"Yes, I have," answered the man. "Baseball is pretty big in Shadowland. You see, we have a large population here of old baseball players and baseball fans. It's the biggest thing we all have in common, so we tend to congregate together. As a matter of fact, we not only have games between ourselves, but we invite teams in the United States to visit when the players are in restitude. We have a wonderful time together. Of course, the visiting players don't usually bring back the memory of the games when they awaken in the morning--Well, maybe some fragmented dreams--but that doesn't detract from the game or the great fun we have. Those young whippersnappers think they'll show us old timers a thing or two, but boy, do they get a run for their money!" "Might I inquire as to your name?" questioned Tweaty, rather timidly. "Why yes," came the simple reply. "My name is Richard Marquard. Please, just call me _Rube_." "Sounds like a backwoodsy hillbilly name to me," said Elephant, intending his words to sound like friendly teasing. "Ha ha!" laughed Rube, equally friendly. "My nickname being what it is, you probably automatically assume that I must have been a country boy. That's what most people figure. But it's not so. Fact is, my father was the Chief Engineer of the City of Cleveland, and that is where I was born and reared." "Okay," said Elephant. "So then, why is it that you are called _Rube_?" "Well, it's a long story," answered the ball player's shadow. "Then we had better not take the time to hear it all now," said Hootsey. "We have a very important mission to fulfill." "Yes," agreed Lisa. "But perhaps Mr. Rube could help us. I think we should bring him along." "A grand idea!" exclaimed Ozma. "Mr. Marquard, would you be so kind as to join us on our mission? I would like to hear your story, and then will be happy to tell you ours." [Illustration: "_My name is Richard Marquard. Please just call me Rube."_] "If I had been asked to join an undefined questing party by any other than the Queen of all Oz, I might have hesitated," came the reply. "But as it is from you, I will come along." "Splendid!" said Elephant. "Then let us be off!" Rube was lifted atop the Forest Monster, as were Elephant and the others, and from this high podium Rube began his unique tale. "It all started with my father," he explained. "Like I say, he was the Chief Engineer of the city of Cleveland. As far as he was concerned, the only important thing was for me to get a good education. But as far back as I can remember, all I could think of, morning, noon and night, was baseball. "'Now listen,' Dad would say. 'I want you to cut this out and pay attention to your studies. I want you to go to college when you're through high school, and I don't want any foolishness about it. Without an education, you won't be able to get a good job, and then you'll _never_ amount to anything.' "'I already have a job,' I'd say. "'You've got a job? What are you talking about?'