The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-08-06
eral hypothesis that the pitcher has
cool head. good temper and fairly
strong and trained arm
STRAIGHT BALLS AND CURVES.

The rules require one foot on the rear
line of the box, with the body facing
the batter, and also that the ball shall
be in sight of the batter.
The speediest straight ball Is acquired
by holding the ball at first close TO the
body, firmly grasping the seams of the
cover with the tips of the two fore.
fingers and the tip of the thumb-next.
long sweeping circle should be made,
bending the body far backward on the
right leg, the left leg raised about
foot from the ground (the ball almost
touching the earth during the swing).
Suddenly lurch should be given with
the back and shoulders; the body
| Strengthened rlgidly; the arm stretched
straight and stiff in the air, as high up
as the pitcher can possibly reach. The
ball must be thrown the moment it is
directly overhead, at full arms length,
and with parting squeeze it is thus de.
livered to the batter or catcher straight
from the finger tips. And right here
may add that the person to whom the
pitcher throws should never be lost
SIGHT Of.
exactly the same way, and with the
same motion as the straight ball, ex-
cept that, when the arm is perpendi-
cular in the air, a sudden snap of the
wrist is given, with the forefinger
parallel to the shoulder.
have also had great success with the
old-fashioned under-hand or under. arm
delivery, using the in-shoot from the
finger. tips, pointing to the ground and
also with big quick, out.curve, snap.
ping the wrist in the direction OF the
ground instead OF overhead.
Again, most deceptive ''slow ball"
Ia oh Inn h holI ~.
same manner as the straight ball, only
pushed far back in the crotch OF the
thumb. 1t can be thrown with the
same quick motion, but its course to the
batsman is slow and he will be over
impatient for it to get to him.
WHAT HEAD WORK DOES
1t is generally considered best to get
the first ball pitched strike when you
have made a good beginning.
If you notice that the man steps away
from the plate in his swing at the bali,
keep showing "out curves at him, and il
he walks into a ball" throw them
around his head and neck. / find that
low, straight ball is easier for men to
bat than high shoot.
pitcher. too, should be more careful
in saving his pitching hand, as the
many balls returned from the catcher
numbs the hands, and the fingers are in
danger, as are also the nails. ALWAYS
keep my thumb nail and two forefinger
nails long, SO as to have protection in
throwing the ball from the finger tips.
Again assert that pitcher should
never lose sight of his batter. for then
he is prepared to catch the swift liners
that come so quickly upon him, and he
can also be on the alert for the hunts
and short hits that lurk around the
base lines and plate.
On every infeld bat the pitcher
should run back of first base in front of
the runner. When his catcher throws
to second base to head a runner the
pitcher should take a position behind
third base, to catch the centre felder's
throw should his catcher prove inaccu-
rate. When runner is on third base
and fly is knocked in any direction
the pitchers duty is to be back of the
catcher The throw home may bounce
wild or roll by the catcher, and with no
one backing score could easily be
made.
| have found the best way to keep a
runner hugging his base is never to lose
sight of him. Make him Jump into first
base very often, so as TO get him winded,
and try to deliver quickly to the plate
when ne is not ready to start or mas lost
his balance. Never use long, easy
motion with I man on base, and instruct
your catcher to throw dire city over your
head, as second base is in line with the
pitcher and the home plate
II the batter attempts to bunt, keep
the balls high on him, and try never to
let man walk" on you, as the chances
a:e many in your favor that he will not
hit safely.
BAsRs ON BALLS AND HITS.
base on balls is as welcome as a
hit, and 80 with two balls and no
s.rikes put every ball over the plate,
there are eight other players on the
team beside yourself. That pitcher is
the most successful who can work his
straight and curved balls over the plate
corners.
I find it OF great value also to ..size
up the opposing batters early in the
game, for this lightens ones cares in the
remaining innings when one is tagged
and weary.
If a batter is found who can shit any,
thing in sight" put all your speedy mo.
tions and the slow pace at him and com
pei him to hit them. All batting records
show that the crack batters fall below
500 per cent, which proves your chances
are many to retire him without hit.
When an inning is finished the arm
and shoulder should be covered with a
warm sweater, no matter how hot the
day. There is constant danger that the
delicate tissues and ligaments will
become stiff. especially at the elbow,
where the arm is 30 often wrenched.
No curving should be attempted in
March, and very little early in April, or
stiffness may be contracted that many
summer days cannot eradicate, and the