Chapter II: Preface

THE cordial welcome given to FOLLOWING THE BALL by boy readers and parents—severe critics both, though from very different standpoints—has led to the writing of this second story, in which baseball has a sufficiently important part to suggest the title.

The author’s purpose in each case has been to produce a readable story true to the life of a distinctly American school, true to athletics in their better spirit and character, and teaching—not preaching—a manly and reasonable ideal. If he has not succeeded in this, the failure can certainly not be charged to lack of experience with athletics or school life or the ways of boys.

Hearty acknowledgments for expert advice on the technicalities of baseball training and play are due to Dr. Edward H. Nichols of Boston, who, as player, head coach, and graduate adviser, has probably contributed more to Harvard victories on the diamond than any other one man. The play marking the climax of the game described in Chapter XXVI is a historic one, borrowed from a Yale-Harvard contest. Its hero was Mr. George W. Foster, of a champion Harvard nine.

ALBERTUS T. DUDLEY.

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I AN UNWELCOME PROPOSITION. 1

II ON THE ICE. 13

III THE BATTLE. 25

IV PHIL’S RESOLUTION. 38

V A TOUGH PROBLEM. 45

VI A WESTERN SOLUTION. 57

VII IN THE BASEBALL CAGE. 71

VIII A TRANSACTION IN BOOKS. 82

IX BURGLARY. 90

X MR. MOORE’S THEORY. 98

XI FLANAHAN STRIKES OUT. 110

XII VARRELL EXPLAINS HIMSELF. 122

XIII THE SPRING RUNNING. 131

XIV UNDER TWO FLAGS. 146

XV ABOUT MANY THINGS. 156

XVI PHIL MAKES HIS DÉBUT. 168

XVII A NOCTURNAL MYSTERY. 181

XVIII A SPILLED PITCHER. 191

XIX THE COVETED OPPORTUNITY. 200

XX AN UNEXPECTED BLOW. 218

XXI A GLOOMY PROSPECT. 232

XXII THE DECISION OF THE 243
COURT.

XXIII THE GREAT TRACK MEET. 261

XXIV THE HILLBURY GAME. 282

XXV ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF 300
HALE.

XXVI A DOUBLE ASSIST. 314

XXVII CONCLUSION. 325

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ILLUSTRATIONS

Phil did not walk in from the Frontispiece
field

The Western contingent were 26
established among the pines
on the right

A Corner in Sands’s Room 70

He heard voices,—at first 150
indistinct, then somewhat
clearer

The Academy through the Trees 190

In the Campus Woods 242

He suddenly turned and pulled 292
the ball down

The Main Street of Seaton 324

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MAKING THE NINE

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