“I’ve handled this team for four years, fellows, and I’ve always enjoyed it, always taken pride in it, always felt a mighty lot of satisfaction, when the season was done, over my part in the victory or the defeat that came to us. Because you mustn’t think, any of you, that there isn’t honor in defeat. The team that plays cleanly, gallantly, fights its hardest when Luck turns its back, is downed and won’t stay downed, wins honor indeed. Well, now, here we are. Twenty of us. ‘Mr. Babcock’s Team,’ the ‘Second’ or the ‘Scrub.’ Call yourself what you like. It doesn’t make much difference what we’re called or what we call ourselves, so long as we do what’s expected of us with all our might. So let’s get together, fellows, and show Wyndham the finest, fightingest Second Team it has ever seen! Remember this, too. You’re not only helping to win the Wolcott game this year, you’re training yourself for next year. You Second Team fellows will be First Team fellows next fall. Most of you, anyhow. It isn’t unlikely that one or two of you will get to the big team this season. Just show Mr. Otis that you’ve got something the First Team needs, and you won’t stay here long! “Just so that it won’t be all work and no play, I’ve arranged three outside games for you. We’ll play Freeburg High School a week from next Saturday, Minster High School on November third, and the Wolcott Second Team on November tenth. We could have more games if we were permitted to play away from home. But we aren’t, and I think three will be enough, anyhow. So now you know what’s ahead of you, Scrub. A lot of steady, grinding work, a little play, and virtue more or less its own reward. Who’s for it?” It was evident that all were. A shout went up from twenty throats that carried as far as the diamond and aroused interest and conjecture there. Having joined his voice with the others, Clif turned and looked rather pityingly toward the First Team field. Those poor chaps over there didn’t realize what they were missing! Mr. Babcock was speaking again. He was on his feet now, and in response to the suggestion of his movement the fellows were leaving the seats. “We’ll have the first scrimmage with the other gang about Friday. That gives us four days to get ready. I’d suggest that before the Freeburg game you elect a captain. But don’t do it just yet. Wait until you’ve played together awhile. Until you choose a leader for yourself you’ll need some one in authority, though, and so I’ll appoint Henning temporary captain.” “Cheer for Captain Clem!” laughed some one.