Part 16 (1/2)
On a neutral field, with a firm umpire directing matters and with all the partic.i.p.ants members of the Boy Scouts, it was believed that for once a game between these old rivals might be threshed out to a conclusion.
Many shook their heads, remembering the Matt Tubbs of old and prophesying all manner of evil things that might spring from this bitterly contested game. Others, who knew something of the principles governing true scouts, tried to take heart of hope and believe that there must have been a great awakening in the former bully. But even they admitted that ”the proof of the pudding lay in the eating of it,”
and that they would be better satisfied when the end came without a riotous demonstration on the part of Fairfield and Cramertown.
The Hickory Ridge boys seemed to acquit themselves very well in practice. Numerous dazzling pick-ups were made by the infield that brought out roars of applause from the big crowd; while those tending the outer gardens had to make rapid speed and do some air-jumping in order to drag down the flies that were sent out in their direction.
Having seen both teams at work, the crowd hardly knew which looked the better. And, as in most cases, it ended in a strictly partisan division, each town standing loyally by its athletes, with Basking Ridge about equally divided.
Finally the Hickory Ridge fellows were called in from the field. The time for practice had expired, and presently, when a few little details were gone through with, real business would begin.
The two teams lined up for the fray in this order:
HICKORY RIDGE SCOUTS.
Ted Burgoyne Third Base Toby Jones Right Lil Artha First Base Chatz Maxfield Left Red Huggins Short Stop Ty Collins Center Matty Eggleston Second Base Elmer Chenowith Pitcher Mark c.u.mmings Catcher
FAIRFIELD SCOUTS.
Felix Wagner Second Base Adrian Cook Left John Bastian Right Henry Cobb Third Base Christy Poole First Base Angus McDowd Center John Mulligan Short Stop Tom Ballinger Catcher Matt Tubbs Pitcher
There was a wave of talk pa.s.sing over the throng as the two captains conferred. It was understood that they were deciding finally on the ground rules that must prevail, on account of the ma.s.s of spectators pus.h.i.+ng in on the lines. All Basking Ridge's local police force was on the spot, but half a dozen good-natured officers are next to useless when up against thousands; in contests of this sort dependence must be placed on the spirit of fair play that is generally a part of baseball crowds, especially in smaller towns, where the players are known.
”The game is called; now for it!” yelled the nearest spectators, as they saw the umpire pick up his mask and step forward to announce the batteries, while the Hickory Ridge players started for their positions.
”And we have the last look-in, as we take the field first!” howled an enthusiastic follower of the team that looked to Elmer as the keystone of their arch.
CHAPTER XIV.
HOW THE FIGHT WENT ON.
”THE batteries for to-day's game will be: Chenowith and c.u.mmings for Hickory' Ridge; Tubbs and Ballinger for Fairfield!”
The last word of the umpire was drowned in a roar, and the air seemed filled with waving hats, parasols of gaudy hues, handkerchiefs, and anything else that could be utilized for the occasion.
Then came a dead silence. Every eye, doubtless, was at that moment riveted on the young pitcher of the nine in the field as he sent in a few straight ones to his catcher, just to find the plate.
”They say he's got speed to burn,” remarked one Basking Ridge spectator who had never before seen Elmer pitch.
”But the best thing he's got is a nasty little slow drop that's running Christy Matthewson a close race,” commented a second one.
”Oh, shucks!” laughed a Fairfield boy close by; ”wait till you see how our fellows fatten their averages on those nice little drop balloons.
We've heard a heap about 'em, and have been practicing at hitting all such. Why, mark my words, before the end of the fifth inning this wonderful Elmer will be so tame he'll be eating out of the Fairfield players' hands.”
”Wait and see. The game is young,” called another fellow.
”I should say it was, when the first ball hasn't been sent over the rubber yet,” declared still a fourth spectator.