” jeered Buster. “Well, I just thought you’d like to hear about it, Joe. And I hope you get my place at second—if you want it.”
“Give it to Foley,” said Jack. “Joe doesn’t need it. But, honestly, Buster, I’m dead sorry you’re out of it this year. We’re going to miss you, old man. But you’ll be in better shape for next, eh?”
“If Frank’s going to have my place,” replied Buster dismally, “I’m sorrier than ever!”
CHAPTER XVI
FOLEY IS WORRIED
The next day Joe found himself playing third base. Gordon Smith was changed from shortstop to second and George Peddie was at short. But this arrangement lasted only a few innings. Peddie was out of place at short and Joe was equally miscast as third baseman. Then Steve Hale was put in at short and Joe and Frank Foley were instructed to change places. The game with the Scrubs was finished with that arrangement of the infield, and, while it produced better results than any previous combination, still it was far from perfect. After all, Hale was a third baseman first, last, and all the time, and Foley was not fast enough to fill his shoes. Joe secretly hoped that the arrangement would last, for he was in possession of his coveted position at first, and, in order that it might, he played the very best he knew how that afternoon and won applause more than once. Now that there were no wild pegs from Buster Healey to be stopped the position was far easier.
But the next day Foley was back at first in practice and Hale was once more cavorting around third. Gordon Smith was reinstated to his old position at short and the task of covering the middle bag fell to George Peddie. That, of course, put Joe once more on the bench, and once more Joe gave way to discouragement and Jack about made up his mind to lose that wager. But neither Coach Talbot nor Captain Craig was satisfied with a line-up that left out the hitting possibilities of Joe Faulkner, and when the two teams had battled through four innings Foley was taken out and again Joe went to first. By now the school in general, or as much of it as followed the fortunes of the baseball club, was watching the struggle for first base position with much interest. It seemed as though Coach Talbot had decided to give the two contestants equal chances and let them decide the matter themselves! Every day Joe and Frank Foley divided the position. It is not to be denied that Foley was still a more brilliant first baseman than his rival. Foley had a long reach that helped him considerably, had more experience, and was, in fact, a first-class man for the position. It was at the bat that he was forced to play second fiddle. Joe could outhit him two to one. Not only that, but on bases Foley was awkward and slow. He had a positive genius for being caught off the bags, and his attempts to slide were sad failures. Each of the boys had his following amongst the “fans” and whether Faulkner or Foley was to play first base in the Petersburg game became a question that was hotly argued.