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Show The Saga of South High By Glen Crookston Then sun was shining brightly, the sky was cloudless blue. The score was six to nothing, the game was nearly through. South's team was fielding lousy, the pitching wild as hell. The hitting, what there was of it, had a sickly smell. The team came slowly off the field with the look of beaten men. They sat there looking straight ahead, while Gilbert's eyes were growing red. Then Gilbert swore for hours and hours, tore up trees, shrubs, and flowers. The grass turned brown for miles around where Gilbert's cuss . words hit the ground. The words he used were not meant to be wrote, and the old boy damn near took a stroke. But his words had their marked effects, the team knew they better win, or he'd break their necks. The first man up, we all knew well, a handsome cuss and smart as hell. He hit the ball a mighty blow, ran past first and slid in low. With Sook on second and nobody out, we had started a rally, without any doubt. Then came Powers, South's mighty mite, he cut at a fast one and hit it just right. The crowd gave a roar, then grew tense, as the ball dropped over the fense. In the stands, they yelled their wild acclaim, at six to two, South High was back in the game. Then up came Jack Bale, called Speedy by all, now it was his turn to hit the ball. The ball came in as if shot from a gun, crash went the bat, and for first base he run. Coming out with a strut that could be seen for a mile, Captain Dalebout, turned and gave the crowd a big smile, and without a doubt the best second baseman in town. Dutch knew now was the time to do his best, he hit a high hard one, you know the rest. Jake safe on third with another run scored, the other coach must have thought, it never rains but what it pours. Then in the stands- there arose a twitter, as on the field strolled South's heavy hitter. The girls in the stand sighed and said, "Oh my, what do you have to do to meet that guy?" With Gabby at bat, the fielders, played back, and the poor third baseman looked for a place to hide. Brewer looked calm and cool as could be, hit the damn ball as far as the eye could see. But with a lucky stop and a good throw in, they held him two and the other coach looked at his pitcher and said, "After that, my boy you're through." Now up to bat, stepped catcher, Bob Story, here was a chance to get him some glory. Bob was a good looking lad, plays ball best, when he gets mad. He hit a long home run, that was second to none, came in himself and drove in a run. Gilbert said, "The teams' pride and joy." and up in the stands a voice hollered, "That's my boy." Hoodie played shortstop, did a bang up job, when at bat, he hit after Bob. He was tall, dark, and handsome, had two wrists just like Sampson's. Now this Thomas was a mean little runt, he crossed them all up by hitting a bunt. The pitcher went mad, tore out his hair, told the umpire, "That ain't fair." Then the infield shrank back in fear, they were afraid their time was near. For up stepped big Lyle, his bat held high, watched strike one go roaring by. Koller spit on his hands, wiped off his chin, he knew South High was in the game to win.. The ball he drove through the pitcher's box went by the second baseman down around the socks. The score was tied at six all, the winning run on base, if the pitcher could hold them now, it would help to save his face. Then swinging two bats, his head held high, waving at the girls as he walked by, Came in a pitcher of great fame, and here was a chance to win the game. The pitcher threw a high one in, and he took a strike across the chin. He got strike two just above his shoe, and then took strike three, across his knee. The crowd roared for they knew without a doubt, the mighty Kent Peterson had just struck out! |