Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-17


ne Css . Very Bright That He Wanted
"a Take Her.
She expressed desire to go over and
zee game Of baseball. and he was only
too glad TO take her. There were sew
e-al reasons for his joy-because she
was pretty. because he liked her. be-
cause be was baseball crank and be-
cause he knew she was so bright and
smart she would catch right on AT once
and be great comfort to him as a COM
pAnion at future games and in talking
them over in the cleaning. So he took
her, and when they had been comfort
ably seated he began to explain the LAY
out" to her.
III do this" he said, before the
game is called"
Called WHAT" she inquired.
He laughed good naturally and ex-
planned that Ito call" meant Ito begin"
and she laughed and said ''of course"
and how silly she was. just as women
always do under those circumstances.
BY this time the players were taking
their places
"You see," he said, "there are nine
players on each side."
How many sides" she asked, deter
mined not to make any more mistakes.
Two"
She calculated q moment on her FIN
gers.
That's eighteen IN all, isn't it,"
Eyes, and nine are at the bat and
nine in the field. That square there is
the diamond, and around it are the first
base, second base and third base"
Don't they have any tenors or so
pranosw she asked innocently.
He looked at her earnestly and
laughed. but not sweetly.
THAT man behind the man with the
bat in his hand h the catcher" he said
coldly.
What does he catch-bats? But Of
course he doesn't" she interrupted her.
self hastily. How silly l am! He
catches flies. doesn't he? he couldn't
catch bats in the daytime. could he?"
And there's the pitchers box" he
went on. not noticing her explanation.
THAT box over there with the men
sitting on itY' she inquired. What
does DO keep in this curves? l heard
brother talking the other day about
what an elegant curve some pitcher or
other he knew had"
mo. Mary" he said sadly. "the box
is the place where the pitcher stands.
Beyond him 10 the shortstop, and out in
the open there you see the fielders. Be-
hind the catcher is the backstop."
Whats the difference between the
backstop and the shortstopt" she inquired
earnestly.
You'll sec that as the game pre-
eresses," be said Now watch the
PLAYERS minute"
The umpire shouted, Three balls"
why. Harry" she protested, there
was only one ball. saw the catcher
get 1t in his hands.
The umpire has to 90 that" ex-
planned the young man.
What do they call him the empire
i for:" she asked. Because it is a mo-
narchisl form Of government
Il guess So" said Harry, with a real
smile at her ingenuity.
This is real exciting. isn't it" she ex-
claimed. clapping her hands when every
body did 1t good play. "Ididn't think
knew enough about the game to enjoy
IL 1T all, but this is real fun"
The player had knocked safe fly to
right, and tbs man next at the bat fol-
lowed with o foul, which the umpire
mentioned in the usual manner.
What does he call il foul for?" she
asked. II know" she put in quickly.
Its because it didn't go any distance.
90 the hitter could run. Isn't it, Harry
Harry said il was. and shortly after
the man on second sneaked to third
HE stole that base beautifully" ex-
claimed Harry enthusiastically.
Can they keep them when they steal
them abe asked-
Certainly
"And can they take them home with
tf.m and count them az the end Of the
season in making up their recordy' she
asked again.
Harry looked at her, this time scorn-
fully. and until the game closed he made
no more explanations. Then he made a
few. and since that day she has not talked
baseball 1T all. and Harry prefers 1t 30.