The times., 1899-09-11
MORPHY'S SHREWD Trick
He Establishes Signal Service and
Tips the Batsmen.
One of the Most Ingenious Inyen-
tfons 10 Communicate Signals Upon
Catcher of the Philadelphia Club
-KittridEe Gave the Snap Away.

One OF the most unique and ingenious
auxiIiaries TO the efficiency of the batting
department OF ball club has recently been
disclosed, and is too good to longer keep
from the public. 1t has for some time been
a matter of wonder and surprise TO players
and magnates why it was that the Phila-
delphia management kept Morgan Murphy
on their payroll, as he never appeared be-
hind the bat in his favorite role as back
stop. nor was he ever seen on the coaching
lines, and seldom noticed even in practice
Thereby hangs the tale which is hereby un-
folded. The Philadelphia Club has estab-
lished an annex to their field organization
In the way Of an observatory located at the
most available point of vantage, which is
provided with a telescope Of wonderful mag
nifying power, which win bring distant OBJ
jects SO plainly in view that every detail
of form and figure can easily be seen and
read. A player upon the diamond can be
brought in such close proximity TO the OBJ
server that he can easily see the wink Of
his eyelash or whisper in his ear. 1t is
generally known by the fans that the
pitcher in the box is controlled by his
catcher, who instructs him by signals just
what kind of a ball to pitch, whether a
straight or high ball, a curve, an in or
outshoot, slow or swift one. Therefore
it is seen that the batter is all at sea as
10 what kind of delivery 10 prepare for,
but is frequently aided by some Of his fei-
ow-players, who occasionally get on to the
catcher's signs and tip them of This, how
a. .sy-f..
the foxy members of the Philadelphia Club,
hence the establishment of the observatory,
which is located in the grand stand directly
opposite the catcher's position. This look
out is surrounded by an awning in which
is located the operator. Morgan Murphy is
chief Of this signal service bureau as well
as operator. When the game starts he takes
his position and when the local batter comes
10 the plate Morgan focuses the situation
with his glass, getting the catcher's signal,
which he soon learns, and By the time the
catcher arises from his STOPPING position the
batter learns from a signal from the OBJ
servaiory just what kind of a ball to ex-
pect. The signals are given by certain
manipulations Of the side curtains of the
observatory, the movement of the right
hand curtain with certain manipulations
means certain thing: the same signal with
the left one meaning something else In
| fact, the signal business is down TO such
fine point that the batters seldom make
mistakes
The advantage OF this scheme can
scarcely be estimated and the wonderful
batting of the club is easily accounted for
i In the Washington game, upon the local
| grounds last week, with Dinneen in the
| box. Murphy did not work the observa-
tory racket, consequently the Quakers
| were so seriously Handicapped that they
1 came near being shut out without a run
Away from home the signal service Off
Ger can work the same scheme but not
so conveniently. Where il is possible TO
do so. he viii get upon the roof of an
| adjacent building and give the signals by
a handkerchief manipulation. Backstop
| kittridge was among the first to get onto
this snap, and he had some fun With
/ Murphy and the betters by crossing his
signs or what would be better under
stood. by reversing his signals. For in
stance. he would give the sign for low
curve ball, which, by prearrangement
with the pitcher, would mean straight
swift one. Morgan, of course, would give
the signal for the curve ball. Kittridge
says the confusion which grew out OF
this was amusing. Murphy shut up shor
and soon took his seat upon the bench
and was surrounded by the other players
who were cogniZant OF the fact that q
| cog had been slipped somewhere. Kit
fridge enjoyed their discontinue and gave
!, ! them the laugh. Said one of the Phila-
delphia players: Morgan Murphy ha.
earned every dollar of his salary thi,
season. Had 1t not been for the sigma
service department we would be In th'
second division. as every game we hav'