The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-12
Basketball
 Season Is Now Closed
Final Game At M A. Last Night Won By Mobile 52-1S Mobiles Claims On Southern Championship Are
 Good-Loca Honors to Be Settled Next Thursday

The Mobile Young Mems Christian as- sociation basketball team ran away With the local association last night. Score, 52-1S. The visitors demonstrated the fact that they are head and shoulders above Vanderbilt, and would be an even bet against Columbus
 Mobile has won the championship of the Young Mems Christian association South ern league. and has a team which, in every department of the game. is hard to equal The gulf city has a right to claim the southern championship though she lost to Vanderbilt by one poffft in December This, however. was a victory for the referee, whose tactics threw more than one goal to Vanderbilt.
 Mobile has repeatedly challenged Co., lumbus and made every conceivable offer without success. Manager Howard not only offered to meet them anywhere on neutral floor, but tried to get a game in Columbus. This refusal on Columbus part to meet the big fellows gives them open right to the championship of the south.
 At the same time this department is not willing to choose between Columbus and Mobile for the strongest team. What the Georgians have in speed and quick ness is balanced by the height. weight and headwork of the giants. There is no choice.
 Referee Messer, who is quite an au- thority on basketball, and has worked with both teams, is of the opinion that 
 as possible without running the risk of being trapped on quick, accurate throw. In this way the least tumble by an out fielder gives an extra base. But one should also use variations of the play. For example, it is not bad idea once in while to turn quickly as if to get back to first. This will often taken the fielder off his guard He may throw the ball leisurely to second, in which case 1t Is easy to beat the throw to that cushion. Or bluff attempt at second may make him hurry so that he will throw wildly. It is in such plays as these that the heady, resourceful man is often able to break up 8 game.
 In this battle of wits the one who can outguess his rivals is the winner. Always worry the pitcher and catcher. be lead ing off as far as possible and bluffing It helps the batter and throws the op- position off its guard, as to what you really intend Never try to steal unless absolutely sure you can get the jump on the others Never steal unless you have tipped off the batter. He must protect you If the foe has outguessed you.
 To be good base-runner one mutt know how to slide properly. The principal is
 ..1~. players. Always slide opposite to the di- rection in which the fielder will take a throw. A high throw naturally goes in back of th9 base line. On such slide to the inside of the bag. A low throw pulls the baseman to the inside. In this case circle him from behind.
 Methods of Sliding
 No two have the same method of slid ing. Some try for the bag feet first. There is less personal risk. On close play I generally prefer to slide head first. Thus I can always keep the base in sight. can depend on the dexterity of my body to flop out of reach of the ball and can use my hands as an anchor. There are hook slides and fall away slides, and many other kinds. Space will not permit their various descriptions. One and all have the same object To ex- POet lit ltdct OA SOui pOi-Sih " N'i~ player taking the throw is the idea. This means to keep most of the body out of tagging distance.
 The slide varies with the baseman. Some like throws to one side, while others may excel just the opposite way. Always put yourself in such position that it will be hardest fo the foe to tag you. Study and practice alone make per feet at this
 Base stealing is not base running. The old Cleveland team illustrates that. What greater base stealers could be found thah Bay, Bradley, Flick, Lajoie and Turner? And what greater aggregation of hitters, with Clarke and Stovall thrown in? Yet that team was very bad at base run ning The players tossed off more runs than they scored simply because they failed to grasp their opportunities. It Is a bad base running aggregation and this cost Lajoie pennants
 Body of Louis James Cremated