The Washington herald., 1909-06-20

II the average ian could realize how
little ne really knows OF baseball he
might be less prone 10 criticism.
There IS nothing more refreshing 10
a student Of the game than 70 sit
through some pleasant afternoon in a
hotbed OF fans in stand or bleachers
and hear the Quips handed OUT On The
play as these spectators see t. OF
course the fan pays his good money
20 nonrlsh the sport; then who has a
better right than he 70 air his views?
While the layman doubtless is aware
OF the fact tha, baseball OF to-day
embraces far more than IS shown on
the surface. few. very few. realize the
intricate complications Of inside" base
bah. Far too often are such epithets
as ''bODehead.' lob. ''ivory-skull,' and
the Ike applied 20 the wrong party.
The game IS progressing with the times
The team manager Of to-day is the one
supreme power on whose Judgment a.
most solely depends success or dissp-
pOintment.
The captaincy Of a major league base
ball club OF to-day IS but a hollow honor.
Indeed there is virtually no such ONCE
except IN case OF q strictly bench man
ager, such as George Slallings or Connie
Mack In the latter cases a Held captain
IS essential only so far as handing the
umpires the batting list is concerned and
IN advising officials Of changes that nay
be made from time 10 tine. Ohensively.
the manager directs play. DefensiveIy,
the team. II Il works tremendously, de-
cides its strategies on the spur Of the mo-
ment. that is. so far IS accepting chances
is concerned The felders concerned al
ways ny. but the one who Is Absolutely
sure Of the play calls for the chance and
is invariably allowed 20 stand or fail on
his own judgment
Naturally the position 0f the catcher
gives him best command OF all the stu
atiOns that arise. He faces his other
teammates and can keep strict tab on
the bases. II a base runner stray TOO
far from his station. the catcher flashes
the Intelligence 70 both pitcher and In
fielder concerned The fielder is ready
for the throw when the pitcher wheels
quickly 70 let the ban 60 And II the
base runner is not equally alert ne is
caught mapping
Catcher Has Many signals.
The catcher signals the pitcher the
nature OF eve-y ban he is 70 serve ths
batter. Sometimes the pitcher VIII net
agree with his battery nate on The
point Then the backst0p signals for dif-
ferent kinds OF bali until he hits upon
the one the pitcher thinks VIII 60 the
trick-that is. Of course. II he has faith
IN the twirler's judgment
But not alone the catcher profits by
the sign language OF the battery. The
hawk-eyed infelders and outdelders must
be familiar with every sort OF bah de-
llvered- Both fnfeIders and Outfeiders
have 20 play differently on q fast straight
one 70 what they could on a curve. That
ers shift their positions frequently while
the same man IS AZ hat The center
fielder can see the signal and Re tips OF
his fellOW-gar3ners- The second base
man and shortstop fash the third and
first baseman II these are unable 20 see
for themselves.
OF course the catcher has 70 be guarded
IN his work He must have several sets
Of signals ar his command with which
every one IS familiar. Otherwise a b-atny
4 opponent on second would get on 70 those
signs and In turn Zip or the various Of
ferings 20 the man at bat. A catcher
cannot use the same sign twice before a
rival Then. too. he must guard against
the bstsmsn peekilg back 10 catch his
code. That IS why the backstop st0Ops
1 IN calling for balls He covers the hands.
which are used entirely for battery sig
nails with his gloves and his legs. BY
crOUchinE he shuts OF all possible vision
OF the batsnan.
OF course. battery signals are but one
phrase OF the situation That is the de-
fensive side. OF rather but part OF t. In
felderS often tip OF CaIchers on CT ances
Q - ~ H.
IN turn profit In knowing what is 70 ba
delivered by being able 20 lay for the
batSmen- For example. The sort OF bail
thrown determines whether the second
basemsn or shoT5stOp shall cover the bag
T. IN case Of an attempt % steal by q base
runner. The same tells the inner de-
feuse. IN case a hunt IS anticipated The
direction in which the BAH IS likely 20
SO. Then the second haseuan or short
stop is ready 20 cover first OF third, as
the case may be. while the first baseman
or third baseman goes in for the ball
Opponents Are Always Alert.
These are but a few OF the very
simplest examples OF inside baseball
Nor is il as simple. either. as il al ap-
pears IN print There is always a.
eduaI chance OF the batter or base run
ner crossing the battery or indelders.
for the opposition. TOO. have their Sc
cret codes. and coachers can often ar
ticipate opportunities as readily as the