A good deal of laughter came from the sides of the gym.
"Myself!" shouted Luce, just as one of the players received the ball.

The young man with the ball looked puzzled for an instant.
Then, when too late to count, the young man understood and drove the ball for the coach.
"Not quick enough on judgment," admonished Mr.Luce.

"Now, we'll take another look at the style of an ambitious pitcher or two.
Ripley, suppose you try ?" Fred started and colored.

Next, he looked pleased with himself as he strode jauntily forward.
"May I ask for my own catcher, sir ?" Fred asked.
"Yes; certainly," nodded the coach.
"Rip must have something big up his sleeve, if any old dub of a catcher won't do," jeered some one at the back of the crowd.
"Attention! Rip, the ladylike twirler!" sang out another teasing student.
"Let her rip, Rip!" A good many were laughing.

Fred was not popular.