Page:A "Bawl" for American Cricket.djvu/71

 of cricket, as well as for their patient unbiased judgement. Prompt decision following close observation, assures implicit obedience on the part of players and satisfaction to all. Their first duty after consulting the two captains and before the first ball has been bowled is to fix the hours of drawing stumps, and all details of time limits. The captain of the "ins" having numbered and placed his batters, while the captain of the "outs" has marshalled his field; the umpires assume control. After "play" is called their power is absolute, and their decisions final.

The work of the captain now begins. The "outs" if well disciplined depend largely upon the instinctive aptness of their leader. His assumption of the double role of captain and wicket keeper is notice to his men that however severe they may deem their duties, his require greater muscular strength, greater activity, greater continuance of effort and energy, greater brain power and keener eyesight than theirs. Every danger to which the fielders may be exposed is shared by the captain. When the ball is struck to any fielder an unobstructed view of it enables him to perform his duties without fear, for the watchful eye robs it of danger. Not so the wicket keeper, for the opaque batsman increaasedincreased [sic] in size by pads, gloves, and bat, moves in uncertain areas between him and the bowler. Every passed ball has been momentarily obscured—practically lost for perhaps the one-twentieth of a second, to the man who is expected to receive it. We think it will be cheerfully acknowledged by all, that the man who ignoring personal danger, finds a succession of passed balls through a long match, anyone of which were it to strike his face would finish his day's career, is a leader to be proud of. The ambition