Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/321

Rh fast as he took the ball and signaled to Roger, who was behind the plate. One of Rockville's heaviest hitters was facing him, and he knew he must be careful.

"Perhaps I had better let him have his base on balls," he thought, but that was "baby ball," to his notion, and he sent in a good, swift ball directly over the plate. The batsman struck at it, and sent it out to near center, getting first easily.

"That's the way to do it!" cried a Rockville coach. "Keep the ball a-rolling, Jackson!"

Jackson was also a good hitter, and after having two strikes called on him, he lined out a hot one to third base, just within the foul limit. Then came another hit, which brought in a run, and a fumble at second that resulted in another run and an out.

"Hurrah, 13 to 6!" was the shout. "We've got 'em beat to a standstill!" And again the rattles went off, followed by a loud tooting of horns, and a wild waving of Rockville banners.

The cheers made Dave set his teeth hard. He whispered a few words to Roger, and then hurried back to his place. In came the ball with a decided outward curve, and the batsman missed it completely. Then he missed twice more.

"Batter out!"

"Good!" shouted Phil. "That's the way to do it, Dave!"