Quiet settled over the crowd. The boys were too much interested in getting a line on the opponents of the "High" to make any noise. They presently had to confess that the visitors had a dash and vim about their practice which promised an exciting contest.
CHAPTER VII
FOUR TO NOTHING
"Play ball!"
These two words, uttered in a loud, authoritative tone, sent a sort of electric thrill through the impatient audience, which was only waiting for the first opportunity to expend its superfluous energy in a hair-raising yell.
The Stars having won the toss, Tony Tippen went to his place on the mound, while Dave Brandon, smiling in his usual good-natured fashion, walked briskly to the plate.
"He'll have to show the best in the shop to faze old Dave," chuckled Tom Clifton to Catcher Phil Brentall. "'Jack Frost' couldn't do it, could you, Jack? Ah! Tippen is going to let 'er fly. Watch him."
The boys were already watching with wide, staring eyes. They saw the pitcher "winding up." Then almost instantly the ball seemed to smack into the catcher's mit.
"Strike one!" called the umpire.