The Topeka state journal., 1904-06-13
HOW N1cGINNITY DOES IT.
''The Iron Man Explains How He
Pitches Winning Ball.

New York, June 13.-"With the one
idea ever in mind that the secret of
successful pitching is to mix 'em up
have always worked hard since I have
been pitching professional ball to vary
my style of delivery so as to fool the
batter, or at least make his efforts to
smash the ball a little more difficult, -
said Joe McGinnity. He goes on: THAT
is why I have worked steadily for five
years to perfect my raise ball, affec-
tionately called old Sal by the Giants.
BILLY Rhines of the Cincinnati club
was the first pitcher I ever saw use the
raise ball. He could throw the ball
with considerable speed, but could not.
or rather did not, try to curve it After
many months of practice, I was able TO
pitch the raise ball with a curve, and
good judges of the game have given me
credit for making good use of my
knowledge.
THE ball have found very effective
this season can be called a cross-fire
curve. There have been many pitchers
with a good cross-fire delivery, but I
don't know of any that used a curve
with it. have always thought that TO
add a curve to the crOss-fire would be
Just what was needed to stop batSmen
from placing the ball. All players like
to hit to right field, particularly when
there are men on the bases. A nice
single to right, with a man on first,
makes it almost sure for the man on
the base to reach third. The latter also
has an excellent chance of reaching
second if play is made on the preced-
ing runner.
Just to fool the right field hitters. if
possible, I worked all last winter to de-
velop a cross-fire curve. I tried it last
season on several occasions, and I was
satisfied I could control the pitch with
sufficient practice. 1 may say the re-
suit of my work so far is up to my
homes
ITO deliver this ball step to the ex-
treme right of the pitchers box, of
course, keeping one foot on the rubber,
according to the rules. L then send the
ball to the batter with a wide out
curve. BY the time it reaches the plate
it appears almost as though the third
baseman had thrown the ball. 1t is
nearly impossible for a batsman to
turn that ball into a safe right field
hit. He is more apt to bang it along
the third base line I never pitch a ball
but the fielder knows what is coming.
Therefore, if things work right, they
have a great chance of being about
where the ball is hit to.
Il said if things come right That
is one of the great secrets of any sue
cess a. pitcher may achieve. We all get
our bumps and get them good and plen-
ty. AS for myself, I mean to keep on
working all the time to prepare for new
conditions. I will say right now that
will spring a new one on the BOYS next
will do so next winter when I get to
my home in the Indian Territory
''I have been asked frequently this
season whether I am hampered in my
work by the strict enforcement of the
balk rule. To a certain extent I am;
that is, when there are runners on the
bases. At that I have not found it a
hardship I understand some of the
pitchers complain the rule has hurt
them in their delivery. I am not com
planning and I am perfectly willing to
take my chances with the others. If
the rule helps the best runners in 9TH
er clubs it will also help the men on
our team And I think everybody will
admit the Giants are in the game with