“Going to try for the team?” asked Harold.
“Will if they want me. You?”
“I’m going to make them want me. The best pitcher they had last year is gone and they need some one.”
“Better try for something else. Everybody thinks he can pitch. Only a few know how.”
“Well, I’m a Southpaw pitcher, and I was pretty good on the High School team out home. Southpaws are scarce.”
“Left handed, eh! You look quick, too. Think you might make a first baseman.”
“I’d rather pitch,” said Harold.
“All right, sir,” said Hagner. “You can pitch if you want to and if they want you, but if they give me a chance any place, I think I can stop them all right, and if I miss one occasionally, I think I can hold the job with my bat. What’s your first name? Mine’s John, but you can call me Hagner.”
“My first name is Harold, but you had better call me by my last name, too.”