The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-06-05

ton at second and short il the ability of
the mon to handle thrown balls and tag
runners quickly and surely. II the base
man iand short, too, As he often takes
many Of thu throws) in good in this re-
spscs. many another error will be forgiven
him. The ability Of the opposing team to
walk down to second" is 40 damaging az =
base hit, il not more SO. and the value of
every Sc ,ond means an out or = steal. If
the baseman 10 slow. therefore. in tagging,
or uncertain of his catch, he can spoil the
whole play: evsn after the pitcher. catcher n
part to the letter. In taking the
throw it is a question in what
relative position to the base line
the bassman should play. This depends
upon the bassman. He should play 40 far
from the base as possible N order TO cover
enough not to be too much hurried n
thus drop the ball ON the throw down. Ex-
p~erisnce will adjust this difference for the
man. The Judgment of she fielder should
also come into play here, as in playing for
= batter. Just as the fielder plays out as
runner, and in - he is . buntsr aud quick,
SO in the case of q base runner he takes less
room on q fast man where the play ut best
will be q close call, than on a slow mar who
is not likely to mako the attempt to steal.
II the baseman takes the ball in front of
SAO ONOC onA eok0 OooAt Ao - 00AAk
baked by the runner, and with a good
throw from tho catcher will not lose any
more time than in tagging forward. As
q rule right handed batsmen hit to
left field. In such cases second
On a right fold hitter, Short should
d. duty. Whoever takes the throw, short
or second. the other should back him up,
and there should always be an understand
ing as to who takes the ball and who backs
up. This understanding may be had by
the men simply coaching each other, and
discipline. In fact. this backing up is one
of the most important factions of both
positions. and will do moro to keep the
men wide awake and covering ground than
ANYTHING else: In backing up, short works
each other. as already noted. Or all intield
hits when second ia not required to cover
his base. he should make things doubly
! SURF by backing up drst with the pitcher;
on all right field hits he should, if not ex-
aotly back up the out6elder, at least help
up 10 shown by = play which happened on
the Harvard team once. Upton dropped =
third strike and threw a trif1e high to
Traford at first; the ball bounded from
Traford's glove into my hands Il hap
pened to be backing up), and ! had it back
y -" sS~sA AA SA~SS ~ ~ S~~ ~ WV
were consequently all happy, especially
"Old Man Anse," who thought he had lost
q put out.
In keeping \ runner on second, short and
the baseman perhaps work together more
than in any othcr play. To catch a runner
p%ortunities. and his movements must be
thoroughly understood by the pitcher, the
catcher and the shortstop. II il y rare play
for second to catch u man mapping. and if
hs can keep the runnern near the base. moth
ing more can be expected. The see-saw
play ia sometimes we'll worked by short and
second. the runner being caught by a sharp
! throw by the pitcher to one of the tielders
mentioned when the runners attention 10
diverted by the movements OF the other.
Hovey, of this years Harvard team, ia the
best amateur player l ever saw TO help u
bassman and hold tho runner upon second.
He 10 = fine catch Of 4 thrown ball and
quick in his movements. and unless closely
watched will catch the runner unassisted
by second. His play in this respect is Of
value to the baseman personally, a. Hovey
SO occupies the attention Of the runner that
second may himself be able to secure tho
out.
Al at third. the Importance of having the
anderhsnd throw down tine from short aud
second mo be ovsrestimAted. 1t IL tho
frat thing n man playing either position
should learn. and one cannot give 1t too
much practice. II 10 y quicker. sursr throw
and does not require that recovery OF the
balance necessary to the overland throw.
II doubles come to you from third aud
short between your knee and waist, YOU will
be able to snap the ball to 6rst with almost
thu same motion with which YOU catch IL.
and thus gain y great deal Of time. On
short iSld plays TO ths plate, the infield
should get this throw TO the catcher just
kn . high and always . little 10 ths cAtoher's
loft. Tn catcher will thon be- Just in the
position TO tag tho runnsr sliding in frem
third. II the catcher has to reach for the