The morning times., 1896-03-09
STRATEGY IN Baseball
Signs Used by Catchsrs TO
Coach Their Pitchers.
HOW POINTS ARE WORKED
Catchers Use Their Eyes, Arms,
Fingers and Feet to Fool Ratters.
Doc Bushong's Signs-Mike Kelly
Was an Enigma-,Jim McGuires
Signal Service Code-Maurs Work.

Baseball cranks are familiar with the fact
that to- be successful d pitcher must govern
his delivery by signs which hc receives from
his catcher. But very few enthusiasts
know how these signs are given. There
are various methods III vogue, but as II
rule they do not last long, for cagle-eyed
players soon discover them and that knocks
them sky high.
All q catcher cares TO know is whether
his pitcher is al out 10 throw Il curve or
straight ban. This is absolutely necessary
ia order to prevent passed ban and tie
signs that the catcher give are also a help
to the inficlderS, who watch for them,
TO play their positions properly.
In these days the most effective method
used by catcherS in giving Signs is ly
placing the fingers of the right hand IN
the center OF the lig nIitt worn on tie left
hand. The C2tcrer stOOpS until one knee
rests upon the ground, and then turns the
INSIDE Of tie nlitttoward the pitcher.
If he puts one finger in the middle OF the
nitt it means Il straight ball o T an inshoOt;
two fingers in the mitt can for a curved
bail and all the fingers punched is the signal
for SOW Eall. The only trouble found
with this method is that II man il on
second base Ec C&H readily see the signs
and make them known to the hatsman.
SIGNS WITH THE ARMS.
some catcherS have another wHv or
doing the act, which is aISo considered
tCOu. They place their bands upon their
knees and work tLcir arms If the arms
are perfectly straight. the pitcher knows
that a straight ban is wanted; il The elbows
are bent out, curve bail is the proper
capcr.
Catchcrs sometimes work their hands
while they are resting on the knees With
the fingers OF both hands turned III. il
means straight bah al an inshoot, While
putting the fingers on the outside OF the
knees signifies curve.
Working with the feet is also popular with
some hackstops. BY turning the toes of The
shoes out a curve must follow, while Il
straight fast ball is called for by standing
with the feet parallel. In this method il
is necessary TO do some IA king by NOV
ing the feet about so as TO throw off watch
ful coachers.
Doc" Bushong. the veteran catcher, had
q system which he chung 10 while member
Of the st. Louis champions. He held his
hands out with the palms together and
moved them back ana forth in this way:
By holding them on a line with the outside
corner Of the plate he gave sign for
curve; with his hands on Il line with the
inside corner of the plate he called for an
inshoot, and by putting them behind the
center or the rubber he asked for Il fast
one right over.
OTHER WAYS OF GIVING TIPS.
In order to bc even more puzzling several
League receivers give signs with their
mouths. They put their hands over the
sides of their masks and open their mouths
for curve ana keep them closed for a
shoot. AT times they also wink their eyes
on the same principle.
Mike Kelly had some novel signs that
were not discovered for long time. When
he caught 4 ball he threw il back TO The
pitcher i'll a certain way. If his throw was
overland it meant that the next ball had
10 he straight, while an underhand or round
arm throw told the pitcher that "Kel''
wanted a curve.
Last year Dad Clarke and Schriver. his
catcher, had u laughable experience in a
game played at Boston. Dad told Schriver
to turn one foot out for a curve and in fos
a straight.
The game was close and both teams were
fighting hard to win, when suddenly Clarke
put on a look OF disgust and pointed at
Schriver's feet. The red-faced catcher had
become ratified and stood behind the bat
with both feet turned in. Clarke walked
up to him and said:
What's the matter with yer feet. cull?"
Il can't control 'em, Dad SAID Bill
d"iectedly. whereupon Clarke whispered:
Wei, wink your eyes them
Il can't do that, Dad replied Schriver.
''for me eyes are TOO small Then Dad
walked back 10 the box ard tossed them
in any way, while his catcher WAS kept
on the jump until he wilted.
INQUIRIES SIGNAL SERVICE
The Times does not think il good policy
TO cnumerate the sigus used by Jim Nc
CURE of the Senators. Mcclure is con-
sdered one of the hcadeSt receivers i'll
the League and his code OF signals have
never been fully deciphered by opposing
players.
The work of Maui and Mcclure as a
battery is like a clock ticking ana that
is the secret OF Maurs success as a pit cher
In their several seasons play together not
for one time have they crossed one
another in their signals.