WINNING AN UP-HILL GAME
Just at that moment there was such a dreadful clamor all over the field
that hearing any note of warning was utterly out of the question. The
Columbia cheer captain had started in again with his corps, and what
they did to rend the atmosphere with their racket was wonderful.
Coddling knew from the hasty gesture of the catcher that something was
going on; but he had wound up for a throw, and could not hold back
without a balk. The best he could do was to send it in direct to Clay’s
hands, in order to give the other a fair chance to throw to third, so
as to catch the purloiner of sacks.
Of course, Frank made a wild sweep at the ball. That was a part of
the game, to help disconcert the catcher. Clay stopped the ball
successfully, but it came at such an angle that he was not in exact
position to hurl the sphere to third.
A second counts for considerable at times in baseball. Seymour slid
like a Western avalanche. His extended fingers touched the base just as
Bardwell grabbed the spinning ball, and dropped to touch him.
The umpire extended both hands. That meant, of course, the runner was
safe, and a shriek went up from that immense crowd.
Now Frank faced Coddling again. Only a nice little base hit was needed
to bring the runner home. Would the Columbia pitcher be equal to the
call, or must trusty old Ben Allison be delegated to the task?
Frank struck! The “smack” electrified every heart in that great throng!
Far away out over the center field soared the ball, and several
thousand eyes followed its flight. Every player knew that the thing had
been done, although there was Tony Banghardt chasing wildly to get out
far enough to hold the ball.
“He’ll get it! Not this time, Columbia! Tony’s going to hold that
balloon!” howled a half-crazy Bellport backer, as he stretched his neck
to watch.
“You’ve got another guess coming, old fellow. What will the man on
third be doing all that time eh?” jeered a Columbia student.
Banghardt did get under. He made a magnificent catch, and held the
ball, even though he rolled over twice in so doing. But Seymour had
shot from the third bag the very second the ball fell. He was racing
like a wild broncho for home as Tony rolled about in the field. And by
the time the Bellport player managed to regain his feet to hold up the
ball, a run had crossed the plate for the visitors!
Again and again did Herman Hooker lead his demonstrative band around.
They howled, they cheered, they shrieked; and those who had lost
control of their voices jumped up and down like dancing dervishes.
_Columbia was a run to the good!_
Allison went out, shortstop to first. Then came the Bellports to the
bat, grim and determined, with Lee first to the plate, and ready to
smash the ball over the fence. Frank felt his lame arm troubling him,
but he set his teeth hard. He must hold out now to the end. This game
meant everything to Columbia High, and he was determined not to lose
it, if such a disaster could be avoided.
And every other man on the team felt just the same way. When Lee did
go after an outshoot, and give it a frightful crack, the crowd uttered
an involuntary “oh!” and then followed it with a tumultuous burst
of cheering. It was that acrobatic shortstop, Tom Budd, who became
responsible for this mad applause; for he had thrown himself to one
side, made a stab for the speedy passing ball, turned a complete
somersault, and upon landing on his feet shot the sphere at Lanky on
first in plenty of time to head off the runner.
Banghardt came next. The Bellports died hard, and Tony might have
followed up his brilliant catch with a hard hit, only he was short
of breath. Consequently after knocking two wicked fouls, the umpire
decided that he had allowed another good one to pass over the plate. So
Tony was invited to retire.
Smith, Jr., appeared as the last hope. Already were the players
beginning to put their bats away in the bags, as though the game might
be reckoned as good as over. Frank never faltered a particle. This man
was just as dangerous as though a dozen came after him. There must be
no let-up in speed or curves; for many a game apparently won has gone
the other way through over-confidence.
Three times did Smith sweep the air without discovering until too late
that he had bitten at deceivers. Then a roar broke out that dwarfed all
previous noises!
The game belonged to Columbia High! It meant that the coveted pennant
of the Tri-School League belonged to Columbia High for this season!