Coach Rice called the fellows to order and lined them up the long way of the gym. floor.
“My, what a whale of a lot of candidates,” he exclaimed as he counted them and looked them over. “Too big a crowd for me to handle in here. Guess some of you fellows will have to wait until I call for outdoor practice. For the present I am going to take all of your names. Then I’m going to ask only the old fellows and a few of the others to report in the gym. The rest of you will have to wait until outdoor practice begins.”
A wave of disappointed groans went up and down the line and Mr. Rice smiled.
“Sorry. Wish I could push the four walls of the gym. out far enough to accommodate all of you. Then we’d all be happy. Mr. Clarkson, will you take their names?”
Mr. Clarkson was the assistant coach in charge of the scrub team and as he went down the line taking the name of each boy he questioned them as to their previous playing experience.
When he came to Jeff he looked at the New City Y. M. C. A. insignia on his shirt and asked:
“Did you play with the New City ‘Y’ team last year?”
“Yes, sir. Third base,” said Jeff.
“Good,” he exclaimed. “We’ll need a third baseman this year. But you’ll have to work hard for the job. Wish you luck.”
“Thank you,” said Jeff cheerfully.