The practice came to an end. The preliminaries were arranged, and, with the privilege of the home team coming last to the bat, Randall went in the initial inning. The two teams were made up as follows:
Sid Henderson, _second base_. William Housenlager, _catcher_. Phil Clinton, _first base_. Tom Parsons, _pitcher_. Dan Woodhouse, _third base_. Jerry Jackson, _right field_. Bob Molloy, _shortstop_. Joe Jackson, _left field_. Holman Cross, _center field_.
Lynn Ralling, _second base_. Hugh McGherity, _right field_. Roy Conklin, _left field_. Arthur Flood, _center field_. George Stoddard, _catcher_. Pinkerton Davenport, _first base_. Fred Langridge, _pitcher_. Bert Hutchin, _third base_. Sam Burton, _shortstop_.
"Now, Sid, show 'em what you can do," advised Mr. Leighton, as Sid selected a bat, and walked up to the plate. He faced Langridge, and noted the grim and almost angry look in the eyes of the former pitcher on the Randall 'varsity.
"Make him give you a nice one," called Bean Perkins, who was ready to shout for victory.
A ball came whizzing toward Sid, and so sure was he that he was going to be hit that he dodged back, but he was surprised when it neatly curved out, went over the plate, and the umpire called:
There was a howl of protest on the part of the Randall sympathizers, but it died away when Mr. Leighton held up a warning hand.
Sid struck viciously at the next ball, and felt a thrill of joy as he felt the impact, but, as he rushed away toward first he heard the umpire's call of "Foul; strike!" and he came back.
"Wait for a good one," counseled Phil, in a low voice. "Make him give you a pretty one."
Langridge sent in another swift curve and Sid struck at it. Another foul resulted, and he began to wonder what he was up against. The next attempt was a ball, for Langridge threw away out, but Sid saw coming a moment later, what he thought would make at least a pretty one-bagger. He swung viciously at it, but missed it clean, and walked to the bench somewhat chagrined.
Dutch Housenlager, with a smile of confidence, walked up next. He was cool, and Langridge, having struck out Sid, seemed to lose some of his anger. He delivered a good ball--an in-shoot--and Dutch caught it on the end of his bat. It seemed to promise well, but Roy Conklin, out on left field was right under it, and Dutch ingloriously came back from first.