The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-03-17

inside play than any of the other po-
sitions that 1 have already written of.
In the first place, to play third corner
one must have plenty of nerve, and If
you are not imbued with this nerve
tonic you may as well make up your
mind that third base is not your po-
sitlon. You must be able to handle all
kinds of hard hit balls, and some of
them come to you as if shot out of
a cannon.
Third base is considered by many as
the hardest position on the team to
play Not because you have more
chances than the other infielders, but
the chances offered in that position are
more difficult to handle. 1t does not
matter how easy the ball comes, as
very often the most difficult part of
the play comes after you have the
ball, as you have to make a long and
perfect throw to first base. You must
keep your wits about you continually
as the foxy batters will bunt, and
those are the most difficult balls you
have to handle, as you have to infield
the ball and make a quick throw to
first base.
1t will help the third basemen to
make a study of the batters. Play
short for those you think are liable
When the pitcher starts to pitch the
ball start in with his arm, and by
doing this it will not take you long to
stop the opposing batters from bunt-
ing. With the base runner on third
work with signs from the pitcher and
catcher. and you will often catch your
man mapping.
When you are playing to catch a
man at the plate, hold him up to the
mr. n nnSitinn with
the pitchers arm as he delivers the
ball. Another thing that will help you
is to work with the shortstop. When
he moves over toward second move
with him in the same direction, as
then you will be able to cover the
gap left open by him. l have found
from experience that you will make
many a play during the season by
swapping the ball underhand to the
bases, where if you took the time to
wind your arm around to throw over
hand the runner will often beat you
by small margin. On throw to
third base from the outfield always
see that the pitcher backs you up. Go
after everything and you will surprise
yourself at some of the plays you will
make.
Second Base the Key.
Second base is the key to the inf1eld,
and the man who plays the position
must be active with both feet and
quick thinker. A poor fielder can never
be a successful second baseman. He
must be sure on ground balls and d
sure catch of thrown balls, as he is
called upon many times during the
game to cover second base when a
runner is stealing from first making
double plays and in several other US
ually fast plays. In throwing he must
be able to get the ball away from
him quick. 1t is big advantage to a
second baseman to be able in throwing
to snap the ball undetermined. In Civ
ing the ball to the shortstop for a
double play pass the ball underhand-
ed to your side partner. If you hur-
riedly throw the ball overhanded you
are liable to make wild throw, either
sending the ball over the shortstop's
head or throwing it into the dirt.
With no one on base, play the ball
slow which makes it more sure. With
q base-runner on second play close to
the bag, so as to keep the man from
stealing third, and run to your posi-
ton as the pitcher swings his arm to
pitch the ball A second baseman
ought to work with the other infielders
in a manner that they understand one
shall cover. BY paying strict attention
to this rule you will avoid many mis-
takes. Another good point is to send
the first haSeman after all slow ground
balls, such as bunts by the pitchers
box or down the first base line, and
let the second baseman cover the bag
and receive the throw. second base
man must work with the outfielders
and should take all the short fly balls
in his vicinity, especially those back
OF first base.
Importance of Batting.
My story to the young people who
are anxious to learn how to play ball
is now upon one of the most prominent
features of baseball-that is batting
The most essential point to be a coed
batter is to pick out good balls IT, hit.
Do not lunge at every kind of bail
that the pitcher sends in. '2a patient.
and if you can work the pitcher and
try to get him in a hole; if you can do
this you have him at an advantage.
Stand close to the plate, steo straight
up to meet the ball and do not pull
away from the rubber with tbs foot
nearest the pitcher. Use a short bat
and hold it high up so as to enable you
to hit the ball in line or on tn"
ground. If you hit the ball in the air
yOn Will never De Succe SSIul Dd l.
ter.
Always in game of ball try to do
the unexpected. 1t is not only an adj
vantage in getting in runs, but also
rattles the opposing players and they
become so confused that they do net
know how to play for you. In prac-
tice try place-hitting, so as TO be able
in a game to hit the ball in any part of
the field you like. Hit one ball to right
field, one to left and then to center,
and so on.
DO not forget to learn how 10 bunt,
which is one of the prominent features
of batting the present day. Do not try
LONG drives. but meet the pall win a
short snap and you viii nnd that you
will be more successful. Have plenty
of nerve and try to put int eNc";;tit n
the scientific points you nave tried in
practice.
BY following out the above instruc-
tions | think, from personal experience,
you will prove a more proficient batter
than if you follow out the rule OF go
as-you-please style.
FELTZ MAY GO TO ENGLAND.