The Leon reporter., 1901-07-25
: 81 w. A. SULLIVAN

w. "A. oUlALlN AN,
pitchers give their own signals. Every
throw to the bases in an attempt to
catch the runner mapping is called for
by sign from the baseman to the
catcher. Only when a runner tries to
steal is no sign given, and then all
are watching the play and know what
is expected.
Watching Pitcher and Bases.
Ihus the catcher has to watch the
pitcher and basemen in addition to the
purely mechanical work OF his posi-
ton. This is to say nothing of the
value of old and experienced men in
steadying young pitchers and in indi-
eating to them what balls to try on
batsmen with whose weaknesses they
are familiar. Headwork and GOODNESS
count as much behind the bat as any
where except in the pitchers box.
Ny method of steadying pitcher is
to first try to slow him up and let him
get his bearings again. Walk down
with the ball and hand it to him, say
Ing something encouraging or offer ad-
vice If he seems to need any. Stop to
fasten your chest protector, adjust your
mask, or tie your shoe, anything to
gain time if the situation is critical
and the pitchers wildness only tenn
porary. If the pitcher, however, shows
continued tendency to throw the ball
little wide of the plate move to the
other side, and in aiming, for you he
will send the ball over the pan. Often
these things will help out not little.
In working with my pitchers usual
aly give the signals. although often the
pitcher with two strikes on the bats
man will want to try a certain ball or
has an idea on the subject. But after
working several games with the same
pitcher you know pretty well what he
prefers to offer, and there is seldom
change of signals. With Griffith 1
never use signals at all, except when
men are on bases. He does not use ex-
treme speed and has such excellent
control it is easy to catch him. On
the third strike like to know where
the ball is coming to avoid a passed
ball, SO as to be ready for a throw on
an attempted steal.
When tho Test Gomez,
It Is when men are on bases that
the pitcher and catcher are put to the
severest strain. The pitcher is offer
ing the very best ball in his category,
and the catcher is at high tension to
prevent stolen bases. Often a pitcher
with a slow delivery will handicap his
catcher into wild throws, but on the
white stockings none of the pitchers
are bad to catch in that respect. With
men on bases you must set yourself for
a throw on every ball pitched, for the
base runner may attempt a steal any
time.
If the runner is on first and likely to
teal second, or the shortstop or second
baseman signal for a throw to the mid
die bag to catch runner mapping, in
stinctively you pull back the right foot
as the ball is on its way. Thus you
Catcher of the Chicago Champions.
are poised for the throw, and the ball
strikes your mitt and is away again
without any loss of time If the throw
is to third the left foot comes back so
you can throw past the batsman. Few
people have any idea how clever
batsman can hamper a catcher who is
forced to get his throws away with
quick snap. l formerly played short
stop and can throw much better from
second to the plate than from the plate
to second.
A Trick Explained.
Many spectators wonder why, with
men on bases, the pitcher does not put
the first ball over the plate and trust
to luck in forcing the man out at sec
Ond. Often this is due to the catcher.
Sometimes when am sure of my
pitcher, and know he has control. I
signal him to waste the first two balls |
in an attempt to coax the man on first
base to try to steal second. Then with
the ball coming where the batsman
cannot we'll hit it, l am ready for the
throw. Signals from the basemen to
the catcher for throws to the bag do
not catch runner very often, but they
are worth trying, and moreover hold
the runner closer to the bag and are
Invaluable for that reason, because a
traction Of second often determines
the difference between put-out and
safety to the runner. The catcher and
basemen must work together, and a
catcher will not throw without sig
nal.
The pitcher usually determines for
himself when to throw the ball to base
to catch punner and when to de-
liver 1t to the plate. Some catchers
signal on these occasions, but have
tried It ands found that it is likely to !
cause confusion. So many different
PLAYERS are concerned that one may be
on balance r out of his position when
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