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Tim signaled for a pitch-out, or waste ball. He pitched. The catcher had shrewdly judged that Glenrock would try to steal the moment she got a runner on. He saw the runner break for second. He got the ball, drew back his arm, and shot the sphere down without rising from his squat. It was a beautiful throw, and the runner was out by a yard. "Try to get fresh with the kid pitcher, eh?" yelled Tim.
And as for Don, a wave of gladness ran through his veins. His curves were working, and this batter didn't seem to be any harder to pitch to than some high school players he had faced. Tim called for pitch-outs on the next two, hoping that the batter would "bite." The Glenrock player, though, seemed to have become cautious.
His thoughts were turned on the afternoon. The Glenrock team had a reputation as hitters, and he wondered, in spite of what Ted had said, whether he would be able to hold his own. When Ted had asked him to pitch for the Chester town team, he had protested that he was only a high school player. Ted, however, had told him earnestly that many town team pitchers were no better.
Don was sure that there would be quite a crowd. Nor was he mistaken. Early as it was when he came to the field, spectators were already gathering. Ted, a seasoned veteran, was calm and undisturbed, but there was a noticeable tension among most of the other players. Don sat on the rough bench and waited for the signal to warm up. Presently the Glenrock players arrived.
In spite of himself, he was beginning to resent the catcher's air of superiority. He admitted that he was lucky to have escaped during that first inning. But he was not so lucky in the innings that followed. Two runs were scored by Glenrock in the third, one in the fifth, two in the seventh, and one in the eighth. Five runs was all that Chester could gather.
You don't see me getting rattled." "You don't have to serve the ball," said Don. "No," said Tim; "but I'm the fellow who has to decide what balls they get. I guess that's some responsibility. You pitch the way I tell you to and we'll be all right." Glenrock was still practicing in the field. Don sat on the bench and watched. They handled the ball well, but not any better than Chester.
"That's turning them back," shouted Ted Carter. "Get this fellow, Don." Don "got" him on an in-curve that was hit for a puny infield pop. Glenrock was out. She had had her first inning and had not scored. Ted came running in to the bench, calling instructions to Chester's first hitter. Don drew on a sweater and sat down. "Well," said Ted, "they aren't giant-killers, are they?"
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