Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1897-06-18
CURVES AND CATCHERS.
Methods of Men Behind the Bal
in Baseball.
How They Signal to the Pitcher Wher,
to Put the Ball - One of the
Most Important Factors of
the Game.

tne G8m0.
Baseball cranks are all familiar with
the fact that to be successful pitcher
must govern his delivery by signs
which he receives from 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-eyed
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 q straight
ball. This is absolutely necessary in
order to prevent passed ball, and the
signs that the catcher gives are also
help to the infeldors, 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
straight ball or an inshoot; two fingers
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
aad make them known to the batsman.
Some catchers have another way 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 q straight ball l.;
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 n curve.
Working with the feet is also popular
with some bGckstops. By turning the
toes OF the shoes out curve must fol-
low, while q straight fast ball is called
for by standing with the feet parallel.
In this method it is necessary to do
tome talking" by moving the feet
about so as to throw off watchful
coachers. Doc Bushong, the veteran
catcher, had system that he chung to
while meInber of the st. Louis cham
pions. lie held his hands out with the
palms together and moved them back
and forth in this way: by holding
them on line with the outside corner
of the plate he gave a sign for a curve;
with his hands on line with the in
side corner Of the plate he called for
an inshoot, and by putting them be-
hind the center of the rubber he asked
for fast one right over.
In order to be even more puZzlinS
several league receivers give signs
with their mouths. They put their
| hands over the sides of their masks
aud open their mouths for curve, and
keep them closed for shoot. At times
they also wink their eyes on the same
principle. Mike Kelly had some novel
signs that were not discovered for a
long time. When he caught ball he
threw it back to the pitcher in a certain
way. If his throw was overland it
meant that the next ball had to be
straight, while an underhand or round
arm throw told the pitcher that "Kel"
wanted curve
Last year Dad Clarke and Schriyer.
his catcher, had laughable experience
in a game played at Boston. Dad told
Schriver to turn one foot out for u
curve and one in for q straight. The
game was close and both teams were
fighting hard to win, when suddenly
Clarke put on n look of disgust and
pointed at Schrivcr'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.
whats the matter with yer feet,
cull?"
Il can't control 'em, Dad!" said Bill.
dejectedly, whereupon Clarke whis-
pered:
well, wink your eyes, them"
Il can't DO that, Dad" replied
Sehriver. "for me eyes are too SMALL"
Then Dad walked Lack to the box and
tossed them in any way, while his
catcher was kept on the jump until he
wilted.-N. Y. Sun.