Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-18
HOW SHORTSTOP
SHOULD BE PLAYED

Speaking of the shortstop's position. Nor
man Elberfeld said the other day: NO
TWO men in base ball have the same ideas
ABOUT playing shortstop, just as physicians
lawyers and other professional men have
taelf own way of going about their business
but all are working to accomplish the same
general purpose. In base ball there ara
so many different ends at almost all stages
of the game that it is hard to keen to anv
formulated plan. but there must be one
just the same, and one that is understood
by the men playing with you great
many shortstops rely almost entirely on
signals for their work with the inheld
Frankly, | must confess that | do not
Jimmie Williams, who plays second base
with our club, Is fine fellow to work with
and mighty quick to catch on to any
change that is going to take place some
times when think 1t might be a good
Idea to shift our positions | will call TO
Jimmie. If he does not answer me | don't
move, but remain right there and await de-
velopments. 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 bat
ter. If your pitcher is going to send a
curve ball over, get ready to go In the di-
rection you think 1t is going to take. II
the batter is left-handed try to prepare
yourself to be up and on the go in tho
right direction when he hits the ball Don't
Shift your position at any time unueces-
sarly. If you move about have a reason
for 1t and know what you are about all
the time. Try to read what's In the mind
of the batter and the runners IL there are
any on bases. Try to plan out all the time
plays that are possible under the existing
circumstances. If you can do this it will be
of great value TO you, because you are then
prepared for action when a quick run or a
quick throw is needed to help win game
If 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 It.
If you do some time you will be caught off
your stride and miss an opportunity to do
a good piece of work. l do not believe
much in shortstop going after fly balls.
because If he has to turn and run he is
not in a position to throw after he gets 1t.
The outfielders should come In 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
without going after flies, and IL he will at
tend to the other things that come before
him, will be kept busy Some players do
not believe there Is such a thing as scien-
tific ball They pin their faith entirely on
the hit-and-run Idea, and do not take
any stock in base ball played IN a scien-
tific manner. l cannot agree with the ones
who believe that way. for scientific base
ball Is the greatest game in all this world.
This applies to hitting. base running. base
stealing and. in fact. to every feature of
the game. The squeeze play is the result
of scientific ball. Base stealing is another.
II you are at the bat and of your
team Is on base be doing something to
the ball all the time. II your man gets
a chance and starts to second, hit the ball
swing your bat, reacn out your arms; in
short, help that man to land safely where
he has started. Never mind yourself, but
remember that there is a man ahead OF
and h.ln m RQt nd ma ha los nd
over the home plate. That means a run
for your club that you are a part Of