“Play ball!” called the umpire again, at the conclusion of the sending in of a practice ball or two.
Joe caught his breath sharply.
“It’s now or never!” he thought as he grasped the ball in readiness for the jump. “It’s going to strain me, but if I go home for a day or so I can rest up.”
In went the horsehide sphere with great force. It accomplished just what Joe hoped it would. The batter instinctively stepped back, but there was no need. The ball neatly clipped the corner of the plate, and the umpire called:
“Strike one!”
Instantly there was a howl from the crowd.
“That’s the way!”
“Two more, Matson, old man!”
“Make him stand up!”