“Hello, manager,” replied Larry. “I want to thank you fellows—I have been afraid it is a mistake”——
“Better thank Lattiser,” laughed Clark. “He talked the professor into it. Old Terbush came through like a trump. Said we owed it to you for what the committee did. We’ll never get rid of you now. He is as strong for you as he was against you.”
“He’s honest in his beliefs, anyhow,” said Larry, “I’d never dare face him when I was guilty. He made me feel guilty when I was innocent.”
“What are we going to do about the club?” asked Clark. “I never played the game enough to know it, but you may count on me to back you up.”
Larry explained carefully his plan for the formation of the team, and the idea met the approval of the new manager.
“You have the ground work of a team, anyhow,” he said. “I suppose you will select men to fill in the positions?”
“No,” replied Larry. “My idea is to forget that any one ever played on the team—and award every position to the fellow who plays the best ball.”
“You’ll have some of the fraternity men and some Seniors in your hair,” warned Clark. “However, what we want is a team—I’ll back you up and you may count on Lattiser and Terbush.”
The interest in baseball revived quickly when Larry’s plan for choosing a team became known among the students. Instead of the usual two dozen candidates, the field swarmed with players of all conditions, each hopeful of getting a position.
“Candidates for catcher,” Larry called, after the throng had been batting and throwing for half an hour.