The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-11

Then it was a clear case Of working
the batsman with a change Of pace
balls just out of reach, or the slow
twister for the purpose Of forcing tho
batsman to raise the ball for fly
catches. This style Of pitching intel
hgently performed was effective for a
time, for in those days the batsman
yripped his willow bat at the extreme
end Of the handle and spread his legs
apart like a sawbuck, often stroking
his whiskers before declaring that he
was ready for the ball.. e g..
= Pitchers Given More Liberty.
AS the batsman improved and leather
chasing became too strenuous for the
outfelders, the pitchers were next al
lowed to walk about the box and then
step as far as they could over the front
line with the distance only forty five
feet. This was in the early eighties
| and half the side must be famed to
make a showing for the pitcher.
The distance for pitching has been
changed at least dozen times. In
forcing the pitchers to keep both feet
on the ground for the second time the
rulemakers got in hot water, as the
| boxmen dubbed together and de-
manded that the rule be changed after
! less than month IS trial. The present
rule of forcing the foot to remain on
the rubber until after the ball was
under way was wise move, but last
season this was not strictly enforced
The Philadelphia Athletic pitchers
were open violators of this rule and
were benefited by the leniency Of the
umpire.
The greatest pitchers the game has
produced were never accused of VIC
/ iating the rules in the box. In fact
they were sticklers for the entire en-
! forcement of the same. Among the
rest, Rusie, Radbourn, Burlington, Mat,
1 thewson, Calvin, Bond, Clarkson
Hutchinson Cy Young. Dineen, Tame
hill, Chesboro, Pawell, Orth, McGin
nifty, "Noodles' Hahn, Lever, Phil
lippi, and many others. The crossfre
should never be allowed, as it amounts
to stepping about the box before de
liyering the ball. The batsman Is
handicapped enough without having te
keep his eye on the gymnastic perform
( ance Of the pitcher going thru his long
winded preliminary motions.
= Tt would help the batting If the
pitchers were cut down to one swing
before delivering the ball to the bat
Every season the pitcher is taking more
time with each batsman, slowing up the
game thereby. Those who can recall
fhe battery work of John Clapp ant
George washington Bradley for st
Louis in 1875 will have to worry along
for their like will hardly appear again
lin baseball. Catcher John Clapp die
only a short time ago at his old hom
in Ithaca, n. Y, while Bradley is flour
ishing a black walnut stick in tn
Quaker city and never misses a bal
game at the Connie Mack preserve.
4 Difference Of Opinion. {
There seems to be a difference o
opinion between Ed Hanlon and othe
major league players about the prope
pitching distance. Hanlon suggest
driving the box man closer to secon
base, while clever players claim tina
by bringing the pitcher closer you wi
+ lessen the effect of the shoots an
curves, as the ball will not brea
properly at a. shorter distanc
& The effect of the matter is that tt
pitchers will find a way to get the pro-
er effect on the ball, mo matter whe1
you place them in a position to wor
the plate.
The Boston public has sympathize
with Lou Criger, and the thought
the catcher being out of the game h;
caused much apprehension among tt
fans. Criger has suffered much sic
ness, but looked better last season thu
any time since coming here. He VI
be. given plenty Of time to regain b
& strength, as the young catchers will
II, worked UP to May, and much is e
pected Of Graham, from the Goa
B League, who is said to be a man wi
can catch every game if necessary.