The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-01
The Intelligent Player Takes Rank
Above the Machine WorLar

One OF the most important essentials OF win
ming bail player is intelligence. This does not
necessarily mean that he must be man of great
intellectual attainmeuts. He must, however,be
quick witted. No point of play should escape
him, and he should always be ready to take adj
vantage OF any weakness on the part of the op-
posing team.
Many players seem to think that their duty
consists merely of hitting the ball when they
step to the plate or of catching it when it comes
into their territory. They do not appreciate the
value OF sacrifice hitting, and are not capable OF
Judging when it should be done. On the base
lines their only idea 10, run as hard, and per-
maps slide as far, as they can for the next base.
In the held they do pothing more than to catch
or stop the ball and throw it to head off run
ner.
The value of working legitimate tricks in the
game cannot be overestimated. One of the
strong points OF battery work il keeping the
bases well guarded by a code Of signals, SO that
the baseman who is not on the alert is caught
mapping. A successful catcher must be some
thing more than backstop who catches the
ball and throws it to q base when he sees a run
ner making for 1t. The possibilities of head
work in this position are almost endless and
the quick-witted player is sure to take prece-
dence over the machine worker. So, too, numer-
GUS opportunities arise in the inield where
players who are up in the fine points of the
game and grasp situation readily, can make a
double play where ordinary work would result
In but one put-out. Even in the outfield,
though not in so great a degree, this faculty 10
OF great value. 1t can always be brought into
play, however, at the bat and in running bases.
When to hit the ball and when to let il 60 by.
when to sacrifice, when to attempt to steal
base, when to hold base or run on a hit, all
enters largely into the requisite knowledge of a
hrst-class ball player.
Among the most noted and valuable PLAYERS
mr. ar7lo a.
simple catching and batting of the ball. but
who have risen to the top because they have
made use OF brain work to good effect. One of
the best examples of success in this line is
king" Kelly. He is a very indifferent fielder,
and when he first began his professional work
in Cincinnati the spectators of speculative
turn of mind would bet on his falling down.
with good chances of winning every time he
started for fly ball. But Mike could bat, and
was quick to take advantage of every oppor-
tunity. Although not & very swift runner, his
splendid judgment finally placed him among
the best base-runners in the land Now he is
classed in the first rank of the baseball stars
Kelly has probably been the author of more
tricks in baseball than any man in the pro-
fession.
Another player, who perhaps excels Kelly in
headwork, is John NJ. Ward, now with Brook
Ign. He was at one time fine pitcher but his
arm went back on him. He was kept on the
New York team as a substitute, playing in
various positions, until finally his earnest. in.
telligent play secured him a regular place in
the nine. Although not the equal of several
players in mere fielding skill, Ward is generally
conceded to play his position with more success
than any other shortstop in the country. He in
undoubtedly the most scientific batter PLAYING
ball and his base-running is not excelled by
any one