Page:Baseball Joe on the School Nine.djvu/82

 "Oh, yes, but what's the use? It's all cut and dried."

"Who'll be on the nine?"

"I can pretty near tell you, all but the pitcher. And that will lay between Frank Brown and Larry Akers—both friends of Hiram. Luke will catch—that's a cinch. George Bland will be in centre-field. I may be at first, though I doubt it."

"Why?"

"Oh, because I dared to say Joe was right for answering Luke back that time. I'll probably be sent out in the daisies, but I don't care, for with Luke catching it's no easy matter to hold down the first bag. He throws so rotten high. Then Teeter will be on second. Nat Pierson on third, Harry Lauter in right, Jake Weston at short, and Charlie Borden in left. That's how it will be."

"And no show for Joe?"

"I can't see any, nor for you, either."

"Oh, I don't care about myself, but I'm interested in Joe. I do wish he could pitch."

"I'm afraid he can't," answered Peaches with a sigh. "I'd almost be willing to give my place to him, but I'm not altogether sure that I'll get on the nine, though I'm going to make a big fight for it."

"Oh, Joe wouldn't think of doing anything like that!" objected Tom. "But maybe my plan will