Honey Wiggins evidently guessed the play, too, and so did others on the team, for Buck Hart yelled:
“Come on, Honey, play the batter. On your toes, every one, and watch out for a hit-and-run play.”
Honey faced the batter, and as he did so every runner took a long lead off base. They started with the snap of Honey’s arm. But Honey, using his head, did not shoot over a ball that was good for a clean hit. It was high and swift, and Oleson, doubtless nervous himself, and knowing that he had to play the first ball, took a short, snappy swing at it. He connected. There was a report and a flash of white in the air in the direction of third base.
Jeff, on his toes, close to his bag, saw what had happened. He saw the white sphere coming toward him four feet above his head. It was a safe drive if it got by him, and it surely looked as if it would. All three men on base were moving under full steam and Oleson was sprinting toward first.
[With a terrific jump Jeff shot up in the air] and stuck out his gloved hand. There was a thump of ball against leather and Jeff, clinging to the sphere, dropped to the bag, then stepping out quickly, tagged the runner who was coming full speed down from second.
[With a terrific jump Jeff shot up in the air]
Then in the most matter-of-fact way he tossed the ball to Honey Wiggins and began to trot toward the bench.
For a moment absolute silence settled over the field. No one save Jeff seemed to realize what had happened.