Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-21

next ball did not come over. but the bats
man swung at II in vain. The next one was
an outcurve and the man at the plate
swung heavily. but missed, Two strikes
and one ball, and the crowd wilted. The
pitcher now had renewed confidence, but
the next motion OF his arm and the UNI
pire called ball
, 1T seemed minutes before the next ball
was pitched such was the intensity OF the
situation. but at last the sphere flew
through the air and again the umpire called
ball. Three balls and two strikes. and the
crowd gasped. The next one would probably
tell the story one way or the other. Breath
lessly they waited"
The Judge paused and O'sullivsn leaned
forward, unable TO wait for the conclusion
Go on-go onr" he exclaimed.
THE pitcher picked up the ball and was
an unduly long time molding It in his
hands On his face was written the determi-
nation TO strike the man out; and on the
face OF the batsman was just as strong a
determination to hit that ball and make
himself the hero Of the game. Then the
ball whirled through the air.
with all his strength the batter swung,
there was thud which told he had hit the
BALL and the crowd shouted itself hoarse
as the men on second and third came home,
while the batter circled the bases with the
evident intention OF scoring home run.
The Hit and the Catch.
THE bail had been hit to center field
and was far over the fielder's head. 1t
looked as though it was impossible to get
It, It was so far back. STILL he was re-
markable fielder. and even then the crowd
had confidence in him. They saw him run
back-back-back.~ He turned as the ball
was descending, but was not quite under It.
Then he gave leap into the air and pulled
the ball down with one hand.
But the cheers that came to every throat
quickly turned into a gasp of dismay, for
the fielder slipped and fell. Relief, how
ever, Immediately removed the doubt, for
the fielder held sloft the ball, proving to
most of those OF a skepticaI nature that he
had clasped the ball in death grip when
he went down, and that the catch was a
legitimate one. Friend and foe Joined in
the applause. The game was over and the
fielder had saved it when the other team
had made a close bid for victory in the
ninth inning. They surged about the fielder
and carried him on their shoulders from the
field"
O'Sullivan started to speak, but the judge
waved him back into silence.
That isn't quite ALL" he added. LAS a
matter of fact, the fielder did not catch
the BALL When he fell 1t rolled away from
him, and he quickly substituted another
which he had in his hip pocket. But the
crowd never knew the difference-no one
ever knew the difference but the man.
THAT man had made many wonderful
catches in his life, but that particular catch
was the one that his friends always remem.
bered and always spoke Of. They are never
tired even to this day, of praising him FOL
that great one-hand CATCH which saved the
game, twenty years ago. Every time they
speak of 1t he squirms and flushes guiltily
thousand times he has told himself tina
all is fair in love and war and that trickerS
is only a part of the game. But he is al
honest man and that Is the only dishones
thing he ever did. For twenty years it hal
been on his conscience"
He finished and walked over and uniocke,
the door. O'Sullivan sat half dreaming il
his chair. He was playing the game al
over and apparently was not aware tina
the judge had finished. Finally he arouse'
himself and picked up his hat to go.
Funny" he said, but that was jus
like game / played in once, and 1 wa
the man who made the long hit to cente
that looked like homer until the fielde
made a grandstand catch that took every
D body's breath away"
II know It," said the Judge. THAT wa
the game 1 have been telling about.
e recognized you, O'sullivan, the instant 20
took the witness stand"
. O'Suhivan's eyes opened wide wit
establishment. The same game" he NUT
/ tered. 'the same game. and you-you say
l. itp'
n I'm those days" said the judge, II wa
Badger Brown. 1t was who made tn
Is remarkable catch-I was the man VIII
saved the game."-New York Telegraph.