Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1890-09-20
q Professional eAcKsTCP.
Now Baseball Catcher Should Train
for lila Seasons Work.

for Nis Sea2On's Work.
Tho training of the catcher has in it
less variety, and is in consequence far
more tedious tl,an that of the pitcher.
: The work of strengthening the muscles
OF the shoulder and arm is the salno is
that described for tic pitcher; but in
the throwing practice the catcher
should devote his attention to the
shoEtarln throw. lie Should begin at
the short distance of perhaps fifty feet,
and increase that distance very gradu-
ally. III fact, he ought, even when he
can readily throw the full distance
from home TO second with comparative
easc, to do most of his throwing at two
thirds that distance. After the nine
has begun to work in the field it is not
advisable for the catcher to throw to
second anything like the number of
times the majority of amateurs attempt
daily. Oniy after tile nine has been
out of doors for two or three weeks is
so much of tile full distance throwing
safe for any catcher who wishes to have
bis arm in good condition.
The position Of the feet in throwing
is all important. If lie be a strong man
of moderate weight he can and should
throw without changing the position of
the feet. To tlis object his gymnasium
practice should BE devoted Standing
steadily upon his feet in the exilct po-
sitiml assumed ut the lAo!ncnt OF catch
ing tile ball, he should, with Il slight
swing at the hips, be able to send the
ball down. Throwing in !, cage with
a low ceiling is The best thing possible
for him. as it forces him to throw hard
and on IL line.
a point of catcher's practice, which
does not enter into the work OF the
pitcher, is that of tougheninS the
hands. Rowing on the machines, Climb
ing the rope, swinging Oh the flying
rings and l;andball, if there are any
courts for that excellent game, will all
tend toward this end. He should con-
slider. however. that it is not merely
toughcninY the skin of the hands that
is desirable. but also hardening the
flesh So that it is not easily bruised. For
this renson he should pass BALI with
out gloves regularly every day.
st the outset lie should receive no
swift balls, and should stop ut the first
feeling of anything beyond u moderate
tingling of the palms. His hands should
receive their full preparatory hardening
before lie goes out into the field, for
ordinary carcfulness demands that lie
should do no catching behind the bat
after the season COMMENCES except with
hands thoroughly protected by we'll
padded gloves. What is called a stone
bruise is one of the tcndcrcst and most
lasting lne.ncntoes of carclessncss III this
respect. In his gymnasium practice ne
should wcar tho mask. This seems to
most catcl1crs q useless bore. buttlle carp
tain Or coach should insist upon it, and
tho musk should become almost q part of
the catcher himself All his throwing
and catching sIl ould be performed with
his eyes behind its wires. in order that.
from becoming thoroughly accustomed
to it. it may add no Inconvenience to
his work
The brcastpIate need not be 50 rigor-
ously insisted upon. but even this
should be worn frequently. The right
hand glove mast always be worn when
practlciny throw:nS,'i:, order that this
also shall Offer no unusual difficulty in
tic later work. Many catcher may
tllinl, that it looks silly to stand up
with Il mus, ana glove on to throw
at IL mark; but there Is every reason
for doing this and he Will himself ap-
prccfatc the value Of such practice
VIXEN lie stands accoutered on the fell
behind the bats;na1 and with u runner
on first.
AS often rs it is convenient the
catcher, particularly If a NOVICE, should
have some ono swing tie b.. before
him while lie is passing ball. in the
gymnasium B!- the time he gets out
of doors he shouid b., thoroughly &C
customed to the close proximity of the
batslna,. -Walter Camp in st. Nicho-
las +.
The Material of Dumas Stories.