The umpire inspected a new ball, then sent it grounding to Teall.
Back and forth between the members of the South Grammar battery
the ball passed three times.

"Play ball!" called the umpire sharply.

Tom Reade already stood by the plate. He swung his stick idly,
watching Teall. Along came the ball. Tom judged it and hit at it.

"Strike one!" called Tozier, shifting a pebble to his left hand.

Ted grinned derisively as he twisted the leather for the next
throw.

"Ball one!" and a bean followed the pebble into the umpire's left
hand.

"Strike two! Ball two! Ball three!"

Ted Teall began to feel angry over the growing pile of called
balls. He delivered one with great care.

Whack! Tom never waited to see whether the ball was headed inside
or outside of foul lines. He simply dropped his willow, then
gave his best exhibition of the sprinting that he had learned
in the spring.

It was a fair ball that struck inside of left field. South's
left fielder had to run in for the leather, which struck the ground,