Evening journal., 1910-09-27
REMNANTS DEPEND
ON SIGNAL CODES
Clever Wireless Systems Aid
Ball Teams to Capture
Flag
UNIQUE TIPS USED
BY TEAM MANAGERS

IN these Qdyt Ol payers
we have crack pinch hitters in con-
trast with all-around hard sluggers,
lightning base stealers playing
against those who rely on sacrifice
hunts and a whole throng Of players
who are experts in their specific de-
partments No player, however. relies
entirely on his own knowledge and
skill. but keeps his attention on the
system OF signals used in his club
Every now and then some wise lad,
who watches his baseball closely, sits
down and grinds out a tale endeavor-
ing to show Just how important sig
mails are in baseball. And promptly |
some person on the side lines arises.
emits a derisive boot and proceeds to
devote columns of space 10 knocking /
the signal story.
There is no doubt the signals play |
mighty important part in baseball |
not only in the two big leagues, but In |
every league team in the country In |
fact it would be pretty hard to find |
first class amateur team which |
isn't there with the signals.
And by signals is meant the sig
nails for the shifting of players for GER |
tain batters, signals warning the in
delders just when the pitcher is about |
to offer the batter, signals STIMULATING
which man shall take the throw at
second and these signals are flashed |
from the inielders to the outfelders. /
so that every one OF the nine men |
in the field knows Just exactly what |
the defensive plan on the batter and |
runner is.
Other Side Has Signals.
OF course. the team on the offensive
is there with the signals also. Every /
time man goes 10 the plate he has
orders instrucing him what he Is 70
try to do at the bat. The signal is
tipped to the runner il there is a run
ner, and the entire success Of the
teams attack depends on the proper
working out of the play which the
manager or captain has devised
majority of the managers in the
two big leagues keep busy on the !
coaching line The manager watches
The batter and the baserunner watches
the manager or The manager may be
on the bench. It's a cinch That he
isn't going to delay the game, call his
men in from the coaching box and in
struct them what play he wants.
Instead Of this he flashes the signal
for the play to the coacher, or else
the batter does It when he takes his q
position at the plate Both coachers =
arc watching. and they in turn tip OIL
the play to the runner. Sounds sim
pie. doesn't it, But II isn't, by a long
shot.
The Chicago Cubs have been known
to change signals as often as six
times in one game. jennings is fond
of doing the same thing, aud signal
practice Is about as important as bat
ting and fielding practice for the up /
tO-datc team which Is making a tight /
: for-hsaors In its league.
Every Tan ~fu~rhe country is familiar
with the antics OF Jennings on the
coaching line. Jennings pulls up the
grass. chcWs IT, dances on one foot |
kicks. shouts and clasps his hands. OF /
course part Of this is for the effect |
10 may have on the opposing players,
particularly the pitcher. Il Is a pref
ty hard thing to locate a plate when
good imitation of a Sioux Indian is
dancing and yelling beside you. But
there is more than this In the move
ments of Jennings. His players know
what signal his actions convey. while
TO the ordinary observer he seems to
be expressing only his enthusiasm.
McGraw the great manager of the
Giants, has a different method OF pro-
Rdurc from the coaching line, but he
is about as effective.
MctirRW Hands Hot Air.
McGraw has a line of sarcasm guar {
anteed TO scorch the paint of a new
house. which he delights in turning !
loose on the opposing players as long
as the umpires will stand for IT, But
his set of signals is unique. One word
Ia his food of billingsgate which he is
directing at the opponents does the
business for the Giants. That one
word directs the attack. Or II may be
a pull at his cap, one arm hanging list
lessly at his side or a thousand and
one other things calculated TO wise his
men to what he wants and TO keep the
other fellows from getting on to his
play.
Connie Mack Is another big league |
manager who is strong on signals /
Mack never deserts the corner of the /
bench. but his men know what he |
wants them to do. Mack is always
equipped with "A score book and a
lead pencil and THESE apparently
harmless articles play a prominent
part IN the intricate system of signal
ing which the foxy leader of the Ath-
letics has devised.
On the defense the field captain
may direct the team, OF the catcher
may be. and usually is. the one TO
fash the signals to the infelders, ex-
planning in the code just what is TO
be attempted. Usually the second
baseman or the shortstop repeats the
signals TO the outfelders, so that ev-
cry man knows what is about to be
tried and every man is ready for the
play
OF course. signals are often solved
BY the opposing players. Johnny
nvors, OF the Cubs, is one of the best
IN the business at turning this trick
but one set Of signals does not ex-
haust the repertoire Of a ball team
The team can change about as often
as it becomes wise that its signals are
being tipped of. and most of the big
fellows change the signals against diff
ierent teams.
RRoxVNTOurN AETrp pl.rpS