Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-09-07

The Plymouth Nec.- were seasoned team, and the
had told him that probably he would be farmed
out to the minor leagues again before the opened
Buck had borne this in mind during the practice ga
they had played in the lazy Southern atmosphere and
had worked to get into condition he had worked
before At New Orleans, the Old Man had sent him in
for the last three innings against the Peicsns and he
had moved them down without The Old Man
had nodded approvingy that night and several of the
older men had been more cordial than before. The
oldest pitcher the staff had glowcred at him
TIE hotel lobby.
Two weeks before tho opened they turned
back North dropping off recruits at every junction with
blles to take another years preparation in the bush
leagues. Buck had not received
He remembered the opening day their home grounds
when the Plymouth Rocks and the visiting team had
been hauled through the streets in breaks with brass
band in front. From his seat the bench he had
watched the great banks of noisy humanity in the
stands had heard the sharp OF approval at each
clever stop fast throw the team pracced followed
by shouts of laughter that had greeted the mayors
effort to pitch the first ball the plate, laughter
which aad changed to storm Of cheering, Fred
Jones, vaeran spit baist." walked out toward the
pitchers box.
With his knees Rugged up under his chin, he had
studied every of tho great pitcher he made the
visiting bstters "eat out of his hand' He had followed
with attentive eyes each sweep of the that Jones
used for his wide slants
After they had the game he hung around the
veterans with open for every inside story of the
plays. He had wanted to learn it ali.
For a couple of weeks the Old Man had only used
him to give the other fellows batting pactce. Then,
one day, he had stood watching him for long time
as he warmed up and had finally said:
antrim, you go to 'em this afternoon"
lie recalled that his heart had given great leap and
then had swelled until it seemed to choke him. Just
I'LL. A. Go1l
As he walked into the pitchers box, there had been
a subdued buzz of inquiry. lie heard some in the
grand stand say:
"Who is he3 Who's the twirleri"
His mouth dry and he didn't trust himself to
look at the grand stand lie kept his eyes glued the
batter leaning cxpectantv forward and gently swinging
his bat. The catcher signaled for out, and lie
wound up and shot the ball toward the waiting nit
BALL" shouted the umpire. Again the catcher sig
nailed and again he threw.
"Baau tub" counted the man with the indicator
He felt the sweat begin 10 start The batter cered at
him amuscly. Detached yells from the bleachers
"Wait for a good one, Billy" "AIakc him be good!"
"llcl have to put one over!
lie gifted his teeth and tried again
"Baall thrce!"
The perspiration rolling OF him and his scalp
ched under his cap The crowd was roaring now and
the battcrs teeth cleaned in w9liiSh grim ,;o,
just at the crisis OF his swing hghpitched voice in
the bleachcr, shrillcd
Hes goin to walk We, Bill"
The words aesacd him like knife thrust. Even az
the ball left his fingers he knew he had let 1t 60 too
quick
Take yer basel" sang out the umpire querulously
The catcher walked forward into the diamond.
STEADY down, Old Head! Steady down." the receiver
muttcrcd and walked back.
The first ball he pitched hit the next man up in the
ribs and he limpcd first base with huresquc look
OF pain The crowd shouting and believing now.
Again the catcher advanced.
You ought to be pichin hay, you big kubc you!''
he hissed and stuck his jaw ont pugnaciously
AS Bud wound up for his throw the coachers behind
first and third bases yapped shrllly; -
yah, YAH now, now now! You can't put IL oVcr!
lie let 90 and drove the ball toward the plate In
tutivey he knew the curve would break too late. The
batter knew it, too.
lie took step forward and swung with all his might.
There was crack the wood met the horse hide and
turning around, Buc, saw Hedges in right field running
toward the fence Three figures in white tore around the
bases After long time Hedges overlook the rolling
ball and threw wildly for the plate; but the throw was
quick enough and all three runners scored Still
dazcd he the Old Man reckoning to him. and Grey
the southpaw, pulling off his sweater The crowd had
laughed as he went to the bench.
If the Old Man had talked the game over with Buck
that night when they got back to the hotel and from
his store Of baseball knowledge had explained to the
boy where his weakness lay, the Young pitcher would
probably have gone back TO the slab at his next OPP
portunity and redeemed himself The Ola Man however,
was not built on sympathetic lines lie had been edu-
Gated in the school that believed in the survival of the
fttes Perhaps there was also just trace OF envy in
his feeling toward the youngser. Youth must crowd
out age, but hates to admit 1t; ana the ola Man,
being an old timer himself, knew more about the
spot in the oldest pitchers heart-who was trying every
art he had learned to keep from the public what his
teammates knew, that he not what he used TO be
than he did about the sting Of the crowds laughter TO
Antrim At any rate he had ignored him with silence
that cut and the boy had failed to come back
To-day had been his sixth tryout, and only once had
he his game and that against the tail enders
Whether it was true not, he had firmly convinced
himself that the other fellows thought he was mutt"
The studied aoofness of the players off the field and the
glare of the Old Man. which grew more pronounced each
time he lost game had gotten on his nerves till he felt
sick and weak he stepped into the box.
lie racked his brains for reason. lie knew he had
all the speed and curves that had won his games the
year before lie wasn't sick. He wasn't stale. He just
couldn't pitch winning ball, that was all.
rap his door interrupted his train of thought.
"Come I'M" he called. The door opened and the Old
Man stood glowcrng the Threshold lie walked in
and stood in front of the pitcher.
81 haven't got much TO say to you,~ he snarcd, 81
tell you all want to in about minute. You're
baggage with this ball team, and I'll be blamed
if IN going to pay freight You any longer. Here's
your unconditional release and your pay to date Go
out on n farm and get job huskin' pumpkins! That's
where you belong out with the yaps!"
He turned sfy and staked out Of the room, not
deigning to shut the door behind him
For long time Antrim stood gazing stupidity out into