Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Rival Pitchers
The Rival Pitchers

Chapter XVII

Chapter 17 of The Rival Pitchers is here in full — 148 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Rival Pitchers
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.
"Knock a home run, Kerr, and we'll roll up a score.
Then I'll strike out the next six men."
There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.
But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Rival Pitchers

Chapter XVII

Chapter 17 of The Rival Pitchers is here in full — 148 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.
Line 2
"Knock a home run, Kerr, and we'll roll up a score.
Line 3
Then I'll strike out the next six men."
Line 4
There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.
Line 5
But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

depend verb US /dɪˈpend/

be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading “But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.”

freshmen noun US /ˈfreʃmɪn/

plural of “freshman” — a first-year undergraduate

From this reading “There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.”

handicap noun US /ˈhændikæp/

the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness

From this reading “But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.”

innings noun US /ˈɪnɪŋz/

the batting turn of a cricket player or team

From this reading “There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.”

Knock verb US /nɑːk/

deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading “"Knock a home run, Kerr, and we'll roll up a score.”

pitcher noun US /ˈpɪtʃər/

(baseball) the person who does the pitching

From this reading “But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.”

reduced adjective US /rəˈduːst/

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading “There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.”

runs noun US /rʌnz/

plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

From this reading “But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

depend on verb + particle

be contingent on

In this reading “But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.”

six men noun + noun

In this reading “Then I'll strike out the next six men."”

All words in this reading · 65

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

5

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

6

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

ANdeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading "Knock a home run, Kerr, and we'll roll up a score.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

broughtverbUS /brɔːt/

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

can't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

criedverbUS /kraɪd/

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

crossedadjectiveUS /krɔːst/

placed crosswise

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

dancingnounUS /ˈdænsɪŋ/

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/

be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

emnounUS /em/

a quad with a square body

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

enthusiasmnounUS /ɪnˈθuːziæzəm/

a feeling of excitement

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

especiallyadverbUS /əˈspeʃli/

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

EXPOSTULATIONnoun

the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

fivenounUS /faɪv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

freshmennounUS /ˈfreʃmɪn/

plural of “freshman” — a first-year undergraduate

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

handicapnounUS /ˈhændikæp/

the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

I'll

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I'll strike out the next six men."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

inningsnounUS /ˈɪnɪŋz/

the batting turn of a cricket player or team

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

Kerr

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Knock a home run, Kerr, and we'll roll up a score.

KnockverbUS /nɑːk/

deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading "Knock a home run, Kerr, and we'll roll up a score.

Langridge

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

leadverbUS /led/

take somebody somewhere

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading Then I'll strike out the next six men."

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Then I'll strike out the next six men."

NowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Then I'll strike out the next six men."

pitchernounUS /ˈpɪtʃər/

(baseball) the person who does the pitching

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

platenounUS /pleɪt/

(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

playverbUS /pleɪ/

participate in games or sport

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

Randall

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

rollverbUS /roʊl/

move by turning over or rotating

From this reading "Knock a home run, Kerr, and we'll roll up a score.

runverbUS /rʌn/

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading "Knock a home run, Kerr, and we'll roll up a score.

runsnounUS /rʌnz/

plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

scorenounUS /skɔːr/

a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)

From this reading "Knock a home run, Kerr, and we'll roll up a score.

sixnounUS /sɪks/

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Then I'll strike out the next six men."

strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

strikeverbUS /straɪk/

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading Then I'll strike out the next six men."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then I'll strike out the next six men."

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

we'll

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading AN EXPOSTULATION "Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your pitcher.

Chapter 17 of The Rival Pitchers by Lester Chadwick holds 148 sentences, grouped into 30 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 17 of The Rival Pitchers contain?

Chapter 17 holds 148 sentences of The Rival Pitchers, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of The Rival Pitchers by Lester Chadwick exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 148 sentences, grouped into 30 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 17 of The Rival Pitchers?

Work through the 30 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 30 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Rival Pitchers

Common questions about reading The Rival Pitchers by Lester Chadwick on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Rival Pitchers?

Yes. All 5069 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #39582 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Rival Pitchers is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #39582, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Rival Pitchers take to read?

About 422 minutes of reading across 1014 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Rival Pitchers section by section

How to work through The Rival Pitchers section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 33 chapters of The Rival Pitchers to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Rival Pitchers

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Rival Pitchers, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Rival
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Rival Pitchers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pitchers
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Rival Pitchers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Story
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Rival Pitchers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
College
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Rival Pitchers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.