Evening star., 1936-07-19
TNSTALLMENT I.

Buddy Long tensed himself as he
watched the pitch. The count was
three balls and two strikes, the score
was to in the Hawks favor, and
there was nobody out in the first Of
the ninth. If the ball was hit to him,
his play would be to home plate.
There was sharp crack as the
ball met the bat. Buddy leaped high
in the air, but the ball whistled 6
feet above his head for a clean double
into deep center field. The two run
ners scampered home with the runs
that tied the score. A groan arose
from the crowd.
Buddy saw Big Pete pick up hand
ful of dirt and toss it away disgust
edly. With nobody out, a man on
second base, and a dangerous hitter
coming to bat, the game that had
seemed safely won for the Hawks a
moment before was now very much
in doubt.
Never mind, Pete Well get this
cne!' Buddy called encouragingly.
Pete wound up and delivered a ball.
The next pitch was fouled off, and
then Pete failed to find the plate on
his next three attempts. The batter
trotted to first.
Buddy frowned. This was no time
for Big Pete to lose his control! Up
in the stands a big crowd of loyal
townspeople were watching the game,
and among them was P. j. Hemstead,
owner of the Hemstead Machine Co.
and sponsor of the Hemstead Hawks.
Buddy knew how Mr. Henlstead hated
for his team to lose game. He was
a wealthy man, and base ball was
his chief interest in life. The team
that represented his factory was very
close to his heart and when it was
winning its members were high in
their employers favor. But when
they lost game, especially one which
they should have won, his displeasure
was always very much in evidence.
THE runners on second and first
r.. took long leads. Big Pete pitched
without a wind-up, and the throw
was high for ball one.
Hawks called. ''We're with you'll"
Big Pete. his control shaky' ma d
aged to groove the next pitch. AGAIN
there was the sharp crack of a bat.
Buddy saw the hit coming-a low,
vicious liner straight for second base.
He leaped wildly to his left ana
speared the ball with his gloved hand,
only six inches from the ground.
Then, stumbling and half falling. ne
kicked second base with one foot and
whipped the ball in rifle-shot peg TO
first. The runner there was caugnt
10 feet off the bag, and the side was
retired by one of the prettieSt triple
plays ever seen on diamond.
The crowd rose with wild yell ot
delight, and as Buddy trotted in to-
ward the bench, he kept his head
down to hide the grin that adorned
his freckled face. Other members OF
the team joined him and slapped him
on the back, showering their praise
upon him. Buddy's blue eyes twinkled.
and he blushed under his freckles.
Jaw, couldn't miss that play" he
protested. ut was all set up for me"
But the spectators thought other
wise. And in his seat just behind the
Hawks dugout, P. J. Hemstead turned
to his companion enthusiastically.
What do you think of that kid?"
he demanded, his face almost purple
with excitement. big league stuff,
isn't he? And he's only II years old!"
MIR. Hemstead's companion grinned
indulgently. You hire em young at
the Hemstead Machine Co."
"Oh, he is just working during the
Summer" P. J. Hen1stead said impa-
tiently. II gave him any old job in
the shipping department, just so he
could play ball for me. got him as
soon as high school was out in June"
Makes him sort of a half profess
sional, doesn't it?" the other man
suggested.
"Bunk!" scoffed Mr.. Hemstead.
"He actually has job, hasn't he?
And he only gets a shipping boys
wages with nothing added for base
ball OF course"-and here Mr.. Hem
stead winked-"his father works in
our engineering department, and I'll
admit he draws down a little higher
salary than the other men. Maybe
that's because his son is the best young
shortstop in dozen States. But who
cares?"
THE other man did not answer, for
- at that moment Buddy Long
stepped up to the plate. One of the
Hawks had already faced the pitcher,
and gone out on weak pop fly to
first base. But Buddy stepped into the
batting box with the air of meaning
business. His blue eyes squinted as
he faced the opposing pitcher.
He let the first two balls go by,
but the third pitch pleased him. His
bat swung with a smooth, powerful
motion, and the ball went sailing far
out into left field. The fielder chased it,
retrieved it, and made good throw,
but Buddy was roosting securely on
third base, and the stands We're once
more in frenzy.
A moment later the game was over.
The next hitter for the Hawks raised
o long fly. Buddy held his base until
the catch, then raced home ahead of
the throw with the winning run.
In the cozy little club house which
Mr.. Hemstead had provided for his
base ball team, Buddy received the
congratulations of the other players.
Even Big Pete, who had been with the
Red Sox for two seasons In his
younger days, gave him q grlIff but
hearty word of approval. And Mr..
Hemstead came into the dressing room
with his round face beaming his pleas
ure, and pumped Buddy's hand.
Great work, my boy!" he cried.
srNow don't let those roughnecks in
the shipping department work you too
hard. don't want you straining any
muscles, or anything"
Buddy was feeling fine as he went
home after the game, and when he
saw the newspapers accounts Of the
contest. he felt even better. More