His gloved hand pulled in the bounding ball. Instantly he whipped it over to Tom, at first, then sprang back to his place on the sack.
"Send it here, Tom; send it here!" he yelled.
Charlie Blake, shortstop, was keenly alive to the possibilities of the situation. Day after day, Coach Steele had drilled into his men the importance of backing up players. "Even if it proves unnecessary nine times out of ten, on the next occasion it may prevent the scorer from chalking down a run," he said.
"When Tom gets excited he's apt to throw wild," reflected Blake.
Before Tony Tippen had touched second and was tearing on toward third Blake was off to back up the baseman.
A hundred throats poured forth volleys of encouragement to Tippen; and above the shrieks and yells the voices of Nat Wingate and John Hackett could be heard.
"Go it, Tippen; go it!" howled the former.
"Hi, hi, hi! Come all the way around!" screeched Hackett.
Kirk Talbot was dancing up and down in an excess of joy.
"Here's where we bring in the first run!" he yelled. "Ha, ha! I thought so!"