Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-09-29
STORIES OF
The DIAMOND
Eddie Collins Talks About the
Art Of Base Running.
SPEED DOESN'T ALWAYS COUNT
Philadelphia Americans Second Sack
er Says the Head Plays as impor-
tant a Part as the Feet-Thinks Star
Base Runners Are Born, Not Made.
No. XIV.

No. XIV.
By EDDIE COLLINS.
copyright. 1910. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
Good base running consists in reach.
ing the base safely; bad base running
consists in being caught. At least that
is the verdict Of the crowd, and ever
IN expert has a hard time to tell
whether the base running is good or
bad. Some of the worst breaks made
on bases win games. and some of the
best result in defeat. The expert can
tell a good base runner by the way he
| gets the start. the ground he gains
while the pitcher is delivering the ball.
the way he slides to the objective base
and the Judgment he uses when steal
ing.
Base running brings out most for
chilly what is in a player. 1t is here
where brains count most. Hitting
ability is a natural gift 1t is ONE
thing that may be improved, but can
not be acquired. Base running is like
hitting. Base runners are born, not
made. In all strategies Of attack as
well as defense speed is a fine equip
ment. 1t is not an essential. Few
ten second men have blossomed into
big league material in the base run
| ming department. Most of them lack
brains. Few use their speed to ad-
vantage. More important than speed
is the ability to get quickly into mo-
ton. The man who always depends
upon a coacher to tell him what to
do will never succeed. A player must
always have the situation in mind.
| He must be ready to take advantage
of every little slip of an opponent.
Making the most of opportunities is
another knack of base running. The
record of stolen bases in a players
average is not always a criterion Of
his ability. There is no better illus
tration afforded than in stretching a
hit.
On a hit to the outfield a runner
should always make the turn to sec
ond. He should run toward the next
bag as far as possible without run-
ming the risk of being trapped by a
quick. accurate throw. One should
also use variations to this play. 1t is
not IA bad idea once in awhile to turn
quickly as if to get back to first. This
will often take the fielder off his guard.
He may throw the ball leisurely, max
ing it easy to beat the throw to the
cushion, or a bluff to take second may
make him throw wildly. 1t is also
good policy to worry the pitcher and
catcher by leading off as far as posi-
BILE and blufing. You not only help
yourself, but if the batter works in
conjunction with you it might lead to
the pitchers losing control.
Another highly important essential
in negotiating bases is the slide. The
principle is easy. although methods
vary as much as the players. Always
slide opposite to the direction in which
the fielder will take the throw. A
high throw naturally goes in back of
the base line. On this one should slide
to the front of the bag. A low throw
brings the baseman in. In this case
the best way is to circle him from be-
hind. No two men have the same meth
DDS of sliding. Some try for the bag
feet first. There is less personal risk.
though when the ground is insecure a
twisted ankle is the result. The slide
varies with the baseman, and expert
ence alone can improve this. Some
like throws to one side. while others
may excel just the opposite way.
There are players in the big leagues
today who never improve in base run
ming. Many have the requisite speed.
but poor managers have done more to
handicap base running than good man
ayers have improved it.