The Washington herald., 1909-07-18
FANS IGNORANT OF
THE INSIDE PLAYS
Criticism of Attendants at
Games UncaIled For.
CATCHER's GREAT IMPORTANCE
His Position Naturally Gives Best
Command of situations 'shat Arise.
Captainey OF Major League Base
ban Club of RO-day but a Hollow
Honor-signaIs a FRctOE.

II the average fan could realize how lit
tic he really knows OF baseball he might
be less prone 10 criticism. There is moth
i1g more refreshing 10 a student of the
same than TO sit through scme pleasant
afternoon IN hotbed Of fans in stand or
bleachers and hear the quips handed out
On the play as these spectators see IT,
OF course. the fan pays his good money
TO nourish the sport: then who has bet
ter right than he 10 air his viewsg
While the layman doubtless is aware Of
the fact that baseball Of to-day embraces
far more than ts shown on the surface,
few. very few. realize the intricate COM
plcations Of inside" baseball. Far too
often are such eplthets as "bone-head.'
lob, ivory skull" and the like applied
u the wrong party. The game is pro-
crossing with the times. The team man
Gger Of to-day is the one supreme power
on whose judgment almost solely depends
success or disappointment
But Little Honor.
The captaincy OF a major league base
ball club OF to-day is but a hollow honor.
Indeed. there is virtually no such Office
except in case Of a strictly bench man
ager. such as George SStsslings or Connie
Mack. IN the latter cases a field captain
IS essential only so far as handing the
umpires the batting list and in advising
officials OF changes that may be made
from time TO time.
Offensively the manager directs play.
Defensively the team. II II works harmo-
piously. decides its strategies on the spur
OF the mOment-that IS so far as accept
ing chances Is concerned. The ielders
concerned always try. but the one who is
absolutely sure OF the play calls for the
chance and Is invariably allowed 10 stand
o. fall on his own judgment
Naturally the position Of the catcher
gives him best command of all the situa-
tions that arise. He faces his other team
mates and can keep strict tab on the
bases. II a base-runner stray too far
from his station, the catcher flashes the
intelligence 10 both pitcher and infielder
concerned. The fielder Is ready for the
throw when the pitcher wheels quickly 10
lei the ball go. And If the base-runner is
not equally alert he is caught mapping.
Importance OF Catcher.
The catcher signals the pitcher the na-
ture Of every ball he is to serve the bat
with his battery mate on the point. Then
the backstop signals for different kinds OF
balls until he hits upon one the pitcher
thinks will do 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 inhelders and Outfielders must be IA
miliar with every sort Of ball delivered.
Both infelders and outhelders have 20
play differently on fast straight one 10
what they could on a curve. That Is why
one may often notice the gardeners shift
their positions frequently while the same
man is at bat. The center fielder can see
the signal and he tips on his fellow-gar-
deners The second baseman and short
stop fash the third and first basenlan II
these are unable to see for themselves.
Of course. the catcher has 10 be guard
ed in his work. He must have several
sets OF signals at his command with
which every one is familiar: otherwise
brainy opponent on second would get on
20 those signs and in turn tip or the
various offerings 70 the man at bat A
catcher cannot use the SAME sign twice
before a rival Then. too. he must guard
against the batsman peeking back to
catch his code. That Is why the backstop
stoOps in calling for balls. He covers
the hands. which are used entirely for
battery signals. with his gloves and his
legs. BY crouching he shuts out all pos
sible vision Of the batsman.
The Battery signals.
or course, battery signals are but one
phase Of the situation. That is the de-
fensive side. or rather but part OF it, In
felders often tip of catchers on chances
10 nail base-rIners- But the infelders IN
turn profit in knowing what is 70 be de-
hvered By being able to lay" for the
batsman.
For example, the sort or bail thrown de-
termines whether the second basemsn or,
shortstop shall cover the bag in case OF
an attempt TO steal by a base-runner.
The same tells the inner defense, in case
a bunt Is anticipated. the direction IN
which the ball IS likely 10 60. Then the
second baseman or shortstop is ready 70
cover first OF third. as the case may be.
While the first baseman or third baseman
goes in for the ball