West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-06-18
BLIND BALL PLAYERS.
rhoy Are Enthusiastic Batsmen, But
Find Difficulty In Rumning BASES.

|
How far.reaohing the game OF
base bali really is shown by the fol
lowing interview with Prof. Il. B.
! Huntoou. superintendent of the
Kentucky Institute for the Blind.
10 reporter Prof. Huntoon sald !:
"All of the inmates athletically i'm d.
ellnel take great pleasure in play
ing ball. There is as much rcioc
ing among the victorious as there
would DO among crowd Of Other
school6oys not handicapped with "A
great aiii elton. Formerly trees
were used for bases, there being
three large ones on what was then
known as the diamond. or late.
however, different ball grounds
have been chosen, and the bases
are made Of bags. This diamond
is not OF regular size. The infleld
ers are stationed just the same as
IN the National League game, with
the exception that there is a right
short stop. In the outiield any
number may play, each taking his
turn at the bat. The catcher sits
on the ground just behind the bats.
man, In such position that when
the pitcher delivers the ball it will
fall just between his knees. To
guard against injuries he wears u
mask and breast-protector.
1.-The batsman takes his station,
being armed with a heavy fat bat,
from the handle somewhat like
cricket bat. The pitcher stands at
close pitching distance, and when
all is ready he counts one, two,
three, slowly aud distinctly. AS
he says three, he pitches the ball
in the old style, the object being to
give the batsman ball he can hit.
When the batter thinks sufficient
time has elapsed for the ball to
reach him, he strikes, and it is sur
prising how often "a hit is made.
II the bitsmln should miss it.
bounces into the pad in the catch
er's lap. The catcher then returns
the ball to the pitcher without rails
ing, the pitcher hearing the ball in
time, and almost Invariably cltch.
ing it on the bounce. If the ball
should be lost the aid Of some one
who can see wholly or partially is
called into requistion. When the
ball is batted the umpire, who is
chosen because he can see, rather
than for his eminent qualifications,
calls to the players to watch out.
If the batted ball be what is termed
hot liner the umpire calls to
the player in whose direction it IS
coming to dodge. The man in
stantly ducks. leaving the ball TO
the outfielders.
"It IS almost impossible for the
ball to be returned in time TO throw
the base runner out at first, yet
that is sometimes done. When the
ball is thrown to first the player
who is attempting to assist in q put
out calculates the distance TO a foot
and throws the bail with such ac.
curacy that it strikes the ground a
few yards in front OF the baseman.
The later hears it coming, aud
usual gets it without aid Run.
ming bases used to be dinicnlt
thing, the runner starting with
outstretched arms towards the first
tree, which has been substituted
for bases, the blind runner usually
has some one who can see partially
to run the bases with him. Once
on base, and it is ordinarily only
a question Of time until the runner
scores. or course the game ls not
played IN any way appertaining to
the scientific, yet IL isrcally aston
ishlug, everything considered, that
the players manage 10 play with
such skill. All Of them are yirtu
ally blind, some totally without
sigbt"--Bu6dl0 C0mmeyciaI.