The Washington herald., 1909-07-11
By HARRY DAVIS,
Captain Of the Athletes

creased IN difficulties IN the course OF the
last ten years.
It used 70 be that the man who played
the bag was picked hrst Tor his ability 70
hir the bali That was the main consider
alton. He had TO be a slugger, who could
hit fourth IN the batting order and chase
the runs home with long drives
Then II he could catch thrown beh be
was decided 10 have the qualifications
When a man could hit, but, was too slow
70 play any other position. he was cecid-
ed 10 be good material FOR first base A
decade ago used 10 see the position played
by men 80 big that they never dared move
very FAR away from the bag FOR fear they
couldn't get back 10 It in time.
But the day for that kind Of hrst
baseman has gone. and the boy who has
ambitions 70 play the bag wants 10 learn
how 70 be a modern first baseman, the
scientific kind who handles bunts, who
pays Just as much attention 70 plays al
the other bases as the other infelders 90
70 plays az first base.
Tenney Opened Their Eyes.
It nav be said without injustice TO any
other first basemaa that Fred Tenney was
the first to show the Fun possibilities Of
the position
AT Brown he had obeen a catcher, but
being left-handed he was handicapped
He went 10 Boston 20 catch. but one day
suggested that he would Ike 70 try first
base. He lacked the height that used 10
be considered essential fer one who would
play the bag. but he got ehe chance. and
from that time on baseball saw q new
kind OF frst sacker.
Tenney dashed in and deided bunts,
where either the pitcher OF the second
baseman covered the bag With men on
/ first and second he forced runners az
third by quick throws. and with man on
first he would field the ball 70 second.
I then dash back in time 10 get the ball az
/ first for the out that completed double
play.
] Chase and Donohue are similar exam
pies OF great fielding first basemen who
/ are left-hsnded. But a man doesn't have
! 70 be ieft-handed in order 10 play the bag
well. There are Chance. of Chicago
/ Brsnsfeld. OF the PhiIlies. as samples o.
stars who throw with the other hand.
I To the boy Just breaking in I should say
hrst be careful in picking out your glove
Let 4 be a soft light affair This can be
/ handled much more accurately than q
eatcher,s heavy uitt-
The catcher cannot hold the bail one
handed IN his glOve-something the tirs'
baseman must do on balls that are
thrown a little BIZ wide. often by reach
ing for a BAH one-handed you can keeI
your foot on the bag and thus gain put
9TH 10. frr-#
Make Thrown Balls Easy.
There Is quite an art IN catching I
thrown bali. too. Always lean forwar,
and meet j. In this way you save frac
ton OF a second
Many g time a feet base-runner get
credit for q hit because the first basemai
CID not reach out and get the bah a
quickly as he should
Meet the ball with the hands well ou
from the body and then give back, an
the hardest throws viii be easy 70 har
de. Unless you let the hands 90 bac
with the ban you are sub3ecting you
: hands 70 a needless hammering. and n
!, first thing you know they VIII be 81 sor
that you cannot play
one OF the most diaeult things sbOu
I the first baseman's Job IS 20 learn 20 kee
the TOE on the bag while making N
catch. This can only be accomplished a
. the result OF long training The frs
baseman dare not look for The bag b
must know how 70 find Il BY instinct
Il IS also necessary 20 know how 20 shi.
. the feet quickly while reaching for
: thrown ball This assists 2 whole lot
= getting widely thrown balls. which migf
; otherwise get by.
Il Is the bunt and the inheld tap ths
have added most 10 the troubles OF q
} first baseman-
When a man reaches frst Base q is
good bet. provided no one IS out. the ne,
halter VIII sacrifice.
The third baseman naturally comes 4
the pitcher is looking for the bunt, 20
TIE first baseman has three things
keep IN mind He must hold the runn'
close TO the bag. so that he does not g
too biz a start; he must Be ready 20 re
q bunt that the pitcher cannot reach. ar
he rlusJ be ready 90 take the throw. pr
vided the ball goes 70 the pitcher. z
third basenan- or the second basemdn-
N order 10 accomplish al this the be
way 20 do Is 20 play Just inside the ba
/ with he heels touching the corner tOWal
the pitcher.
III You are then in position 10 tag the rul
I ner shodfd>tle pitcher or catcher throw
catch him mapping. fou are also reat
I 10 run into the diamond to get the bur
Run in on every BAN just as soon
| you see the pitcher start 70 wind up--
Fielding Ball to Pitcher.
II you are called on 70 field the bur
| don't wait TIL the pitcher Is on the b,
/ before throwing the bail. for then y
/ force him 20 make an abrupS stop 10 z
/ the ball and increase the lIkelihoOd Of &
; error Throw the ball carefully az q
bag. timing IT so that It viii reach the
lust as the pitcher crosses the bag. tn
his foot viii be on the bag as he "a
y across This also takes him ont OF Ga
ser OF a collision with the runner
Often Il IS the second baseman who "
cover the bag. Then you can throw har
q er. for be Is used to handling swii
e thrown balls
% When YOU are holding q runner on fr
4 base have an understanding with pitch
and catcher when the ball is 20 be throw
r 70 YOU II either OF them lets Il come
Q you Unexpectedly there Is always dang
z or Il getting by.
II on a long hit cover home plate or bai
9 up when you have nothing to do 70 no
! you at first base.
al Don't baik the second baseman On III
o that ne can reach and you can't. After
a little experience with The man playing
side .ro-.- ror- WILL GET 70 know how far