Rival Pitchers of Oakdale

. "Len Roberts certainly told the truth," h

y?" asked a fell

, startled. "I did

eveloped, hasn't he? But we'll get onto him yet. When these strike-out twirlers go to piec

y do," fabr

ht; but I'm just a little bit afraid of Phil, for he lacks the heart to stan

o pitcher,

hat's true; but Springer himself has said that Rod's got

ucky for

o break into a tumultuous uproar. Sanger followed, and he straightened out a bender into a whistling line drive to the left of Chipper Cooper; whereupon Cooper made up for his

while the sympathizers with the crimson fra

t!" cried Springer as soon

ittle fellow, with mock modesty. "A trifling i

d it into the waiting hands of Ben Stone, who scar

on the Oakdale pitcher, who was walking toward the bench. "Wai

Stone was well on his way toward second when the Oakdale captain lay a dead one down a few feet in front of the pan. Roger came near turning his a

ht," cried Nelson from the coachi

ind," deri

Stone home, made four fouls in

ill expire at the second station. Here's the

ining to reach for the decoys, Rod finally met the ball on the trade mark, lining it over the center fielder's hea

his throat. "Why, they're hitti

low at Roy's elbow. "They're hammering h

p," said Roy. "He'

Here's Cooper. He's not a strong batter, but-- Oh, gee! look

man, who made a desperate but futile effort to reach the ball; and Oakdale

and Sleuth Piper, trying for a hit, drove

Cooper, returning for the second time to fi

e and nervous, shook his head. Copley promptly repeated the signal,

, but he missed it cleanly. In a moment he was raging at the ca

ur head if you try that

ung back Copley belligerently. "

trick," threatened Sleuth stiffly. "That's all I've got

y, pale-faced fellow; and the umpire, not having seen the catche

ing down beside the ropes toward first base. As if he felt the attraction of Roy's glance, the city youth turned his head and smiled in an undisturbed manner, wh

face was contorted by that crooked grin which always seemed trying to pull his crooked nose back into its proper place. Then, as he stepped into the box,

distinct, tone of voice, while Eliot was signaling to Springer

hit unless forced to do so, being the kind of a batter who preferred to wait and walk when

when, to the surprise of very many beside Eliot, Roberts landed hard on Springer's straight one, driv

own. "Hit 'em where they ain't; that's the way. Here comes the huckleberry now," he ad

moment," cried Cooper instantly.

the outfield, this time going toward right. Again the fielder had no trouble in reaching

ortled Cooper. "Rack, you're rui

, continuing to smile. "If I l

tered Roy Hooker b

was again up, was dangerous, tried two wide ones to star

suddenly, as Phil swung into

icrously ineffective jump for it, the ball passing at least ten feet above his outstretched hand. But Piper, leaping forward and speeding up surprisingly, made

ody protector over his head. "Royal support, Phil," he

eturned Phil. "If they

w can't hit you the way those three did. Now, boys, we'll lea

gain he fanned Nelson and Barker; and, although Springer hit the ball, it was an easy rolle

from the ropes back of first base, Herbert resenting their remarks concerning his loyalty, and rath

ressed, for he followed Sanger's example by striking out Pratt and W

r Cooper. "It begins to look like a shut-out

eturned Eliot promptly. "Two runs are mighty few; we must

two-bagger, and, when Eliot poked a dai

s, Crane fanning, Grant expiring on a foul which Copley took thirty feet behin

e. He urged them to "get into it," "hit it out," "drop on it," "give it a rise," and, as if braced by his cries, they began slaughtering Springer mercilessl

n his disturbed state he actually swallowed the chew of gum he had procured. R

ancing and waving his arms on the coaching line near third. "Got