Jack was properly introduced to Dolph Jones――a ceremony he considered rather unnecessary, since he and Dolph in the rôles of candidate and captain had already spoken to each other on the baseball diamond more than once――and then sat comfortable and silent in one of the big leather cushioned chairs while Dolph and Ted and Sam drew up around the light and discussed the matter of the batting order for Saturday’s game. Both Dolph and Ted were seniors, and, save in the matter of complexion, looked to Jack very much alike. Later, however, he realized that the resemblance was due more to the fact that they were each of the same type than to any real likeness of feature. Dolph was seventeen and Ted Warner eighteen, but there was scarcely a fraction of an inch difference in heights, and each was tall, well-built and lean, with the leanness of the boy who keeps himself in perfect physical condition. Dolph was dark of hair and eyes, while Ted was decidedly light, his hair being pale brown and his eyes something between blue and gray. On the nine Dolph, who was captain, caught, and Ted played first base.
“Here’s the way; I had it fixed up,” Dolph was saying, referring as he spoke to a paper in his hand. “Truesdale, Jones, Grady, Warner, Cook, Smythe, Cassart, Watkins and Phillips. What do you think?”
“I’d have Harry Smythe bat first,” said Sam. “He’s a heap better on the bases than Truesdale.”
“He’s faster,” said Ted, “but he takes risks at the wrong times. Truesdale can draw a pass three times out of five, too. Then, with Dolph up next he’s pretty sure of second on a sacrifice.”
“All right,” agreed Sam. “I see, though, you’ve got Cook down for left field. Why don’t you give Jack here a chance? He’s every bit as good as Cook.”
Dolph glanced at Jack and hesitated. Ted smiled, and then went to the rescue.
“Cook’s had more experience, Sammy, and in a Boarders and Towners game it’s a good idea to play fellows who have been through it before. You see, Borden,” he added, turning to Jack, “everything goes in these games, and it isn’t so much science that wins as it is keeping your head. When you go to bat you’ll have thirty or forty idiots standing around and yelling like Indians and doing everything they can to rattle you. Still, Dolph, you might put Borden in for part of the game. I dare say it’s a good experience for a fellow. If Borden can get through a Towner game without getting rattled he can stand anything.”