ng, smooth, lithe and
active "Indian" muscle, built more for endurance than for great
strength, was the ideal of Coach Luce.

After the jogging came a halt for rest. Luce now addressed them.

"Young gentlemen, I know, well enough, that, while all this work
is good for you, you're all of you anxious to see the production
of the regular League ball on this floor. Now, the baseball cage
will not be put up for a few days yet. However, this afternoon,
for the rest of our tour, I'm going to produce the ball!"

A joyous "hurrah!" went up from the squad. The ball was the real
thing in their eyes.

Coach Luce turned away to one of the spacious cupboard lockers,
returning with a ball, still in the sealed package, and a bat
with well wrapped handle.

"I'll handle the bat," announced Mr. Luce, smiling. "It's just
barely possible that I, can drive a good liner straighter than
some of you, and put it nearer where I want it. Until the cage
is in place, I don't like to risk smashing any of the gymnasium
windows. Now, which one of you pitchers is ambitious to do something?"

Naturally, all of them were. Yet none liked to appear too forward
or greedy, so silence followed.

"I'll try you modest young men out on my own lines, then," laughed
the coach. Calling to one of the juniors to stand behind him
as catcher, Luce continued:

"Darrin, as you're a candidate for pitcher, show us some of the
things you can do to fool a batsman."

Dave took his post, his face a bit red. He handled the ball for
a few moments, rather nervously.

"Don't get rattled, lad," counseled the coach. "Remember, this
is just fun. Bear in mind that you're aiming to send the ball
in to the catcher. Don't let the ball drive through a window
by mistake."

A laugh went up at this. Dave, instead of losing his nerve, flashed
back at the squad, then steadied himself.

"Now, then, let her drive---not too hard," ordered Mr. Luce.

Dave let go with what he thought was an outcurve. It didn't fool
the coach. He deliberately struck the ball, sending it rolling
along the floor as a grounder.

"A little more twist to the wrist, Darrin," counseled the coach,
after a scout from the squad had picked up the ball and sent it
to this budding pitcher.

Dave's next delivery was struck down as easily. Then Darrin began
to grow a bit angry and much more determined.

"Don't feel put out, Darrin," counseled the coach. "I had the
batting record of my colleg