Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-12
FOOLISH AS A FOX
A Real Mascot for the Dudes-Major Boots Warns Up
Quite Frequently-He Gets Into Game at Last
and Pitches One Innng-A Hummer
By CHARLES E. VAN LOAN

park and Johnny bought him a suit of
clothes, but the major still retained his
lll-ltting uniform. In the mornings,
when certain members of the team prac-
ticed at the park, Hamilton took 1t upon
himself to teach the major the fall-away
slide, very exactlng performance for a
well-trained athlete, and for zlegler, with
his tremendous height and length of limb.
a veritable cruclhxion.
You see, maje," explained Hamilton
ITS this way: Baseball amt all pitching
and hitting. You've got to be able to get
around the bases, and you can't do 1t
unless you learn this slide. Now, try II
again, and hit the ground a little bit
harder. You're doing fine"
zlegler continued to "hit the ground"
until he was black and blue from knee to
shoulder. He practiced the fall-away
slide as he practiced everything else
painstakingly, earnestly, and with all his
might. Serious injury might have re.
suited had not Johnny Merry put a stop
TO Hamilton's comedy.
You let the major alone" said the
manager. you want to get him laid up?
He may be crazy, and all that, but he's
| harmless, and he's brought us luck, and
amt going to have a lot Of NUTS like
you give him the worst of It! Do you
get me?"
After a time, the major began gently
insisting that he be given his turn in the
box Merry suaVely explained that he
was saving him for some big game-some
game which he really felt he had to win.
There's no hurry" he said. Just keep
your arm In shape, and practice that slow
ball of yours. It's peach"
As matter of fact, the continued prac-
tipn having 10 TNa afoy- hnJ 4
developed a slow outcurve-the easiest
curve pall to throw-and there were times
when he could split the plate with 1t.
The Dudes continued their winning
streak; their luck held long enough to
carry them out in front in August, and
the pennant seemed theirs beyond any
reasonable doubt. The major continued
to clamor for his chance In the box, and
at last he got it-but 1t was in a game
which was hopclessly lost at the begin
ming of the ninth, by score something
like II to g. The opposition had devel-
oped terrific batting streak, hammer
ing the ball to all corners of the lot, and
the fans jeered, sarcastically.
This game is a jokeg said Merry,
with disgust. THAT being the case, wen
make 1t a good one"
little later he signaIed Ziegler and
the major ambled over and sat down by
the manager, very proud of the second
hand white uniform which he had re-
ceived after sliding through the first col
lection of misits.
You're going to pitch the ninth In
ming" said Merry. Get out there and
show 'em that slow ball OF yours"
Johnny had expected some sort OF n
remonstranoe from Zlegler4soms COM
plant at being sent into the box with
such overwhelming odds against him
Nothing of the sort. The major at once
began TO peel off his sweater, his face
wreathed In smiles.
There were only few disgruntled fans
remaining in the grandstand when Um-
pre- McSee whipped on his mask and
beloved the announcement:
"ziegler now pltchingl zieglerr'
The runways leading out of the mark
were ehoked with the backs Of dissnsted
patrons, but at the yell which went up
from the remaining handful these de-
serters paused, recognized the tremsn-
dous bulk of Abner Abercrombie Zisgisr
striding into the diamond, and then Win
| Joyous yells, scurried back 10 their seats
The bug was going to pitch, after am
There followed 10 minutes OF deliriops
c'medy-the sort OF a spectacle seldoT,
seen on any diamond. The onnosItIon
team entered into the spirit OF the thing
and helped II along. Man after mar
hunted that slow curve straight down
toward the pitchers box, ana Abnar
Abererombie threw the bali All over the
park In his anxiety to head on baas
runners, At last the side was out ana
the comedy was over The Opposition
had secured four more runs which wera
totally unnecessary.
CONTINUED ToMoRRow.)