It was the funniest mixup that even the veteran players had ever seen on a ball field, and as for the crowd they were wild with joy.
The third baseman, finding that Curry was about to get away from him and unable to get the ball out of his pocket, finally threw his arms about him and hugged him close in the wild hope that some part of the protruding ball would touch his prisoner’s person and thus put him out.
The sight of those burly gladiators, locked in a fond embrace, threatened the sanity of the 127 onlookers, but the farce was ended when Curry finally wriggled out from the anaconda grasp of his opponent and took a chance for the plate.
Then there was a hot debate, as the umpire, himself laughing until the tears ran down his face, tried to solve the situation. Had Curry been touched by the ball, or had he not? Had the ball been caught or not?
Players on both sides tugged at him as they debated the matter pro and con.
“I don’t know what that umpire’s name is,” grinned Jim to Joe, who was weak with laughter, “but I know what it ought to be.”
“What?” asked Joe.
“Solomon,” chuckled Jim.