Joe noticed that Collin regarded him sharply in the intervals of his own practice, but he was prepared for a little professional jealousy, and knew how to take it. He had seen it manifested often enough at school and college, though there the spirit of the university was paramount to personal triumph—every player was willing to sacrifice himself that the team might win. And, in a large measure, of course, this is so in professional baseball. But human nature is human nature, whether one is playing for money or for glory, and in perhaps no other sport where money counts for as much as it does in baseball, will you find more of the spirit of the school than in the ranks of the diamond professionals.
“Take it easy, Joe; take it easy,” advised Terry, with a good-natured smile, as the lad stung in the balls. “You’ve got speed, and I’m willing to admit it without having you split my mitt. But save yourself for a game. You’re not trying to pitch anyone out now, you know, and there’s no one looking at you.”
“I guess I forgot this was just practice,” admitted Joe with a laugh. “I’ll throw in some easy ones.”
He did, and saw an admiring look on Terry’s face.
“They seem to have the punch—that’s a nice little drop you’ve got. But don’t work it too much. Vary your delivery.”
From time to time as the practice proceeded Terry gave Joe good advice. Occasionally this would be supplemented by something Mack or Gregory would say and Joe took it all in, resolving to profit by it.
The practice came to an end, and the players were advised by their trainer, Mike McGuire, to take walks in the country round-about.
“It’ll be good for your legs and wind,” was the comment.
Joe enjoyed this almost as much as the work on the field, for the country was new to him and a source of constant delight. He went out with some of the men, and again would stroll off by himself.
Saturday, the day when the first practice game was to be played, found Joe a bit nervous. He wondered whether he would get a chance to pitch. So too, for that matter, did Tom Tooley, the south-paw moundman, who was nearer Joe’s age than was Collin.