So the talk ran on, while the next player came up, and the man on first reached second. Then came a short hit. Link got the ball and threw it to third and the man on second stayed where he was.
"Go in for a home run!" shouted somebody in the crowd. A run of that sort meant three runs, for both first and second bases were now occupied by runners.
In the midst of the fever-heat of excitement one of the Excelsiors' best batsmen came to the plate. He had made a two and a three-base hit and everybody felt that he could score a home run if given half a chance.
"I must be careful," thought Joe. He realized that his arm was not as limber as it had been. He had wanted to put Link in as pitcher the inning before, but the others would not have it.
Making certain that the runners were not "playing off" too far, he delivered the ball with care.
"One strike!" sang out the umpire, although the batsman had not moved his bat.
Again the ball was sent in. This time the bat came around, but the sphere was not touched.
"Two strikes!"
A murmur arose among the Excelsiors.
"Hit it, Wheeling; you've got to hit it!"