Page:Baseball Joe on the School Nine.djvu/87

 name himself, and some one else does it for him. Oh, the cut-and-dried program is going through all right!"

"Wait and see," suggested Tom with a wink.

"Are the selections of the nominating committee sanctioned?" asked Hiram.

Again came a chorus of "ayes."

"What about the pitcher?" asked Luke. "Will you name him, Hiram?"

"Yes!" said the manager and he looked about the room until his eyes lit on those of Joe. "I'll name Frank Brown as regular pitcher with Larry Akers as substitute."

Again came the chorus of confirmation.

"Just as I told you," murmured Peaches.

Tom was on his feet as the murmurs died away. Hiram was speaking.

"That completes the regular nine," the manager said, "and it only remains to name the substitutes. I think we will let them go until you fellows have had some practice, so we can get a line on you. There's time enough. We'll begin regular practice next week, if the weather permits, and then I'll arrange for games. I have some in prospect, and the Blue Banner—"

"Mr. Chairman!" interrupted Tom.