For a moment the stands, even the
bleachers, were stone quiet. No player had ever
hit a ball over that fence. It had been deemed
impossible, as was attested to by the many painted
``ads'' offering prizes for such a feat. Suddenly
the far end of the bleachers exploded and the
swelling roar rolled up to engulf the grand stand
in thunder. Billie ran round the bases to applause
never before vented on that field. But he gave no
sign that it affected him; he did not even doff
his cap. White-faced and stern, he hurried to the
bench, where Pat fell all over him and many of
the players grasped his hands.
Up in her box Madge was crushing her score-
card and whispering: ``Oh! Billie, I could hug
you for that!''
Two runs on two pitched balls! That was an
opening to stir an exacting audience to the highest
pitch of enthusiasm. The Denver manager
peremptorily called Keene off the diamond and
sent in Steele, a south-paw, who had always
bothered Pat's left-handed hitters. That move
showed his astute judgment, for Steele struck out
McReady and retired Curtis and Mahew on easy
chances.
It was Dalgren's turn to pitch and though he
had shown promise in several games he had not
yet been tried out on a team of Denver's strength.
The bleachers gave him a good cheering as he
walked into the box, but for all that they whistled
their wonder at Pat's assurance in putting him
against the Cowboys in an important game.
Pages:
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153