The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-15

Ia OW. II there was one thing that
Bud" Allison. captain and short
stop of the famous Red Lot
- Team. tried to impress upon the
band of youthful ball-tossers he had
gathered round him, it was the value
of always doing just what "the other
Fellow" didn't expect you to do.
THE kid who plays baseball like
he was-well, like he was recitin in
school," he had said to them by way
OF illustration. will never amount t:
much in the great American game.
When the teacher asks you one ques-
ton and you answer it, you hold your
breath, sit tight and hope to goodness
she won't ask you another, don't you?
Well, that may be all right for the
schoolroom. But. fellows, it won't go
on the diamonds
What good does it do if you make
hit and then stick with your feet
glued to first-base: None at ALL
Keep your eyes open. Watch for
your chance--and then beat it for
second. Anybody can be batted
around the bases by the man behind
him-just so long as his legs don't
give way under him. But-watch
every opportunity and aim to do just
the thing the other side doesn't think
you're even dreaming of doing! That's
the way to win a ball-game!"
Now that was a long speech for
bud" to make, for he usually said
little and Worked hard. But, some.
how, he had felt that the boys needed
e.. Il
the game with the Cliftons that day
For the nine from Clifton was strong
one indeed and only three weeks be-
fore, on their own grounds, had lost
to the Red Lots by but a single run
Their infield was every bit as eff
cient, both in fielding and at the bat as
the Red Lots. and their pitcher had
as wide curve and as much speed
as any on the Red Lot staff-except
of course, Smoke ball' Thompson
But. alas, today Smoke ball" had
been compelled to accompany his
father on trip out Of town, needless
to say much against his will So
Well. it was the ninth inning-thaf
dread final frame" in which so many
games are decided and which has so
often brought amazement and despair
and a corresponding surprise and JOY
TO the other team that wins out in it,
Curly" Graves, known as the tooth
! iclS twirler of the Red Lots because
os his slender build, had proved a
capable substitute for "Smoke-ball, :,
backed up as he was by splendid sup
port in both the inner and outer gar
den. But the Cliftons had managed to
touch him nm now and tben
The score stood-Clftons 6; Red
Lots. 3. And the Red Lots were up
for their last raps." Unless they
tied the score the game would be lost
Swiftly" AIillen. the fast-fiying left
fielder of the Red Lots lead off with
smoking single to center and then stole
second on the FIRST ball pitched.
Bud" Allison laid down a beautiful
bunt, advancing swiftly to third. but
himself being caught at first by
single step.
Then. rip" Dugan, the doughty,
red-haired catcher and the boy who
could pull off double and triples with
as much ease as he could get on the
outside of a strawberry pie. stepped
~ to the plate.
The Red Lot rooters We're yelling
like mad - jeering at the Clifton
pitcher and trying to rattle him. With
swiftly on third. only one man out,
and RIP" at the bat things looked
bright indeed for a Red Lot victory.
A clean single, an error or long fly
to the outfield would score the tying
run---and. once the score was evened
up. they felt certain they knew which
team would win out!