Fast Nine

In Short

This narrative follows the Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts as they prepare for a highly anticipated baseball game against their rivals from the nearby town of Fairfield. While the central plot revolves around the training and the final “fast nine” showdown, the story is woven with various subplots involving wilderness survival, the solving of local mysteries, and the cultivation of scout values. It persists today as a quintessential artifact of early 20th-century juvenile fiction, offering a window into an era where outdoor lore, moral rectitude, and athletic competition were the primary building blocks of a young man’s development.

The Story

The Hickory Ridge troop, led by the capable and experienced Elmer Chenowith, finds its rhythm through shared camp life and woodsman training. Elmer, a youth with deep roots in the Canadian Northwest, serves as the moral anchor for his peers, guiding them to internalize the scout oath. As the summer progresses, the troop is galvanized by the news of an upcoming baseball game against the Fairfield boys, a challenge that promises to settle local rivalries and determine the regional champion of the scout league.

The path to the diamond is anything but straightforward. The boys navigate various trials, including the accidental rescue of their adventurous friend Toby Ellsworth Jones, who narrowly avoids catastrophe while testing his own inventions on a treacherous cliffside. Simultaneously, the scouts must defend their reputation against false accusations of mischief. Mark Cummings, a talented caricaturist and member of the troop, finds himself caught in a mystery involving a lost cap found at the scene of a garden raid. Through clever observation and the help of a local hound, the scouts clear their names and expose the true culprits—a pair of shiftless men planning a larger crime.

When the day of the game arrives, the tension is palpable. The Fairfield team believes they have intercepted the Hickory Ridge signal code, hoping to gain an unfair advantage. However, the Hickory Ridge scouts, aided by the small but resourceful Jasper, have anticipated this trickery and effectively reversed their signs to confound their opponents. The game itself is a closely contested affair. Elmer shines on the mound, his signature slow drop ball keeping the Fairfield batters frustrated and off-balance. Through a combination of grit and coordinated teamwork, the Hickory Ridge boys pull ahead, utilizing key hits and solid defensive play.

The match concludes with a well-earned victory for Hickory Ridge, solidifying their status as champions. The narrative wraps up with the boys reflecting on their growth, celebrating the triumph not merely as a sporting achievement but as a testament to the discipline they have fostered together. The boys return to their daily lives in Hickory Ridge, satisfied that their hard work, adherence to the scout code, and willingness to look out for one another have brought honor to their troop.

How It Unfolds

The call to duty The story opens with the Hickory Ridge scouts settling into the routines of patrol life and preparing for the challenges ahead. Elmer Chenowith establishes his leadership by guiding his friends toward the high standards of their scout promise.

The mystery of the cap A series of suspicious events leads to an unfair accusation against Mark Cummings involving a raid on a colonel’s property. The boys apply their observational skills to track down the truth, eventually uncovering the real perpetrators hidden in a tool house.

The challenge from Fairfield Formal word arrives that the Fairfield troop wishes to face Hickory Ridge in a decisive baseball game. The scouts hold a troop meeting to accept the challenge, arranging for a neutral umpire to ensure the match remains fair.

Preparing for the diamond Anticipating that their rivals might attempt to steal their baseball signals, the boys implement a clever counter-strategy. They utilize the small but overlooked scout Jasper to help rewrite their communication methods, ensuring the Fairfield team will be misled.

The final showdown The match unfolds as a dramatic test of endurance and technique, with Elmer’s pitching proving the difference against the Fairfield hitters. The Hickory Ridge nine stay focused despite the pressure, ultimately securing a victory that validates their weeks of preparation.

The People

Elmer Chenowith, the patrol leader and assistant scoutmaster, is the steady heart of the troop. With his background in the Canadian Northwest, he possesses the practical wisdom and calm temperament needed to keep the other boys grounded. He seeks to build a troop defined by integrity rather than just physical prowess.

Mark Cummings provides the artistic and observant counterpoint to Elmer. Quick-witted and perpetually sketching with whatever medium he can find, he is loyal to his chums and quick to defend his honor when falsely accused. His arc is one of vindication, as he proves that his character is as sharp as his eye for detail.

Toby Ellsworth Jones serves as the troop’s impulsive dreamer. His obsession with inventing—often resulting in near-disastrous accidents—tests the patience of his friends, yet he represents the restless, creative spirit of the group.

The antagonist Matt Tubbs, formerly the bully of the region, undergoes a significant change of heart. His attempt to live up to the scout code provides a foil for the other boys, illustrating the transformative power of the movement. He moves from an outsider to a participant, showing that even those with a checkered past can find a "straight swathe" through life.

In Its Own Voice

Elmer lays out the foundation for the boys’ conduct, emphasizing that being a scout is an active, daily choice:

"No crooked work will go when a fellow has faithfully promised to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful to others, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient to his superiors, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent."

The boys’ confidence in their pitcher, Elmer, is absolute, reflecting the high stakes they place on athletic merit and team spirit:

"Wait till you see how Elmer teases their heavy batters with that drop of his! There'll be need of a lot of dope after the game, for the arms that swing nearly out of joint swiping the air."

What It's Really About

At its core, this book argues that character is developed through the intersection of discipline and play. It posits that the "scout movement" provides a structure where boys can channel their natural restlessness into constructive pursuits like sportsmanship, nature study, and communal responsibility. The book suggests that the same grit required to survive in the wilderness is the exact trait needed to win a baseball game or clear one's name. Ultimately, it poses the question of how to raise a young man who is as capable of solving a criminal mystery as he is of hitting a curveball, arguing that moral vigilance is the essential foundation for all other forms of success.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy vintage Americana or are interested in the historical roots of the Boy Scout movement will find this book an engaging, if dated, experience. It captures the late-Victorian and Edwardian preoccupation with "muscular Christianity" and the belief that outdoor activity inherently builds better citizens. The tone is uniformly earnest and optimistic, reflecting a world where problems are usually solved by a bit of common sense and a firm adherence to a code of ethics.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes and vernacular. The dialogue, particularly regarding certain characters, reflects the racial and social prejudices common to the early 20th century, which can be jarring. The prose is also dense with the didacticism of its time, often pausing for lengthy, textbook-like passages on nature lore and fish species. While the pacing is occasionally slowed by these informative asides, the heart of the book remains its portrayal of youthful friendship. It feels like a time capsule—a sincere, uncomplicated look at what a group of boys in 1912 thought it meant to be "good." For those who can navigate its historical blind spots, it offers a warm, rhythmic, and thoroughly nostalgic look at the simple joys of a summer afternoon on the ballfield.