The Elbert County tribune., 1907-06-13

Speaking of the shortstop's position.
Norman Elberfeld. shortstop of the
New YORK American league team. said
the other day: mo two men in base
ball have the same ideas about nlay-
ing shortstop, just as physicians, law.
yers, and other professional men have
their own way of going about their
business, but all working to accom-
plish the same general purpose. In
baseball there are so many different
ends at almost all stages of the game
that 1t is hard to keep any formulated
plan, but there must be one lust the
same, and one that is understood by
the men playing with you A great
many shortstops rely almost entirely
on signals for their work with the in
field. Frankly, l must confess that
do not
Jimmie Williams. who plays sec
ond base with our club, is fine fellow
TO work with and mighty quick to
catch on to any change that is 60
ing to take place. Sometimes when
l think 1t might be good idea to
shift our positions | will call to Jim.
mie. III he does not answer me | don't
move, Dut remain right there and
await developments. Generally that
is the proper thing to do and works
out all right. Know the movements
OF the pitchers on your team. Watch
them all the time and keep an eye on
the KIND OF ball they are about to
pitch. At the same time watch the
batter.
III your pitcher is going to send a
curve ball over. get ready to go in the
direction you think 1t is going to take.
Ii the batter Is left handed try to pre-.
pare yourself to be up and ON the 70
in the right direction when he hits the
ball. Don't shift your position at any
time unnecessarily. II you move
ABOUT nave reason for it and know
what you are about all the time. Try
to read what's in the mind of the bat.
ter and the runners If there are any
on bases. Try to plan out all the time
plays that are possible under the ex.
listing circumstances. If you can do
this 1t will be of great value to YOU
because you are then prepared for ac.
tion when quick run or a quick
throw is needed to help win a game.
ii there is runner on base | never
shift my position unless the catcher
has the ball In his hands.
This will prevent many stolen
bases II adhered to at all times. Never
move out of your place while the
pitcher has the ball or as he delivers
1t. II you do some time you will be
caught off your stride and miss oppor.
tunity to do good piece of work. ]
90 not believe much in shortstop go.
ing after fly balls, because if he has
TO turn and run he is not in a posi-.
tion to throw after he gets 1t. The
outfielders should come tn for balls
of that kind. They are in a natural
position to get them and can throw
without having to turn.
A shortstop has enough to do with.
out going after flies, and if he will at.
tend to the other things that come
before him, will be kept busy. Some
players do not believe there is such
thing as scientific ball They pin
their faith entirely on the hit-and-run
idea, and do not take any stock in
baseball played in scientific man
nsr.
IF your man gets chance and
starts to second. hit the ball, swing
your bat, reach out your arms; in
short, help that man to land safely
where he has started. Never MIND
yourself. but remember that there
lis man ahead of you and help him
get around the bags and over the
aome plate. That means a run fol