CHAPTER XIV
STEALING BASES
A roar of derision went up from the crowds at this indication that Axander was bent on keeping the ball out of Joe’s reach, and this grew in volume when the next thrown ball was quite as wide as its predecessor.
“Play the game!”
“You’re a fine sport—I don’t think!”
“Where’s your nerve?”
“Crawl into a hole and draw it after you.”
But these and similar cries that came from stands and bleachers had no effect on the Cub pitcher. He had planned his course of action and adhered to it. And, of course, in this he was wholly within his rights. With two men out, it was good strategy to pass the man who was famous for his home runs and take a chance on Barrett who, though a good sticker, seldom went beyond a double or a triple.
Joe was desperate, for the one thing he wanted more than anything else at that moment was one good swing at the ball. But the next two that came up were wholly beyond his reach and he dropped his bat disgustedly and trotted down to first while the crowds howled their disappointment at being cheated out of the chance of seeing him hit.
Axander grinned triumphantly as Joe from first good-naturedly shook his fist at him. Then he took up his position in the box as Larry Barrett came to the plate.
Joe, from first, caught Larry’s eye and gave him a secret signal which meant that he was to take his time and either wait Axander out or foul off as many as possible.