Rock Springs High School - Sagebrusher Yearbook (Rock Springs, WY)

Page 32 text:

L ITE RARY Rock Springs vs. Alliance itI don,t care, fellows, you can say what you want, but there,s some mighty good baseball stuff in those Freshies. Here we are, making all sorts of fun of Shuster just because his manners arenit polished and he happens to be a little overgrown. But PH tell you, he could put a ball over the fence even if the best High School pitcher in Wyoming were in the box. Iive seen him play, and with a little practice why boys, hetd even put Max in the shade. This speech was unusually long for Captain Beverly, in whose room the Senior boys had met to discuss the material . for the sprng baseball team. Naturally enough, the conver- sation had turned upon the new students, at whose expense they were having a good deal of fun. The one who had re- ceived more attention than anyone else was Jack Shuster, tall, well built, but exceedingly bashful. While the Seniors were recovering from the surprise caused by the unusual enthusiasm of their captain, he broke in again, iiFellows, we need Shuster more than anyone else if we expect to keep the cup this year. A1- lianceis team is better than ever, and you know it was great last season. One by one the boys began to own up that they, too, had seen Shuster play and that his strength and ability were unequalled. Before the crowd dispersed that night, it was unanimously voted that Shuster should play second base on the High School team. All through the season the Rock Springs team won the games played with the other High Schools of the state; now only the game with Alliance remained. itHang it ail, fellows, I canit play in the game today. I just received a letter from mother, and though she doesnit mind my playing in the small games, she wonit let me play today. She thinks thereis too much excite- ment in big games. Imagine a little excitement affecting a big fellow like rnefi Shuster laughed in an embarrassed way. tiSay, Shuster, stop your joking and get ready. Donit you think Iim worried enough without your ttornniy rot, ii exclaimed the captain in a pro- voked tone. 2-2

Page 31 text:

wz-ofam 23:2 JIZEM. mmiol.

Page 33 text:

ttBut, Captain, it isrft a joke, its the truth. Here, read for yourself. Pm awfully sorry. ,t By this time all the players were gathered around Captain Beverly and Shuster. After reading the letter Captain Beverly sank upon the bench and was silent for some time. Then he said, Wlack, Pm sorry, too, but if you ean,t play, you cant thatts all. But before we go, I want you to know we dontt blame you. Its harder on you than on us. Come on boys. Thanks, Captain? said Shuster, gripping Beverlyts hand. HThatts a great relief. I was afraid you fellows might think I was a piker. At the umpirets ttplay balltt the team took its place on the field. In the first inning Alliance scored one. Rock Springs made nothing. Thus the score remained until the fifth inning when Alliance scored another run and Rock Springs also made one. The lucky seventh passed and the eighth, and then the first half of the ninth, without any change in the score. During the last half of the ninth Rock Springs scored one. This tied the game. The deafening shouts of the rooters filled the air. One girl in orange and black was so enthusiastic that she attracted the attention of Shusterts mother, who had come without her son's know- ledge. She said to a friend who accompanied her, ttThat young lady evi- dently has very little sense. But soon she, too, found herself wildly inter- ested in the outcome of the game. The first half of the tenth inning Alliance scored nothing. During the last half the bases were filled with Rock Springs boys and two men were already out. Now was the need of a good batter realized most. Captain Beverly knew that no one could withstand the determined Alliance pitcher except Shuster, and to him he instinctively turned. iiShuster, we need you. Why man, if you dontt go to the plate wetll lose, sure. See that pitcherts face! Well, he means business and none of our fellows can stand against him. Hurry, man! Please. ttBut, Chester. I canlt. My mother . Why, Iprornised her. By this time all the team had gathered around him and everyone was talking at once. liOh, Shuster, we7ll lose the game? ttYour mother wonut even know. ttCome on, Shuster, dont be a piker. tiDo you mean that youlre going to let us lose the game, Shusteriw The students had already carried the news to the grand stand, and the people were murmuring against Shusterls mother. Such remarks as this reached her ear, Any mother who will allow her son to sacrifice the honor of his school just to humor her whims isn,t up to much. Excitement makes friends of us all. The little girl in orange and black turned to Shusterts mother, and without knowing who she was, said, itJust think, Shusterts mother wont let him play because shets afraid hetll get nervous and excited. Imagine a great, big fellow like him getting excit- ed. But, just the same, all because of his mother, wetll have to lose the game. My, but it makes me angry to think about it. 23