Ben Tozier sent the coin spinning skyward. When it turned to
fall Hi called out:

"Tails."

"Heads win," declared Umpire Tozier.

"Captain Martin, have you any choice?" inquired Prescott politely.

"I didn't win the toss," Hi returned sulkily.

"But we'll give you your choice if you have any," Dick insisted.

"We'd rather go to bat," Hi observed.

"Then, Mr. Umpire," continued Dick, turning to Tozier, "the Centrals
choose the field."

"Get to your places," nodded Ben. "Martin at bat; Percival on
deck," called the score-keeper.

Dick ran down to the pitcher's box, while Greg, slipping on mask
and glove, took up his position behind the plate.

Tozier carelessly broke the seal on the package enclosing a ball,
inspected it, and dropped it into Dick's hands. Dick threw an
overshoot to Greg, who mitted it neatly.

But Ted Teall could not let the occasion go by without some nonsense.