“Ball one,” called the umpire as the first ball released by Mellen sank into Roger’s big mitt, and the crowd settled itself temporarily to watch the big battle. Mellen had sent up a wide one just for a feeler and Johnny let it go by. The second ball cut the plate in the middle, but Johnny never made a move. “Strike one,” said the umpire. Everson struck at the next one only to foul it off over the stand and it was two strikes and one ball. Mellen quickly sent up a good one guessing that Johnny would be looking for a ball, but Everson saw it was going to be good and took a hard swing at it and met it squarely, knocking a very fast grounder over second base which looked good, but La Joy of Jefferson hurried over, made a very graceful reach with his right hand, and turning, threw, without looking, straight to Church, and Johnny was out by a foot. One out. The crowd sat up, for it was a hard ball to field, although Larry made it look easy. Larke was the second man up. He fouled off the first two balls offered to him, let one pass for a “ball,” and as the next one seemed to be coming where he liked it, swung hard at it and missed. “Out,” said the umpire and Talkington trotted up to the plate. He hit the first ball pitched far out to right field but Mellen had motioned the fielders to play back and the ball went straight into Twitchell’s hands for the third out. The sides now changed places amid the cheers of the crowd, for the game promised to be particularly interesting. Laird, the first man up, after missing one, hit a pop foul over by the Jefferson bench which Delvin caught after a quick run. Beach drove a hot grounder to Delvin, who made a fine stop and throw to Case and there were two out. Captain Church of Jefferson was next up. Miner sent one of his fast inshoots to cut the inside corner of the plate, but it was a little wide and as Church couldn’t get out of the way, the ball grazed his shirt and Church got his base. Hollins was next at bat, but Gibbie got the idea that Church would try to steal second right away, so he motioned Miner to send up a fast wide one. Church tried it but was caught a dozen feet off the bag by Gibbie’s perfect throw to Everson. In the second inning Robb was first up. He struck hard at the first ball pitched, and missed. Then he bunted the next ball, but it rolled straight to Mellen and he was an easy out, Mellen to Church.