The Washington times., 1902-05-18

teeth in determination and struck out the
next three men by a magnificent effort.
His arm was about played out now. and
he felt a dull. throbbing pain above the
elbo-.
Coach Foster whispered a few words of
encouragement to Reub as he came to the
oat Tor Perseverance. The friends of the
.IsI'ing team left their seats and swarmed
| INTO the field In body. They arrayed
themselves at the edge of the diamond and
cheered Justify. though with hoarse and
| weary throats
Hit 'er out, Reub!" Here's where wS
win!' We've got to have a run, old mani!
were some of the expressions shouted at
the batsmen-but Mr. Foster urged 81
lence. lest Reub might become nervous
from the din.
Reub showed his self-possession by
sending well-placed single over third
base. There was hope. after all. Still.
Ierry OBrien struck out. and Wilbur
Wheatley went out on an infield fly.
Two out and one on base, with three
runs needed to tie the score! George Ora
nam drove sharp grounder between first
and second, and both runners were safe.
Harry Hanford was burning to atone for
his costly mum, and he got his chance
when he sent a safe hit to centerfield.
There were now three on bases and two
out. Not sound was heard as Jack Hem
derson came to the Plate. The tension
was so great that no one seemed able to
utter n word.
Dick Ives realized that he was in a tight
place. He had whispered consultation
with his catcher. then returned to the box
and prepared to deliver the ball. The first
three balls went very wide, but the catcher
seemed to have no difficulty In stopping
them safely. II was very evident to Jack
that Dick was trying to give him a base
on balls. for fear of letting him hit for
several bases. This would force in a run;
but as the next batsman was a substitute,
Dick was apparently hoping to settle him
in quick order. and thereby end the game
with the score to in favor of the Inyin-
cibles.
Realizing that he must hit the next
ball or sacrifice his chance to send in !
more than one run, Jack eyed the pitcher |
closely. Straight as an arrow the fourth |
ball came-but far from the plate. Jack |
stepped forward and swung out at 1t with |
all his strength.
Crack, Jacks bat met the ball squarely |
and sent 1t sailing fair and high into the |
air. The center fielder ran back desper- !
ateiy. but his effort was hopeless, for the |
|
peared over the fence. 1t was never |
found.
One after another the base runners
crossed the plate. First Reub Sayles,
then George Graham and thea Harry /
Hanford and Jack Henderson almost to-
gether. The score was to 3. Persever-
ance had won the game, and with it the
championship of the amateur baseball
leaguei 4
AS each player reached the plate he
was surrounded by eager friends. who
bore him away in triumph on sturdy !
shoulders. The whole team was finally
carried of the field. in this fashion. amid
reJoicings impossible 10 describe. 1t was
a fitting ending to 4 remarkable game
Yet. in the midst of all this celebra-
tion. there was feeling Of respect for
the vanquished team. The boys gave a
hearty cheer for the Jnvincibles. and the
latter returned the eourtesy, like true
sportsmen. Poor DICK Ives broke down
and sobbed as If his heart would break.
He had dore his bes. to bring victory to
his team. and 1t seemed too bad to lose,
after all. In the 20 innings he had given
hut IL hits and struck out 30 men. Reub
struck out II men and allowed IS hits.
As the crowd filed through the gates
the sun had sunk to rest and darkness
was setting fast. For four hours the bat
tie had been waged stubbornly, and
enough the players of both
teams we're almost exhausted from their
efforts.
Every member of the Perseverance team
was heartily cheerd on the way home.
The four miles to Riverview was quickly
covered. At the village green a large
crowd had assembled to welcome the
home coming party. When the first car
had arrived. and the news of the victory
became generally known. mighty cheer
went up. One enthusiast ran over to the
city hall and rang the old bell.