CHAPTER XIV
BAD NEWS
Grounds that were soggy and wet, and a dreary drizzle of rain, preventeda game next day, and there was much disappointment. Weather reports wereeagerly scanned, and the skies looked at more than once.
"I think it'll clear to-morrow," remarked Joe to Charlie Hall.
"I sure hope so. I want to see what sort of meat these Newkirk fellowsare made of since we played against 'em last."
"Oh, they're husky enough, as we found, Charlie," for there had beenseveral league games between this team and the Pittston nine, but in thelatter town. Now the tables might be turned.
"They've got some new players," went on Charlie, "and a pitcher who'ssaid to be a marvel."
"Well, you've got me," laughed Joe, in simulated pride.
"That's right, old man, and I'm glad of it. I think you're going topull us to the top in this pennant race."
"Oh, I haven't such a swelled head as to think that," spoke Joe, "butI'm going to work hard--I guess we all are. But what does it look likefor Clevefield to-day? You know she's got to lose and we've got to winto put us on top."
"I know. There wasn't any report of rain there, so the game must begoing on. We ought to get results soon. Come on over to the ticker."
It was after luncheon, and the game in Clevefield, with the Washburgnine, would soon start. Then telegraphic reports of the contest that, ina way, meant so much for Pittston would begin coming in.
After the delightful dinner Joe had had with Mabel his pleasure wasfurther added to when he went with her to the theatre. Reggie telephonedthat he could not get back in time, and asked Joe to take his sister,she having the tickets.
Of course the young pitcher was delighted, but he could not get over theuneasy feeling that young Varley was suspicious of him.
"Hang it all!" exclaimed Joe, mentally. "I've just got to get that outof his mind! But how? Only by finding his watch or Mabel's jewelry, andI suppose I might as well look for a needle in a haystack."
Joe sat in the hotel corridor, looking over a newspaper, and waitingfor some news of the Clevefield game, as many of his team were doing. Anitem caught the eye of the young pitcher that caused him to start. Itwas to the effect that the unfortunate Pop Dutton had been arrested forcreating a scene at a ball park.
"Poor old man!" mused Joe. "I wish I could do something for him. I feelsort of responsible for him, since I saved his life. I wonder if hecouldn't be straightened up? I must have another talk with Gregory abouthim."
A yell from some of the players gathered about the news ticker in thesmoking room brought Joe to his feet.
"What is it?" he called to Charlie Hall.
"Washburg got three runs the first inning and Clevefield none!" was theanswer. "It looks as if Washburg would have a walk-over. And you knowwhat that means for us."
"Yes, if we win to-morrow."
"Win! Of course we'll win, you old bone-head!" cried Charlie, clappingJoe affectionately on the back.
Further news from the game was eagerly awaited and when the last inninghad been ticked off, and Washburg had won by a margin of three runs, thePittston team was delighted.
Not at the downfall of fellow players, understand, but because it gavePittston the coveted chance to be at the top of the first division.
"Boys, we've just got to win that game to-morrow!" cried Gregory.
"If they don't I'll make them live on bread and water for a week!" criedTrainer McGuire, with a twinkle in his blue eyes.
The second day following proved all that could be desired from a weatherstandpoint for a ball game, the grounds having dried up meanwhile. Itwas bright and sunny, but not too warm, and soon after breakfast theteam was ordered out on the field for light practice.
This was necessary as their day of comparative idleness, added to thedamp character of the weather, had made them all a little stiff.
"Get limbered up, boys," advised Jimmie Mack. "You'll need all the speedand power you can bring along to-day. Joe, how's your arm?"
"All right, I guess," answered the young pitcher.
"Well, do some light practice. Come on. I'll catch for you a while."
There had been some slight changes made in the Newkirk grounds sincelast season, and Gregory wanted his players to familiarize themselveswith the new layout. Joe was delighted with the diamond. Though Newkirkwas a smaller city than Pittston the ball field was kept in bettershape.
"Of course it isn't the Polo Grounds," Joe confided to Charlie Hall,"but they're pretty good."
"I wonder if I'll ever get a chance to play on the Polo Grounds?"murmured Charlie, half enviously. "It must be great!"
"It is!" cried Joe, with memories of the Yale-Princeton contest he hadtaken part in there. "And I'm going to do it again, some time!"
"You are?"
"I sure am. I'm going to break into a big league if it's possible."
"Good for you, Joe!"
"Still, the grounds aren't everything, Charlie," went on Joe. "We've gotto play the best ball to win the game."
"And we'll do it, too! Don't worry."
The practice was worked up to a fast and snappy point, and then Gregorysent his men for a brisk walk, to be followed by a shower bath inpreparation for the afternoon contest.
Certainly when the Pittston team started for the grounds again they werea bright, clean-looking lot of players. Joe was wondering whether hewould have a chance to pitch, but, following his usual policy, thecrafty manager did not announce his battery until the last moment.
There was a big crowd out to see the game, for the rivalry in theCentral League was now intense, and interest was well keyed up. Joe hadseen Mabel and her brother start for the grounds, and he wished, morethan ever before, perhaps, that he would be sent to the mound to dobattle for his team.
The Newkirk men were out on the diamond when the Pittston playersarrived, and, after an interval the latter team was given a chance towarm up. Joe and the other pitchers began their usual practice, and Joefelt that he could do himself justice if he could but get a chance.
There was silence as the batteries were announced, and Joe could nothelp feeling a keen disappointment as Tooley, the south-paw, was namedto open the contest.
"There's a lot of queer batters on the Newkirks," Joe heard Bob Newton,the right fielder, say to Terry Hanson, who played left. "I guess that'sthe reason the old man wants Tooley to feel them out."
"I reckon."
"Play ball!" droned the umpire as the gong clanged, and George Lee, thesecond baseman, who was first at bat, strolled out to pick up his club.
The first part of the game was rather a surprise to the Pittstonplayers. Lee was struck out with amazing ease, and even Jimmie Mack,who had the best batting average of any on the team, "fell" for adelusive "fade-away" ball.
"But I've got his number!" he exclaimed, as he nodded at the opposingpitcher. "He won't get me again."
Pittston did not get a run, though she had three men on bases when thelast one went down, and it looked as though her chances were good.
Then came more disappointment when Tooley failed to get his batters, andNewkirk had two runs chalked up to her credit. The second inning wasalmost like the first and then at the proper time, Gregory, with adecisive gesture, signalled to Joe.
"You'll have to pitch us out of this hole!" he said, grimly. Collin, whohad said openly that he expected to be called on, looked blackly at ourhero.
As Joe started to take his place a messenger boy handed him a telegram.He was a little startled at first, and then laughed at his fears.
"Probably good wishes from home," he murmured, as he tore open theenvelope. And then the bright day seemed to go black as he read:
"Your father hurt in explosion. No danger of death, but may lose eyesight. If you can come home do so. MOTHER."