“Now for a battle to the death,” said Tom grimly, as he led his men out to practice.
[CHAPTER XXXIII]
THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
From grand stands and bleachers came cheers, yells, songs and cries of many kinds. There was a record-breaking crowd, every seat seeming to be filled when the two nines, in their natty uniforms, began their warming-up work. In the bleachers were many townspeople, both Randall and Boxer Hall adherents. It seemed as if the unprotected seats, shimmering in the hot sun, were composed of mats of straw hats, with colored bands for ornaments.
In the grand stands there was a conglomeration of many colors, formed by the hats of girls, and the gay banners they carried, the yellow and maroon of Randall mingling with the red and green of Boxer Hall, a combination lately adopted.
“Great crowd,” commented Phil to Tom.
“Yes. But say, look at Langridge send ’em in!” for the rival pitcher was warming-up with Stoddard, his catcher.