Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/311

Rh including the annual "try-out" with Rockville Military Academy.

"We must do better this season," said Phil, who was captain of the nine. "Rockville has crowed over us long enough on the ball field."

"Dave, you said you loved to play ball," said Roger.

"I do," was the ready reply. "But I don't think I can play well enough to go on the Hall nine."

"We'll try you," said Phil. "Every year we try a dozen candidates, you know."

Phil was captain of the club, and played second base, while Roger was one of the catchers, alternating with Shadow Hamilton, who played first base. Sam Day played right field, and the other positions were, or rather, had been, filled by various players. A boy named Carden had been the principal pitcher during the previous season, but he had left the school shortly afterwards.

As soon as the ground was in proper condition, baseball playing began, to the exclusion almost of every other field sport. As he was not invited to join the regular Hall team, Gus Plum organized a nine of his own, with himself as pitcher and Nat Poole as catcher.

"We'll practice up and then issue a challenge to the regular team," said the bully to his crony. "If we manage to defeat them they will have to let