The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-06-06
SIGNALS THE PITCHER.
How tbs Baseball Catcher Communicates
with the Pitcher.


with the Pitcher.
Baseball cranks are all familiar with
the fact that to be successful pitcher
must govern his delivery by Signs
which he receives ffein his catcher.
but very few enthusiasts know how
these Signs are given. There are va
rious methods in vogue, but as rule
they do not last long, for eagle-eyN
players soon discover them, and that
knocks them sky high. All catcher
cares to know is whether his pitcher
is about to throw curve or straight
ball. This is absolutely necessary in
order to prevent passed ball, and the
signs that the catcher gives are also "a
help to the iBfielders, who watch for
them, to play their positions properly.
In these days the most effective meth
cd used by catchers in giving signs is
by placing the fingers of the right hand
in the center of the big mitt worn on
the left hand. The catcher stoops until
one knee rests upon the ground and
then turns the inside of the mitt toward
the pitcher. If he puts one finger in
the middle of the mitt it means a
in the mitt call for curved ball, and
all the fingers punched is the signal for
slow ball. The only trouble found
with this method is that if a man is on
second base he can readily see the signs
and make them known to the batsman.
nfnh hoy bor Of
doing the act which is also considered
good. They place their hands upon
their knees and work their arms. II
the arms are perfectly straight the
pitcher knows that straight ball ID
wanted; if the elbows are bent out a
curve ball is the proper caper. Catchers
sometimes work their hands while they
are resting on the knees. With the
fingers of both hands turned in it
means straight ball or an inshoot,
while putting the fingers on the out
side of the knees signifies curve.
Working with the feet is also popular
with some backstops. BY turning the
toes of the shoes out a curve must fol
low, while straight fast ball is called
for by standing with the feet parallel!
In this method it is necessary to dc
some taking" BY moving the feet
about so as to throw off watchful
coachers. doc" Bushong, the veteran
catcher, had system that he chung n
while a member of the ST. Louis cham.
pions. He held his hands out with the
palms together and moved them bach
and forth in this way: BY holding
them on line with the outside corner
of the plate he gave sign for curve;
with his hands on line with the in
side corner of the plate he called fol
an inshoot. and by putting them be
hind the center of the rubber he askeS
for fast one right over.
In order to be even more puzzline
several league receivers" give sign:
with their mouths. They put theii
hands over the sides of their masks
and open their mouths for a curve, ant
keep them closed for shoot. At time:
they also wink their eyes on the same
principle. Mike Kelly had some move
signs that were not discovered for /;
long time. When he caught ball hi
threw it back to the pitcher in certain
way. If his throw was overland i
meant that the next ball had to b.
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 laughable experience
in game played at Boston. Dad toll
| Schriver to turn one foot out for ;
curve and one in for straight. TIL,
game was close and both teams .wer
| fighting hard to win, when suddenl.
| Clarke put on look of disgust ant
pointed at Schriver's feet. The red
faced catcher had become ratified AM
| stood behind the bat with both fee
turned in. Clarke walked up to him ant
said:
whats the matter with yer feet
cull?"
| 81 can't control 'em, Dad!" said Bill
dejectedly, whereupon Clarke viii.
pered:
''Well, wink your eyes then!"
81 can't do that, Dad" reptile
Schriver. "for me eyes are too SMALL
Then Dad walked back to the box an
tossed them in any way. while bi
catcher was kept on the jump until j
vilted.-N. \. Sun.