San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-03-01
THE BASEBALL CURVE,
TWENTY YEARS AGO 1T WAS UN-
HEARD OF.
How the Art of Pitching Has Progressed
Since That Time-The First Curve
Pitcher in San Antonio.

Boy Wonder" discovered the fact
in 1867 that hall could be made
to change its course while in the
air by a snap Of the wrist after
taking hold Of the sphere in a
certain way. Cummings simply
had a sweeping out-curve that he
got with long sweeping motion,
keeping his hand well below his
hip, for in those days the ball had
to be sent to the batsman with a
straight arm or pendulum motion.
Years later, when the pitchers
were allowed to deliver the ball
any way they pleased, the din.
shoot" "drop" and other wrinkles
were introduced, until the average
ball-player can now curve a ball
without an effort. While the curv-
ing Of ball is essential, 8 good
command of the ball is also neces.
sary to be effective in the major
organizations.
The first curve ball thrown in
San Antonio was by George Dick
son, of the Little Jokers, in 1886.
After that year every boy in town
could "curve 'em," and unless a
pitcher could throw "drop" and
an "out shoot" he was considered
a second rater.
The best pitchers of the present
day not only work all the curves
and drops, but fast and slow as
well. Every crack has a particu.
lar ball that he can use to advant-
age.
Capt. Arson was the first to use
more than one pitcher during a
championship season, and that as
late as 1880. Up to that time the
regular pitcher would consider it
an insult to be deprived of pitch
ing in every game. The right field
er Of the team was invariably
either a catcher or a pitcher,
who was used in exhibition games,
or IL the regular man was unable
to play. Left-handed pitchers have
not the staying powers that right
handed ones have, owing to the
effect that kind Of exercise has on
the heart.
The great left-handed pitchers
of the past, commencing with
young Mitchell in 1877, were Shaw,
Ramsey, Richmond, Morris and
Kilroy, Knell, Esper, Inks, Madden
and Killen.
The National League was organ
lied in 1876, and up to that time
the players to gain reputation in
the pitchers box were Cummings,
Martin, Matthews, Mcbride, Zet.
tlein, Frailey, Spalding, Devlin
Bond and White. FARLEY Martin
was celebrated for his slow drop
ball up to 1872, depending on his
field for outs. Harry Wright was
effective with the same ball until
the players got more proficient in
the use of the bat. Bob Matthews
depended solely on slow rise
ball, and for years was the most
defective pitcher in the country.
He could pitch day after day, and
yet weighed less than 125 pounds.
Will White, brother of Deacon
Jim White, was about the first to
get the sharp curve ball, about
1875. The Only Nolan, with the
Columbus, Ohio, team in 1877,
was one of the first men to use a
fast out-curve. Al Spalding de.
pended on his perfect command of
the ball and good headwork. Tom
Bond and Jim Devlin had great
speed, good command of the ball
and great endurance and very few
curves. George Washington Brad
ley, with the st. Louis team in
1875 and 1876, as we'll for several
minor teams later on, did some
remarkably fast and effective
work.
The National League contained
about all the great pitchers up to
1888, when the Athletics, q men,
Der of the American Association,
secured Bobby Matthews frem the
Boston club, and was enabled to
pull off the championship.
Jimmy Galvin's first box work
commenced in 1874. John M.
Ward was the star pitcher of the
country, with the Providence
team in rs, '79 and 80, when he
turned his attention to playing
other positions, as his arm was
not strong enough to stand the
strain. Goldsmith and Corcoran
with Anson's Chicago team, were
the star pitchers of 81 and 'S2
Jim Whitney was the one bright
: particular star in 1913, when,
with a weak team, he pulled of
, the championship, although the
team was last in the race about
J.. July A. 1t was no trouble for
! Whitney to strike out the finest
f. batsmen. He had tremendous
speed, good control Of the ball and
all the curves. In those days g
man could run around the box anC
throw the ball from any position
Whitney was over feet tall, hi:
reach was great and he could
bother a bstsman with his peculiar