“I’ve seen you run bases quite a bit,” said Mr. Gifford drily. “You wouldn’t want to play second?” asked Sam. Steve looked alarmed. “Great Scott, no!” “All right. Only I’d like mighty well to have a chap on second who could handle throws from the plate. Ed Thursby’s a good fielder, but he’s weak at covering the bag on a steal.” “Why don’t you try it, Steve?” asked Mr. Gifford. “We’ve got a dozen fellows who can play in the outfield.” “Well, if you like,” replied the other doubtfully. “Maybe I can get the hang of it after a few days.” “Good. Now, first baseman: Sawyer?” “I suppose so,” agreed Sam. “Rot!” said Steve. “Murdock can play all around Sawyer.” It was Mr. Gifford’s turn to look doubtful. “He’s pretty good, but it seems to me Sawyer is steadier.” “Look here,” said Sam. “Seems to me we’re going at this thing all wrong. What we ought to do is to pick out three or four fellows for each position and give them all a fair try. There’s no need of selecting the final team until, say, next Tuesday. By that time the fellows will have shown what they can do.” “That’s so,” agreed Steve. “Why not make up two teams, Andy? A First and a Second, you know. Pick out those we think are the best for the First, and then if any of the Second team fellows show up better we can swap them over.” “That sounds reasonable. Come on, then. First Team: Porter, pitcher; Craig, catcher; Murdock, first baseman. Second Team: Gifford, pitcher; Benson, catcher; Sawyer, first baseman. How’s that?” “All right. Now let’s go on with the First. Steve will play second. For shortstop there’s either Fairchild or Charrit. I guess Charrit has the call. That puts Fairchild on the Second. For third?” “Your man is better than mine there,” said Mr. Gifford. “Don’t you say so, Steve?” “Yes, Jones ought to have it, unless you put Crossbush there. He plays pretty well at first and might do better at third.” “We’ll put him down for the Second,” said Mr. Gifford. “For that matter, fellows, there’s Thursby. He’s going to get left out of the game unless we put him in the outfield. We’ve got to consider batting ability as well as fielding, haven’t we?” “That’s so,” Steve agreed. “Better put Thursby down on the Second and let Crossbush substitute. We’ve got to fix it so we can give them all a fair trial. It’s not going to be so easy.” “First Team outfield, now. Peterson? Meldrum? And how about Codman? He’s a bit young.” “We ought to get hitters in the outfield,” suggested Sam. “Codman isn’t much of a batter, is he, Andy?” “No, he isn’t. How about that centre fielder of yours, Steve? Wonson, isn’t it?” “Jack Wonson, yes. He’s only fair, though. Joe Groom is a good hand with the stick. Why not put him in the outfield?” “Might try him. That makes it Peterson, Meldrum, and Groom for the First. For the Second----” “Codman,” suggested Sam, “and Simpson.” “And Wonson?” asked Mr. Gifford. “Give him a try,” agreed Steve.