“Who’s going to be the battery?” was heard on all sides as the Pittston players went to the grounds.
“The old man hasn’t given it out yet,” was the reply of Jimmie Mack. The “old man” was always the manager, and the term conveyed no hint of disrespect.
The Montville team, a semi-professional one, was a good bit like the Silver Stars, Joe thought, when he saw the members run out on the diamond for practice. Still they looked to be a “husky lot,” as he admitted, and he was glad of it, for he wanted to see what he and his team-mates could do against a good aggregation.
“Play ball! Play ball!” called the umpire, as he dusted off the home plate. There was quite a crowd present, and when Gregory handed over his batting list the umpire made the announcement:
“Batteries—for Pittston, Collin and Gregory. For Montville, Smith and Jennings.”
“Um. He’s going to pitch Collin,” murmured Tooley in Joe’s ear. “That means we warm the bench.”
Joe was a little disappointed, but he tried not to show it.
This first game was neither better nor worse than many others. Naturally the playing was ragged under the circumstances.
The Pittstons had everything to lose by being beaten and not much to gain if they won the game. On the other hand the home nine had much to gain in case they should win. So they took rather desperate chances.
Pittston was first at bat, and succeeded in getting two runs over. Then came a slump, and in quick succession three men went down, two being struck out. The Montville pitcher was a professional who had been in a big league, but who had drifted to a minor, and finally landed in the semi-pro ranks. But he had some good “heaves” left.