Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-29

knows "Tim" likes him, and the hon
ors he wears are the honors Of the whole
club with nobody TO depreciate them.
The great bali PLAYER is quiet and
gentlemanly in his demeanor, and he
has always kept himself eway from ques-
tionable associations. Although he has
pleasant words for all who approach
him, he seldom seeks acquaintances and
seems best content when deep in some
good book or hard at work with his
pencils in the difficult sinuositles Of
shorthand. In baseball rs well as out
OF it Keefe is considered student ;
that is to say, there is great amount
OF real brain-work connected with his
play. His careful survey of every part
of the field before delivering the ball,
his close study of the weak points OF
every batsman against whom he pits his
his strength and skill, and the conslde-
ration he bestows upon every move that
is made have given him widespread
reputation as the greatest "head work "
pitcher on the ball-tield.
Mention has been made OF shorthand,
which is Keefe's "reserve" in case his
mighty arm should fail him. Men who
follow pitching usually last only four or
five years. Then they have what is
called the "pitcher's arm, " which is not
much better than having no arm at all.
through the constant and violent use OF
certain ligaments their power not only
becomes impaired, but is sometimes lost
altogether. For two or three years
Keefe has been preparing to meet the
emergency that will arise when his arm
begins to weaken.
The New York club, in travelling about
the country, began to notice that as soon
rs they reached their hotel in any city
they happened to be visiting Keefe re-
tired to Lis room, shut himself in, and
wasn't Eeen again excepting on the bali
field. This conduct puzzled the club
for long time, until it was discovered
that the big pitcher was studying short
hand, and studying itseriously, too. For
hours every day and evening Keeic
practiced those mysterious twlrls and
loops aud arches and dots. To this
worthy task he has since applied himself
with undiminished ardor until be has at
tanned degree of proficiency that is said
to place him in q position of equality
with the best shorthand writer's IN the
country. Under these circumstances
when the great pitcher of the New York
club concludes to abandon baseball he
will undoubtedly be able with the inhu-
ence he can command to step at once
into new employment OF a lucrative
character.
Keefe has by no means allowed his
mind to run to seed through the over
cultivation OF his body. He has always
been good deal of reader OF solid
books of information. and he has added
10 bis early school education a wide COM
mand OF general and valuable Informs
ton.
The great pitchers peculiarities have
been often described. 1t Is good batter
that can hit his deceptive curves, and
there are but few who can gauge him.
lie pitches with his head. SO to speak, as
well as with his big right arm, and seems
byinstinct to comprehend the disposition
OF the batter before him. Let the batter
step 10 the plate in csreless mood and
quick rs lightning Keefe sends q beauti-
ful ball over the plate, and the umpire :
shout of "One Strike wakes the batter
TO Consciousness that one good chance
has passed him by.