The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-04-25

but the SdnSDury players wCiC ho1
proof against the tempting slow balls
that Mackay delivered. They hit at
wide curves far off the plate. and
when they did connect with the ball
it was only to send an easy chance
to the in6elders.
The game seesawed along. inning
after inning; it was pitchers battle
that looked as if the first run scored
would win the game. Mackay toyed
with the Salisbury boys; it was his
pleasure to toss up twisting. floating
balls that could scarcely be hit out
of the diamond. Wayne had the Bell
vile players utterly at his mercy; he
mixed up his high jump and fast drop
so clevcrly, with his sweeping out
curve, that his opponents were I'M
able to gauge his delivery at all.
In the first of the seventh, Barr
for Bcllvillc hit a ball which the
third bascman should have fielded.
But he fumbled. The second batter
sent a Ay to shortstop, who muffcd it.
The third hitter reached his base on
another error by an inhcldcr. Here
the bases were crowded. and the sit
uation had become critical all in a
moment. Wayne believed the infleld
would go to pieces, and lose the
game, then and there. If another hit
went to short or third.
STEADY up. boys" called Wayne,
and beckoned for his catcher.
Burns, it's up to you and me" he
said, in a low tone. "I'vc got to fan
the rest of these hitters. You're doing
splcndidly. Now, watch close for my
drop. Re ready to go down on your
knees. When | let myself out, the
ball generally hits the ground just
back of the plate"
"Speed 'em overw said Burns, his
swcaty face grim and determined.
"Tll get in front OF en-
The head of the batting list was
up for Bellvillc, and the whole Bell
vile contingent on the side lines rose
and yelled and cheered.
Moore was lcft-handed hitter,
who choked his bat up short, and
pokcd at the ball He was good
bunter, and swift on his feet. Wayne
had taken his measure, as he had that
of the other players, earlier in the
game; and he knew it was good
pitching to keep the ball in close to
Moore's hands, so that if he did
hit it, the chances were it would not
go safe.
Summoning all his strength,
Wayne took his long swing and shot
the ball over the inside corner with
terrific speed.
One strike!
Wayne knew it would not do to
waste any balls if he wished to main
tain that speed. so he put the second
one in the same place. Moore struck
too late.
Two strikes!
Then Burns signed for the last
drop. Wayne delivered it with trepi-
dation, for it was a hard curve to
handle. Moore fell all over himself
trying to hit it. Little Burns dropped
to his knees to block the vicious
curve. 1t struck the ground, ano,
glancing, doomed deep on the breast
protector.
How the Salisbury supporters roar
ed their approval! One man out-the
bases full-with Reed, the smuggling
captain, at bat!
If Reed had a weakness, Wayne
Reed had not hit safely. The captain
stood somewhat back from the plate,
fact that induced Wayne TO try
him with the speedy outcurve. Reed
lunged with powerful swing, pulling
away from the plate, and he missed
the curve by foot.
Wayne did not need to know any
moore. Reed had made his reputation
smuggling straight balls from heed
less pitchers. He chopped the air
twice more, and flung his bat saw
agely to the ground.
1.-TWO out-play the hitter" called
Wayne to his team.
Clark. the third man up. was the
surest batter on the Bellville team.
He looked dangerous. He had made
the only hit so far to the credit of
his team. Wayne tried to work him
on a high, fast ball close in Clark
swung freely and cracked a ripping
liner to left. Half the crowd roared,
and then groaned. for the beautiful
hit went foul by several yards. Wayne
wisely decided to risk all on his fast
drop. Clark missed the first, fouled
the second.
Two strikes,
Then he waited. He coolly let one.
two. three of the fast drops 60 by
without attempting to hit them.
Burns valiantly got his body in front
Of them These balls were all over
the plate. but too low to be called
strikes. With two strikes, and three
balls. and the bases full. Clark had
the advantage.
Tight as the place was, Wayne did
not finch. The game depended prac-
tically upon the next ball delivered.
Wayne craftily and daringly decided
to use another fast drop, for of all
his assortment that would be the one
least expected by Clark. But it must
be started higher, so that in case
Clark made no effort to swing, IL
would still be strike.
Gripping the ball with a clinched
hand. Wayne swung sharply. and
drove it home with the limit of his
power. 1t sped like bullet, waist