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Big Six · 05-31-2009, 11:58 PM

Lima Base Ball Grounds
August 9, 1899

James Travis was a swell, and he looked the part with his expensively tailored cutaway coat, his diamond stickpin, and his carefully waxed mustache. Compared to sports in cities like New York or Boston, Travis was nothing, but in Cleveland and Cincinnati, where he operated, he was a big shot, and he knew it.

The man with him, Charles Reed, was known to most of his associates as "Champ" because he'd done a bit of prizefighting around Ohio and Michigan. To say that Champ Reed's associates were not of the most reputable sort was putting it lightly.

"So which one's Spesinger?" Travis asked Reed.

"The tall guy playing third base." On cue, Spesinger stabbed a hot grounder off a Lima batsman's club and fired across the diamond to first, retiring the batter by three full steps.

"I'm impressed," Travis replied. "Can he hit, too?"

"He's probably the best on the team. If he's not, the guy in center field is. His name's Cruz. I don't know him well, though. He's new to the club."

Travis paused for a moment. "I hear the catcher is a religious man. I don't think he'd be willing to talk with us."

Champ grinned. He clenched his hand into a big, meaty fist. "It's been my experience that almost anyone will talk if you don't give them a choice."

The swell shook his head. "I don't want you pressuring anyone like that until I tell you, Champ. We don't want to draw attention to ourselves.

"We'll need two, maybe three pitchers. Otherwise, we will have to pick our opportunities very carefully," Travis observed.

"Callahan is the one I want to speak with first."

Champ pointed to the Canton team's bench, where Charlie Callahan was relaxing with the extra pitchers and substitutes. His cap was cocked back on his head, and he stretched his legs out comfortably. "That tall fellow there is Callahan."

Travis smiled. "I knew he was a kid, but he looks like he just got out of grammar school." Champ laughed along with him.

I know he's a farm boy, Travis thought. He looks like a real rube. I'll show him a wad of cash the likes of which he's never seen, and we'll have him in our pocket...

James Travis smiled wickedly. This will be easy, easier than I thought...

05-31-2009, 11:58 PM	#63 (permalink)
Big Six Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 2,410 Thanks: 117 Thanked 91x in 73 posts	Suspicious characters Lima Base Ball Grounds August 9, 1899 James Travis was a swell, and he looked the part with his expensively tailored cutaway coat, his diamond stickpin, and his carefully waxed mustache. Compared to sports in cities like New York or Boston, Travis was nothing, but in Cleveland and Cincinnati, where he operated, he was a big shot, and he knew it. The man with him, Charles Reed, was known to most of his associates as "Champ" because he'd done a bit of prizefighting around Ohio and Michigan. To say that Champ Reed's associates were not of the most reputable sort was putting it lightly. "So which one's Spesinger?" Travis asked Reed. "The tall guy playing third base." On cue, Spesinger stabbed a hot grounder off a Lima batsman's club and fired across the diamond to first, retiring the batter by three full steps. "I'm impressed," Travis replied. "Can he hit, too?" "He's probably the best on the team. If he's not, the guy in center field is. His name's Cruz. I don't know him well, though. He's new to the club." Travis paused for a moment. "I hear the catcher is a religious man. I don't think he'd be willing to talk with us." Champ grinned. He clenched his hand into a big, meaty fist. "It's been my experience that almost anyone will talk if you don't give them a choice." The swell shook his head. "I don't want you pressuring anyone like that until I tell you, Champ. We don't want to draw attention to ourselves. "We'll need two, maybe three pitchers. Otherwise, we will have to pick our opportunities very carefully," Travis observed. "Callahan is the one I want to speak with first." Champ pointed to the Canton team's bench, where Charlie Callahan was relaxing with the extra pitchers and substitutes. His cap was cocked back on his head, and he stretched his legs out comfortably. "That tall fellow there is Callahan." Travis smiled. "I knew he was a kid, but he looks like he just got out of grammar school." Champ laughed along with him. I know he's a farm boy, Travis thought. He looks like a real rube. I'll show him a wad of cash the likes of which he's never seen, and we'll have him in our pocket... James Travis smiled wickedly. This will be easy, easier than I thought... __________________ My OOTP dynasties: The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell: where it all began The Baseball Life of Tom Haley: a story of a modern player The New England Baseball League: a fictional league story Last edited by Big Six; 06-01-2009 at 12:00 AM.