"Play ball!" shouted Fatty, and they all took their places, Dicky's
team in the field, and Fatty's at the bat.

Marmaduke had to stand way out, and he didn't have much to do for a
while, for the other team either struck out, or hit the ball towards
Dicky, the pitcher, or Skinny at 'first.' Once a ball did come his way
"Hold it!" shouted Dicky, but Marmaduke was so excited that he threw
himself right at it, and the ball rolled between his legs.

"Aw! didn't I tell you?" said Dicky in disgust, and all on the other
team shouted:

"Butterfingers!"

And, as every boy in the world knows, it is a great disgrace to be
called "Butterfingers."

When the first inning was over the score stood six to five, and
Fatty's team was ahead.

In the next inning the ball never once came towards Marmaduke, way out
there in the field. All he could do was to watch the other boys catch
the "pop-flies," stop the grounders, or run back and forth between
first base and home. It was hard, too, when Marmaduke wanted so much
to be in the thick of it.

Before long the score stood seventeen to fifteen, still in favor of
Fatty's team. At last they were put out, and it was Marmaduke's turn
to bat. If he could only knock a home run it would bring Skinny in and
tie the score.