Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-06-06
BLIND BALL PLAYERS.
They Are Enthusiastic Batsmen. but'FinC
Difficulty i'm Running Bases

They Are Enthusiastic Batsmen. butFind
Difficulty i'm Running Bases.
Buffalo Commercial: How far-reach-
ing the game of base ball really is is
shown by the following interview with
Prof. B. B. HuntoOn, superintendent
OF the Kentucky Institute for the Blind.
To q reporter Prof. Huntoon said: All
of the inmates athletically inclined take
greaC pleasure in playing ball. There Is
as much rejoicing among the victorious
as there would be among Il crowd of
other schOolboys not handicapped with
a great affection. Formerly trees were
used for bases, there being three large
ones on what was then known as the
diamond. OF late, however, different
ball grounds have been chosen, and the
bases are made of bags. This diamond
is not of regular sizs. The infielders
are stationed just the same as in the
National League game, with the eXce2-
zion that there is a right short stop.
I'm the OUtfield any number may play,
each taking his turn at the bat. The
catcher sits on the ground just behind
The batSman. in such position that
when the pitcher delivers the bali it will
fall just between mis- knees. To guard
against injuries he wears mask and
Transportation.
The batsman takes his station, being
armed with a heavy fiat bat, shaped
from the handle somewhat like cricket
bat. The pitcher stands at close pitch
ing distance. and when all is ready he
counts one, two, three, slowly and dis
10 ha Nit
the ball in the old style, the object being
TO give the batsman a ball he can nit.
When the batter thinks sufficient time
mas elapsed for the ball to reach him, he
strikes. and il is surprising how often a
Nit is made. If the batsman should
miss il bounces into the pad in the
catcher's lap. The catcher then re-
turns the ball TO the pitcher without
rising the pitcher hearing the ball in
time and almost invariably catching it
on the bounce. If a ball should be
lost the aid of some one who can see
wholly or partially is called into requi-
siti0n. When the ball is batted the UNI
pire. who is CHOSEN because he can see
rather than for his eminent qualifica-
,ti0ns. calls TO the players to watch out
IF the batted ball be what is termed a
thot liner the umpire calls to the player
In whose direction it is coming TO dodge
The man instantly ducks, leaving the
ball 10 the oucfelders.
"It is almost impossible for the ball
90 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 at
tempting 10 assist in a put out calculates
,he distance to a foot and throws the
ball with such accuracy that it strikes
the ground a few yards in front of the
Daseman. The LATER hears it coming
and usually gets it, without aid. Rum
ming bases used to be a difficult thing
she rUnner starting with outstretched
arms towards the first tree, which has
been called first base. Since bags have
been substituted for bases. the blind
runner usually has some one who can
see partially to run the bases with him.
once on a base, and it is ordinarily only
question of time until the runner
scores. OF course the game is not play
ed in any way appertaining TO the sci
Vntidc, yet il is really astonishing. ev-
erything considered, that the players
manage 70 play with such skill. All
Of them are virtually blind, some to-
tally without sight.