the Young Pitcher (1992) by Zane Grey Page B

their playing, which is poor indeed, but for the way they tried under peculiarly adverse conditions.
    That young fellow Ward what torture that inning of successive hard hits to his territory! I was near him in that end of the bleachers, and I watched him closely. Every attempt he made was a failure that is, failure from the point of view of properly fielding the ball. But, gentlemen, that day was not a failure for young Ward. It was a grand success. Some one said his playing was the poorest exhibition ever seen on Grant Field. That may be. I want to say that to my mind it was also the most splendid effort ever made on Grant Field. For it was made against defeat, fear, ridicule. It was elimination of self. It was made for his coach, his fellow-players, his college that is to say, for the students who shamed themselves by scorn for his trial.
    Young men of Wayne, give us a little more of such college spirit!
    New Players When practice time rolled around for Ken next day, he went upon the field once more with his hopes renewed and bright.
    I certainly do die hard, he laughed to himself. But I can never go down and out now never!
    Something seemed to ring in Ken's ears like peals of bells. In spite of his awkwardness Coach Arthurs had made him a varsity man; in spite of his unpreparedness old Crab had given him a passing mark; in spite of his unworthiness President Halstead had made him famous.
    I surely am the lucky one, said Ken, for the hundredth time. And now I'm going to force my luck. Ken had lately revolved in his mind a persistent idea that he meant to propound to the coach.
    Ken arrived on the field a little later than usual, to find Arthurs for once minus his worried look. He was actually smiling, and Ken soon saw the reason for this remarkable change was the presence of a new player out in centre field.
    Hello, Peg! things are lookin' up, said the coach, beaming. That's Homans out there in centre Roy Homans, a senior and a crackerjack ball-player. I tried to get him to come out for the team last year, but he wouldn't spare the time. But he's goin' to play this season said the president's little talk got him. He's a fast, heady, scientific player, just the one to steady you kids.
    Before Ken could reply his attention was attracted from Homans to another new player in uniform now walking up to Arthurs. He was tall, graceful, powerful, had red hair, keen dark eyes, a clean-cut profile and square jaw.
    I've come out to try for the team, he said, quietly, to the coach.
    You're a little late, ain't you? asked Worry, gruffly; but he ran a shrewd glance over the lithe form.
    Yes.
    Must have been stirred up by that talk of President Halstead's, wasn't you?
    Yes. There was something quiet and easy about the stranger, and Ken liked him at once.
    Where do you play? went on Worry.
    Left.
    Can you hit? Talk sense now, and mebbe you'll save me work. Can you hit?
    Yes.
    Can you throw?
    Yes. He spoke with quiet assurance.
    Can you run? almost shouted Worry. He was nervous and irritable those days, and it annoyed him for unknown youths to speak calmly of such things.
    Run? Yes, a little. I did the hundred last year in nine and four-fifths.
    What! You can't kid me! Who are you? cried Worry, getting red in the face. I've seen you somewhere.
    My name's Ray.
    Say! Not Ray, the intercollegiate champion?
    I'm the fellow. I talked it over with Murray. He kicked, but I didn't mind that. I promised to try to keep in shape to win the sprints at the intercollegiate meet.
    Say! Get out there in left field! Quick! shouted Worry.... Peg, hit him some flies. Lam 'em a mile! That fellow's a sprinter, Peg. What luck it would be if he can play ball! Hit 'em at him!
    Ken took the ball Worry tossed him, and, picking up a bat, began to knock flies out to Ray. The first few he made easy for the outfielder, and then he hit balls harder and off to the right or left. Without appearing to exert himself Ray got under them. Ken watched him, and also kept the tail