Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-07
TRAINING THE CATCHER.
A Process Essential TO Good Base Ball
Playing.

Prom 81 Nicholas.
The training Of the catcher has In 70 less 70
riety, and 10 in consequence far more tedious
than that Of the pitcher. The work OF
strengthening the muscles OF the shoulder and
arm Is the same that for the pitcher; but IN
the throwing practice the catcher should des
vote his attention 10 the short-arm throw. He
should begin at the short distance Of perhaps
nfty feet and increase that distance very grad.
uaily. In fact he ought, even when he ca
readily throw the full distance from home 70
second with comparative ease. 20 do most Of
his throwing at two-thirds that distance. After
the nine has begun TO work in the Geld 10 10
not advisable for the catcher 20 throw 20 SEQ.
ond anything like the number Of times the ms.
jority OF amateurs attempt daily. Only after
the nine has been out OF doors for two or three
weeks Is so much Of the full distance throwing
arm in good condition.
The position of the feet In throwing A ali
important. IL he be a strong man Of moderate
weight he can and should throw without change
ing the position of his feet To this object Lin
gymnasium practice should be devoted Stand.
ing steadily upon his feet in the exact position
assumed at the moment Of catching the ball
he should with slight swing at the hips. be
able TO send the bali down. Throwing in cage
with low ceiling Is the best thing possible for
q
line. point OF catcher's practice which does
not enter into the work of the pitcher, 10 thst
OF toughenlng the hands. Rowing on the ma
chimes, climbing the rope, swinging on the
flying rings and hand ball. II there be any
court for that excellent game, will all tend
toward this end He should consider, how
ever. that IL is not merely toughenins the
SKIN OF the hands that IL desirable, but also
hardening the flesh. so that il is not easily
bruised For this reason he should pass ball
N fhEN rla =
outset he should receive no swift balls and
should stop at the first feeling OF anything be-
yond a moderate tingling OF the palms His
hands should receive their full preparatory
hardening before he goes out into the held for
ordinary carefuness demands that he should
do no catching behind the bat after the season
commences except with hands thoroughly pro-
tected by well-padded gloves What is com.
monty called a stone bruise Is one Of the ten.
derest and most lasting mementos OF Careless
ness IN this respect In his gymnasium prao-
tce he should wear the mask. This seems 20
most catchers = useless bore; but the captain
or coach should insist upon it, and the mask
should become almost part of ths
catcher himself All his throwing and
passing should be performed with his
eyes behind Its wires, in order that,
from becoming thoroughly accustomed 10 it, ID
may add no inconvenience TO has work. The
breast plate need not be 80 vigorously insisted
upon. but even this should be worn frequently.
10 iiSh' manu- grove must Always De worn
when practcing throwing in order that this
also shall offer no unusual difficulty in the
later work. Many a catcher may think that 10
looks silly TO stand up with mask and glove
on to throw at a mark, but there is every
reason for doing this, and he will himself APP
preciate the value of such practice when he
stands accoutered on the field behind the bats
man and with a runner on first
As often as II is convenient the catcher. par
ticularly If a novice, should have some one
swing the bat before him while he IL passing
ball IN the gymnasium. by the time he geta
out OF doors he should be thoroughly accus-
toned to the close proximity Of the batsman.