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Show '" """ " An American League umpire r j c nmed Jack Kerns had a phobia ,' against calling games. No matter j how dark it got, Kerns felt that a t:? " I ball game was nine innings or , ;( I more. One day when Kerns refused :ti 1 to call a game, the pitcher in des- f -' peration huddled with his catcher ( and whispered, "Listen, you keep , the ball in your mitt. I'll wind up 11 and pretend to throw it. You pop J it into your glove as though you'd f caught it." ' There were two strikes on the 1 batter. The pitcher went through I his motions the catcher popped his F mitt. "Strike three and out!" bel- j -' lowed Kerns. ; ' "Strike?" screamed the batter. ! ('' ! "Why that ball was two feet outside!" out-side!" 1 a;j i h |