“Strike two!” called the umpire this time, and there was no doubt about it for King had swung viciously at the ball. But Sam had sent in a puzzling little drop, and the knowledge that he had fooled a good batter brought a smile to his otherwise scowling face.
“Here’s where I get you!” he predicted.
But alas for his hopes! The bat met the ball squarely and Sam had made the mistake of sending a fast ball to a heavy hitter enabling King to knock out a pretty three bagger. Far back as Joe had stationed himself he was not far enough and he had to turn and run after the horsehide. And how he did run! He was thinking desperately what would happen if he missed it! He made up his mind that he would not, yet it was not within the power of any one to get to the spot before the ball fell.
Joe felt it graze the tips of his fingers as it rushed downward but that was all. He heard himself groan involuntarily in anguish as the ball hit the ground with a thud. He lost no time in idle regrets however, but picked it up and made a throw to third in time to hold King there, for the doughty player had a notion of continuing on home.
“Good try old man!” yelled some spectators on the benches nearest Joe. He felt that his effort was somewhat appreciated but he wondered what Darrell would think of it. Sam was scowling again, whether at Joe’s perfectly natural miss, or the fact that he was hit for three bases was impossible to guess.
“Try for the next one,” called Darrell cheerfully, and Sam did with such success that Bigney, who was second up for the Red Stockings, only pounded out a little drizzler that Sam quickly gathered in and threw to first. King was still held on third. Smart fanned out, and then came Steel, who, after knocking a couple of fouls, was fooled on a little in-shoot which made three out, King dying on third and the side being retired with no runs.
“Oh, not so bad,” said Sam as he walked in to the bench.
“I guess we’ve got their number all right,” assented Darrell. He saw Joe coming in from centre and the manager stopped to speak to him.
“Nobody could have gotten that ball,” he said, for he realized that the new player might blame himself unjustly. “I didn’t think King had it in him, or I’d have told you to play out to the limit. He won’t get you that way again.”
“I guess not!” exclaimed Joe heartily.