Burt L Standish

Frank Merriwell's Support Burt L Standish

It was the seventh inning, Frank Merriwell's team had not scored, while the Omaha Stars, who had been putting up a hard game against the boys from the East, had made two runs, one in the first inning and one in the fifth. Frank had been pitching a fine game, although his wrist, sprained some time before, had not permitted him to use the double-shoot. In the seventh inning, with the very first ball he pitched, he gave his wrist a twist that sent a shooting pain all the way to his shoulder. The ball went wide of the plate, and the batter did not strike at it. When Bart Hodge returned the ball, he knew something had happened, by the expression on Frank's face. Merry caught the ball with his left hand and stood still, holding it."Play ball!" roared the excited crowd. "Make him pitch!"Still Frank seemed in no hurry. He took the ball in his hand, while Bart gave the signal for a drop. Merry shook his head, and Bart signed for an out. Again Frank shook his head, assuming a position that told the entire team he intended to use a high, straight ball. But he did not pitch.