The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-06-07

the reverse; n poor thrOwer may handle SIM
pie assists to first well enough, but he VIII
cut a sorry figure on doubles, short lntield
plays to the plate, and quick returns OF the
bali to the catcher if he is NOT possessed OF
a good arm. A third qualification at sec
ond and short is the ability of the men 10
handle thrown balls and tag runners quickly
and surely j the bascman (and short, 100.
as he often takes many of the throWs) IL
good in this respect, many another error
will be forgiven him. The ability OF the
opposing team to walk down to second
is as DANA ging as base hit, II not more so,
and the value of every second means an out
or n steal. If the baseman is slow, there
fore in tagging or uncertain of his catch ne
can spoil the whole play, even alter the
pitcher, catcher and first baseman have per-
formed their part to the letter. IN taxing
the throw it is a question in what relative
position to the baseline the baseman should
play. This depends upon the baseman. lie
should play as far from the base as possible
In order to cover ground in case OF a right
field hit, and near enough not to be TOO
much hurried and thus drop the ball ON the
throw down Experience will adjust this
distance for the man. The judgment of the
fielder should also come into play here, us
in playing for "A batter. just as the iielder
plays out as the batsnan is hard hitter
and slow runner, and III as he Is DunJer
and quick, so in the case of a base runner,
he takes less room on fast man where the
play at best will be a close call, than ON
slow man VINO is HoC iiNelF W hi'hc INC
attempt to steal. If the baseman takes
the ball in front of the base and tags
back he will avoid being baked by the run
ner, and with a good throw from the
catcher will not lose any more tune than
in tagging forward. AS a rule right-hand-
ed ba tsnen hit to left field. In such cases
second should cover the base on a steal,
while on q right-feld hitter, short should
do duty Whoever takes the throw, short
or second the other should back him up,
al
standing as to who takes the ball and who
backs up. This understanding, may be
had by the men simply coaching each
other and will not in the least interfere
with field discipline. In fact, this backing
up is one Of the most important functions
Of both positions and will do more to keep
the men wide awake and covering ground
than ANYTHING else. In backing up, short
works with third while second works WIN
first and short and second always work
with each other, as already noted. On an
infield hits when second is not required
to cover his base. he should make things
doubly sure by backing up first with the
pitcher; on all right-field hits he should, If
not exactly back up the outhelder, Mt least
help him in with the ball The value of
backing up is shown by play which hap
pened on the Harvard team once. Upton
dropped a third strike and threw tribe
high to Trafford at first; the bah bounded
from Trafford's glove into my hands Il
happened to be backing up) and l had it
back to '"Traf again in time to get the
out. We were consequently all happy,
especially "Old Man Anse," who thought
he had lost a put-out.
In keeping a runner In second, short
and the baseman perhaps work together
more than in any other play. To catch
runner mapping, the baseman must choose
his opportunities, and his movements must
be thoroughly understood by the pitcher.
the catcher and the shortstop. 1t is
rare play for second to catch man nap
ming, and if he can keep the runner near
the base, nothing more can be expected
The see-saw play is sometimes we'll worked
by short and second, the runner being
caught by q sharp throw by the pitcher to
one of the feeders mentioned when the
runners attention is diverted by the move
mcnts of the other. Hovey, of this years
Harvard team, is the best amateur player
i ever saw to hep baseman out and hold
the runner upon second. He is a fine catch
of a 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, as Hovey occupies the at
tention of the runner that second may him
self be able to secure the out.
AS at third. the Importance of having the
underhand throw down fine from short ana
second cannot be overestimated. 1t IS the