The barring of Mersfeld from the diamond took him off the Varsity team for the time being, though he was still considered a member of it, even if he could not play. He was allowed to take part in practice games, however, for Captain Graydon and Coach Windam well knew the value of keeping some box men in reserve.
“No telling when Smith will develop a glass arm or go up in the air, or get wild,” said Graydon.
“No, but he’s doing well now,” declared the coach. “He pitched a no-hit-no-run game in a five inning practice the other day.”
“That’s too good to last. We’ve got to hold on to Mersfeld, and work up some one else.”
“Sure. Mighty queer how the Smith boys turned that statue trick; eh?”
“Oh, those fellows aren’t greenhorns, if they did come from the country. Wait until they get hold of the ropes here a little better, and they’ll cut things loose.”
“Yes, and maybe they’ll be barred from the team.”
But our heroes showed no inclinations, at present, of doing anything like that. They went on the even tenor of their ways, showed up regularly at baseball practice, and had their lessons as well, perhaps, as the average student. They did not “cut” more than the regulation number of lectures, and they made many friends.
Bill kept on improving in his control and his curve work, until the delighted coach and captain declared that they already had a good grip on the pennant.
Several unimportant games were played, and one or two of the league contests, in which the Westfield nine made about an even break. The season was far from over, and he would indeed have been a wise prophet who could have told who would win the pennant.