The Art of Fielding Chapter 21 Summary

How It All Goes Down

  • The Harpooners warm up, speaking in baseball language we don't quite understand:
  • "How's he looking, Meat?"
  • "He's poppin' it, Mike. Really poppin' it."
  • "Deuce?"
  • "Poppin' it."
  • "Change?"
  • "On a string. […] He's poppin' them all" (21.7-21.12). (We think these are also lyrics for a new Black Eyed Peas song.)
  • Henry messes up another throw during the game.
  • At least he doesn't give anyone a concussion, but since no one gets injured, the umpire calls it—meaning this will break Henry's perfect record.
  • Mike disagrees with the umpire's call. He gets in the ump's face, taunting him, and Coach Cox drags him off the field.
  • His little fit doesn't work, and the announcer announces the end of Henry's perfect streak.