“A foul tip occurs when a batter strikes at a ball and almost misses it. The ball just touches the rounded side of the bat, and of course changes its direction. It does this so quickly that the catcher sometimes can’t see it and it might hit him on the head,” replied Hal. “I see,” said Parker. This was during practice before the game. “What’s the idea of the game anyhow?” asked Parker next. “Well,” began Hal, looking at Parker to see if he was serious or joking. Parker was serious. “There are nine men on each side. One side goes out in the field and the other side is at bat. When there are three out they----” “I thought you said nine were out,” broke in Parker. “No, there are only three put out. I guess you were thinking about what I said that one team of nine players takes position in the field to catch the ball.” “Does it take nine men to catch a ball?” asked Parker. “No, only one,” said Hal, “but they have a man in each of the locations where the ball is likely to be hit.” The people in the seats in front turned around to look at Parker to see who it might be. They wanted to see what a fellow looked like who was as ignorant of the great American game as he seemed to be. Just then the game began, the umpire said “play ball,” and after Hal had told him that the umpire was the judge of play, Hal and Parker directed their attention to the diamond. Presently the pitcher threw the ball. Ross was at bat. It was a ball and Ross didn’t strike at it. [Illustration: “The people in the stands turned around to see who it might be.”] “Why didn’t he hit it?” asked Parker. “It wasn’t the right kind of a ball to strike at,” replied Hal. “Do they use different kinds of balls?” asked Parker. “No, they use the same ball all the time.” Hal saw that he would have to explain about balls and strikes. “You see, a batter can get four balls or three strikes. If he gets four balls he runs to the base. If he gets three strikes he’s out.” “Why don’t he always take the four balls?” “Well, you see the pitcher fools him.” “How?” “The pitcher tries to make the batter think balls are strikes and strikes are balls.” “Doesn’t the batter know the difference?” “Not until the umpire tells what it is. Sometimes even the pitcher doesn’t know if it is a ball or strike until the umpire says what it is,” explained Hal. He was thinking of the many times umpires have called balls when the pitchers thought they were over the plate. “Then what’s the use of having a batter?” asked Parker, bringing his logic into play. “Why don’t the batters stand up in line behind the umpire and let him tell each one in his turn if it’s a ball or a strike?” Before he could answer, however, Ross had hit the next ball. The umpire called “foul ball” and the Chadwick shortstop, third baseman, and catcher were all running to make the catch as it was a high foul over toward the third base stands. “What are they all running for?” asked Parker. “To catch the ball,” answered Hal.