Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-08-07
TRIBUTE OF A FAN. "

Great is the national game
Snatch a couple of hours away iron
the ceaseless grind of toll and sea
yourself comfortably in the granC
stand
The smoothly scraped diamond. witt
its lanking white lines and its turfeC
outfeld. are before you.
Nine athletes, clad in the armor q
modern knight-errantry, with a soil
tary batsman OF the opposing team
rivet Your attention
The pitcher, with graceful swing Of
arm and subtle curves, essays to throw
the ball across the base not higher
than the batsman's shoulder nor lower
than his knee, yet to do il so deftly as
to prevent the batsman from hitting
it squarely.
The catcher, close behind the plate,
encased in mail for protection against
ugly foul tips, receives the swift-com-
Ing ball in his great nit.
Ii is now the ninth inning and the
score is ted
The batsman offers at a wide out
curve that just clears the end d his
weapon. "One strike m yells the
umpire from his post OF inspection in
rear OF the catcher The ball is re-
turned to the pitcher like clockwork
The batsman connects with the next
ball thrown. You see his stick flash
in the sunlight, hear the crack OF the
hit, a flash between short and third, a
wild reach after the streaking sphere,
a sprint to first and one safe hit Is
scored.
Now the hatsman is a runner, with
his eye on second base, toward which
he cautiously plays.
The next man up attempts sacri-
fee hit, but the ball pops over into the
third baseman's nit. II is whisked
across to first, but the runner there, by
a lightning movement, gets back in
time to prevent double play One
outr'
Three times the wary pitcher at
tempts to tool the next hitter by plac-
ing balls Just a little out OF his reach,
but he is equally foxy and never offers
At them. 1t is now up to the twirler
10 put over a good one. Crack Out
goes the ball 10 far ceDter-feld,
bounding into the ielder's hands. He
snaps it to second, but the runner has
slid under and is safe.
A hit now means run.
It's the ninth inning, and the score
IS tied.
The grand stand and bleaehers are
masses of excited humanity, with
every eye on the next man at bat.
He is nervous and strikes at two wide
)nes. Then come two balls, with
groanS Tor the umpire.
The next ball is a quick in-shoot,
md the third strike is missed by the
catcher, rolling few feet to the right.
Three pairs OF legs are streaking
lround the bases. The ball. quickly
by the catcher. gets to first
ahead OF the runner and he is out. but
men are on second and third.
The story Of the game will soon be
old.
Everybody is on tip-toe now.
One of the best hitters is up.
The pitcher gathers himself for the
supreme effort. lone striker Ball
,nem Ball twon Two strikes :"
Ball three'"
Now is the critical moment
The next pitch will win OF lose the
game.
A thousand throats are cleaving the
lir with mad yells
The anxious twirler stoops and rolls
he ball in the dirt, steps into the box, |
ries his footing, gives his trousers a
hitch, glances around at the runners
IN second and third, swings his arm
md lets the ball 90.
The batsman notes that it will be a !
trike if he fails to hit it. He picks |
'ut its probable course across the
late. lunges at it with strength and /
ccuracy, and away it speeds to far
eft field. while two scores troop in |
nd the game is won.
You come to. a few minutes later,
TO find your voice sounding
Ike a fog horn, but happy in the
bought that the home team won.
We pity the poor soul who doesn't
NOW, or cannot enjoy, the game of
,aseball, the most honest, manly.
cientife and spectacular Of all ath-
etc sports.