Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-29
NOVEL PLAN To
IMPROVE BASE BALL
Shortstop EIberfeId Wants Bat
tiers to Run to Third as Well
as First Base.

Norman Elberfeld, the famous guardian
OF the New York Highlanders' short field
garden, has invented or, rather, figured
out brand-new base ball game. Elber-
feds idea, II given a thorough trial next
spring, will no doubt create mild sensa-
ton in the base ball world. The scheme Is
most unique from every angle In fact, at
first thought the average expert would
be prone to laugh at "Shorty's' idea, but
after the. innovation Is fully explained
the idea grows upon one fast, and many
combinations for new plays appear.
Here's the basis for Mr.. Elberfeld's
game: The man who originally invented"
the present game. or the old games Of
town ball, rounds and old cat. from which
1t sprung. was evidently a right-handed
athlete-he also batted right-handed, and
when he hit the ball his first move was to
called first base, thus following out that
natural characteristic of almost every hui
man being to use his right hand, right
foot and move in that direction.
Thus we have been chasing down to
first ever since. Now comes the little st.
Louis boy with an idea which Is just as
good as that Of the original inventor of
the game
Elberfeld's Novel Plan.
Instead Of compelling every batsman
to run to first base after hitting the ball.
Shorty" suggests that the first batsman
up in each inning have the right to
choose-on the quiet-whether he shall run
to first or third base. Then II he makes
a bingle and breaks for third he will be
compelled to chase to second, across to
flrst and then come home from that side of
the diamond ~Of course. the batsmen who
follow him in each inning must continue to
make the circuit the same way.
fnd and OJlff1olHnra well.
will be up in the air. when the first
batter comes up. They will have to trust
to luck to get him. or try to outguess him.
The third baseman will have to be a COM
bination Of both first and third baseman.
And over at sack No. the gentleman
there will have to do third-base duty, and
also work a first sacker.
The uncertainty Of just where the bats
man will make for Is where the fun will
come in. If he makes up his mind to
head for third. he will naturally try to
thus making him the third sacker for the
inning. This will make our second sacker
the shortstop, and the shortstop the second
sacker.
Would Develop Infeld.
With the runners continually reversing
their direction on the bases, the inflelders
would gradually develop into all-around
inf1e,ders Dead wings on first would
be g. thing OF the past. as Mr.. First Stacker
swing across to third. Then the pitchers
would get a whole lot Of exercise chasing
over to third one moment and then
switching over to cover first on bunts.
The Idea would keep every man on the
infleld awake. 1t would certainly make a
hit with the fans, as II would do away
with a lot Of mechanical batting and
fielding. Then the shortstop and second
sacker would have to be men who could
work to both the right and left sides-not
one siders as many of them are at present.
The idea is not bad one. Why wouldn't
be Just as propsr, TO- run to third as
a lot Of excitement In the stands.
Elberfeld's Standing Steal.
Elberfeld is dead serious about this new
game. He has the backing of Manager
Clark Griffith as we'll. Elberfeld. be it
the base ball world. He and Griffith are
credited with being the originators Of the
"suueeze' play and many other winning
points of the game
Elberfed sprung his famous standing
steal for the first time on Wednes-
day last. He figured this steal out while
he was laid up in New York suffering
having 0oded with George Stone at Sec
Ond base.
Shorty" anxious to eliminate the long,
dangerous sliding Of basemen into second,
lined up his scheme like this:
Instead Of dancing of first and try
ing to steal second on every ball pitched,
will simply loaf q few feet off the sack
and not worry the pitcher. Then he will
think I have no idea to steal. This also
throws the catcher of as well. ~
when a slow ball Is sent over I will
jump into the air and leg for second. The
second baseman and shortstop won't be
there, because they were not looking for
me-see!'
The Kid worked this system out per-
fectly. He was on first, "jawing'' with Tom
Jones, slowly. but surely, snailing his way
toward second
Powell never noticed him, neither did
OConnor Then Powell sent over one of
his hoaters and the Kid broke like an