“Oh, I’ll be there with the goods all right,” boasted Sam. He glanced at Joe as he said this as much as to intimate that his rival would not get a chance in the box.
The Fairdale Blues were a strong team, and, as they had beaten the Stars several times, and had also won from the Resolutes, who were considered the strongest team in the county, more than the usual interest attached to the coming contest.
It was to be played on the Stars’ grounds, and early on the day of the game the grandstand and bleachers began to fill. The Blues arrived in several big carryalls with a noisy crowd of “rooters” carrying horns, bells and clappers—anything with which to make a racket.
“They’ll get Sam’s goat if he isn’t careful,” observed Rodney Burke, when the Stars went out to practice.
“Don’t you fool yourself,” retorted Sam. “I’m going to pitch a no-hit no-run game to-day.”
“That’s like Sam—boasting as usual,” commented Rodney.
“Well, I think he’ll make good,” said an admirer of the pitcher.
“Wait until you see what kind of hitters the Blues have,” cautioned Rodney. “They may knock Sam out of the box. Then if Joe goes in——”
“Aw, Joe won’t get a chance to-day,” was the retort. “He hasn’t had enough practice.”