“The Denville Whizzers, but I don’t imagine we’ll have much trouble with them,” said the manager. “However, it won’t do to take any chances. Practice hard, fellows,” and with that he left the dressing room.
Sam Morton had gone out some time before and Joe and Tom soon followed. As they strolled down the street toward their homes Tom said:
“Say Joe, I was in earnest in saying I’d coach you. I believe you do need practice in throwing, and if you haven’t given up the idea of pitching some day——”
“I’ll never give up the idea until I’m knocked out of the box,” declared Joe.
“Good! Then I’ll help coach you. I was going to say it wasn’t much fun practicing alone, and as a matter of fact it doesn’t do much good.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I’ve been reading up about baseball lately. I got a book on pitching, and——”
“Say, will you lend it to me?” asked Joe eagerly. “Or tell me where I can buy one?”
“Sure I will. I was going to say that it has articles in it by star professional pitchers and a lot of them agree that it isn’t much use just to go out and throw a ball at a spot on the backstop or the fence.”
“What’s the best way then?” asked Joe, who had supposed from his limited knowledge that to practice at hitting a certain spot with the ball was about the best he could do.