“Wait for a pretty one!”
“That’s their ten thousand dollar college pitcher! Back to the bench for his!”
These were only a few of the remarks, sarcastic and otherwise, that greeted Joe’s first performance. He felt the hot blood rush to his face, and then, as he stepped forward to receive the ball which the catcher tossed back to him, he tried to master his feelings. The catcher shook his head in a certain way, to signal to Joe to be on his guard. Joe looked over at Gregory, who did not glance at him.
“I’ll do better this time!” whispered Joe, fiercely.
He deliberated a moment before hurling in the next ball.
“Here goes a home run! Clout it over the fence, Pike!” called an enthusiastic “fan” in a shrill voice and the crowd laughed.
“Not if I know it!” muttered Joe.
The ball clipped the corner of the plate cleanly, and the batter, who had made a half motion to hit at it, refrained.
“Strike one!” yelled the umpire, throwing up his arm.