“Play ball!”
Not a bit flustered by the shouts, Denton took his time, and after encouraging his team mate sauntered slowly back to his position.
But Hamilton’s good right arm had lost its cunning. His first ball was wild, and the batter, seeing this, waited him out and was given a pass. His comrades moved up and the bags were full, with none out and the heaviest sluggers of the team coming to the bat.
McRae and Brennan had been holding an earnest conference, and now on a signal from them Hamilton came in from the box.
“It’s no use,” said McRae to Brennan, while the crowd howled in derision. “We’ll have to play our trump and put Matson in to hold them down.”
“But he hasn’t warmed up,” said Brennan dubiously.
“That makes no difference,” replied McRae. “I’d rather put him in cold than anyone else warm.”
“All right; do as you please,” responded the other manager.
McRae called over to where Joe was sitting. The crack pitcher had been watching the progress of the game with keen interest, although making comparatively few comments. As McRae 97 approached Joe, the crowd howled louder than ever at Hamilton.
“Why don’t you learn how to pitch?”