“If we can stick to it with the right spirit we’ll stand a show of winning. It’s spirit that tells, boys. I want you to get into the mood. Keep on your toes every instant. No matter where you’re playing, keep alert and wide-awake. The outfielders need to be just as watchful and alert as the infielders. Seconds count in getting after the ball. The player who starts at the crack of the bat gains time. I know you want to win. If we should carry off this game we would be tied with one of the other teams for first place. “From this day to the finish of the season it’s going to be a fierce old struggle. Every game won counts heavily for final success. Every game lost will be a millstone to drag down the defeated team. Throughout all the yelling and howling of these hoodlums, don’t forget that we’ve friends here. The summer people are with us, but it’s not likely they’ll make enough noise to be heard while the toughs are whooping it up. Now, fellows, let’s get after that pitcher at the start. A good start counts, and we may worry Raymer if we connect with his delivery at the outset.” During this talk Merriwell’s players seemed to feel the spirit of undying determination that he possessed. As his eyes turned from one to another, it seemed that he poured out upon them a little of his own spirit, and when the game began every one of them was filled with it. The batting order of both teams follows: FAIRHAVENS. MAPLEWOOD. Gardner, rf. Mole, cf. Bold, p. Hunston, 1st b. Bradley, 3d b. Connor, ss. Buckhart, c. Halligan, lf. Merriwell, ss. Lumley, 3d b. Jolliby, cf. Dillard, 2d b. Singleton, 1st b. Farrell, rf. Tubbs, 2d b. Garvin, c. Smart, rf. Raymer, p. Gardner walked out with a springy step and took his position at the plate. Raymer whistled over a swift one, and Earl promptly drove it far into left field. As the ball bounded past the fielder, who was running after it, it seemed certain that Gardner would make three bases, and there was a possibility of his circling the diamond and scoring. Some of those who watched the ball bound away to the fence were surprised to see Halligan pause in his pursuit of it, stoop quickly, and pick something up. Then the fellow turned and threw a ball to Connor, who had run out a little toward left field. “How did that happen?” exclaimed William Drake. “That’s not the ball!” Connor snapped the ball he had received to Dillard at second, and Gardner’s run was checked there. “Wait a minute, Mr. Umpire!” cried Dick, starting out onto the diamond. “That’s not the ball in play! That’s not the ball Gardner hit!”