“The Bowery nine for a silver cup,

And we’re short two men; good players they;

But they couldn’t come to the game to-day.”

“And the Bowery nine,” another said,

“Are bigger boys by half-a-head,

And good at bat and quick to run;

They beat us last time two to one.”

“They don’t play fair,” said another lad,

“They count all balls both good and bad;