The sun., 1907-08-18

the ball il hit on the lower edge and have
considerable spin to them.
Wagner, a fine batsman ana one OF those
free hitters who connect with any kind of a
ball, ia another Of whom il may be said that
he sometimes hits a ball too hard for dis
tance. The ball, having been reversed by
the bat, may go straight as bullet. but
having started at downward slant de-
scribes no arc at all and tears into the
ground. This naturally robs il OF some Of
its speed and converts into one base hit
what would have been two bagger or better
had the hall gone up trifie AZ IL left the hat
But the Dutchman lands SO hard that what
would be an out for a ball struck with less
force but in precisely the same way be-
comes a base hit with him.
Wagner's hard hitting prowess Is further
shown by the way his curving fly balls
carry when there is any sort Of solidty
to the hit. three-quarter impact-the
ball being struck below the middle-would
be an ordinary outfield fly and sure
out il made by anybody putting less force
in the blow than does the bury Teuton.
Wagner, however, does not always take
long swing He can shift his style and
chop a ball, but he generally gets force
and therefore makes more hits OF balls
hit on the handle than most players
that is. a ball hit on the handle by him is
more likely to 60 safe than II made by
a less robust slammer.
IIajoie is an easy hard hitter, so to speak.
He does not wrench himself when he swings.
Every part Of him is under control and
adjusted TO what he wants to do: He
never is out Of position: but with all the
apparent ease of his swing there is severity
in II because 1t is 50 accurate. He sends
ball with destructive force when he
meets il OH the nose. His long line flies
seem to gather speed, and the nerviest
infielders do not relish the task OF being
called on to stop one OF his smashes coming
straight at them. There are times when
it's the better part Of valor to side step.
When Johnny McGraw was playing ball
he was a very hard hitter despite his lack
Of weight. Miller Huggins Of the Cincin-
punch. He can wallop them on a bee line
and give the outfielders a chase. He
meets the ball nicely. Cobb OF the Detroits
is a slashing hitter. He sends many balls
Sam Crawford Of the Tiger team hits hard
and drives the hall for long distances.
SO does Harry Davis Of the Philadelphia
Americans-as wicked sticksmith as
there 10. Davis is a dangerous hitter at
all times. having a free. powerful wrist
to go TO the fence. He is perhaps the best
distance hitter in the game. His record
last year was forty two baggers, eight
three baggers and twelve home runs.
Both Davis and Crawford make a con-
siderable proportion OF their hits by the
aerial route. by whaling the bulb with such
force that il sails over fielders' heads.
Crawford makes fewer home runs and fewer
two baggers than Davis but more three
baggers, difference in the application OF
force hard to explain. Last year he made
two home runs, twenty-three two baggers
and sixteen three baggers. It appears
that for extreme distance he does not hit
as hard az Davis or as hard for mean dis
tance, but harder for distance between
mean and extreme a fine point in science,
on which the elevation impaired to the ball
probably has a bearing.
Elmer Flick and Ralph Seybold are pow
erful wielders Of the stick, and much
smaller man who puInmels the globe vi
ciously is Topsy Hartsel who lands with a
force worthy Of q heavyweight. His drives 20
sharply and straight. Hickey Of the NewYork
American MS in a hard line hitter. swinging the
ball around 10 the right and likely 10 propel
il 70 the fence. All OF his weight is In his
swing. but he is by no means as reliable
Q batter as some who land with lees force.
Charley Hiclspnan. he OF the numerous
homes,is baH breaker when he lanas r'gat.