The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-30
CATCHER PROBLEM
MUST Be SOLVED
Arrival Of Youngster Malcomson
Calls for Some Action in
Receiver Department.
COWAN MUCH IMPROVED
MESSITT GOING SLOW
Younger Man is Working Well
Now While Veteran is
Not in Good
Form.

The catcher problem that has been
staring the Colts in the face practi-
caify ali season has not yet been sotv-
ed, but from present indications an
Improvement II on the way. and 1t may
be expected that before long there will
be big Improvement in this Depart
ment.
The release Of Irvine. after he had
done such good work for the club.
raised quite howl. since It was be-
lieved that he was the most capable
receiver with the club. The fact that
Irvine was let 20 while Cowan was
held did not meet with the approval OF
anyone who had seen the two men
work behind the plate.
But Cowan has undergone somewhat
OF a change and for the past few
weeks has been putting up q good
article OF ball In the position. Base
runners no longer run wild ON him, as
In former games, and ne seems to be
able to work very well with any Of the
local twirlers.
1t In a welcome sight to see Cowan
pick UP in his work. since he 10 q local
boy and most Of the fans want to see
him. stay here. Earlier in the season
when Irvine was with the club any
everyone noticed Cowan's mediocre
work II was believed that he had no
chance whatever to retain his posi-
ton.
He suddenly picked up. however, and
1t is now quite probable that Lawlor
would not release him under any con-
sideration--that In, unless he was
about to sign up some star receiver.
The fact that Steve Griffin. OF the Dan
willie club, tried to purchase Cowan
recently indicates that he In thought
something Of m receiver. At any
rate, his work with the Colts has Of
late been very satisfactory. His arm
II strong and true and he 10 often
able to connect safely with the ball
when hit Is needed.
Messitt has not been going very well
this year and has been considered q
weak point In the lineup for some
time. He has q great head and han
dies the twirlsrs well. but he 10 slow
on his feet. cannot peg to second A
well az he should. and II weak with
the stick. POP" IL a favorfte. though,
II he should be let go at this late stage
Of the season.
Maieomson Looks Good.
Yet there IL a youngster In camp
and IL he proves stronger than one
of the present receivers somebody VIII
have to go. Malcomson looks good.
from what has already been seen OF
him. One thing II certain. he is the
best thrower that has been seen on
the local grounds since the big league
teams left here this spring.
Malcomson has the peg that 10 re-
Sweeney. the famous backstop OF the
Yankees, was worthless some time ago
on account Of the way he made his
peg to second. He has improved his
form now. however. and n being spo-
ken OF ~ the best catcher In the
American League.
The method Of throwing practiced
by the big catchers II to draw the arm
back only a short distance and whip
the ball to second The hand does not
go back further than on = line with
the shoulder and IL mot drawn back Of
the head. as most cAtchers do who
have not perfected the throw.
Malcomson has the proper style and
the ball goes to second like . shot and
as straight as II from the mouth OF
a cannon. There win be few bases
stolen on this youngster IL he goes In
for a trial with the Colts.
If Malcomson should make good
either Messitt or Cowan viii have to
20. 1t will be hard matter for Law
Ior to decide. Cowan ID young and
active and Is going WELL while Mes
slit II getting slow and b not going
at his best. Yet the veteran has been
with the Colts a long tima and II would
be d hard matter to cut him or In the
middle of the season. especially since
II ID probably his last year In baseball.