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 League yet. If you've ever watched school-boy baseball, you've seen that what they can't hit, five times out of seven, is a really fast ball. They like to say they can, and I guess they believe it, but they can't. Maybe one reason is that they don't often get fast ones, for there aren't many youngsters of your age who can stand the strain of pitching them. Mind, I don't say that you won't be able to get by without more speed than you've got, but I do say that not having speed is a weakness. I'm emphasizing this because I want you to realize that you've got to make your curves mighty good to make up for that shortcoming."

"Yes, sir," replied Kewpie almost humbly. "I understand."

"Good. Now, then, let's see. Oh, yes, about that ball you call a 'floater.' Did Wilkens teach you that?"

"No, sir, I—I got that out of a book. It—it isn't as good as it might be, I guess, but I'm getting the hang of it, sir."

"Well, I wouldn't monkey with it just now. It's a hard ball to pitch—hard on the muscles. You don't want too many things. If I were you,