The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1910-09-15
STORIES or
The DIAMOND.
Topsy" HartseI Talks About
Duties Of an 0uttieIdeT.
HE MUST Be GOOD JUDGE.
Player Should Know Whsrs Ball VIII
Fall-Aecuraey and Quickness Abso-
lutsly Rsquirsd-What to Do When
Hit Is Mads-Valus of Good Throw.
No. XVII.
BY "TOPSY" HAIR TSEL

No. XVII.
BY -TOPSY" HARTsEL.
copyright. 1910. by American Press Asso-
cistion.l
Do ! consider playing the outfield
easy compared with other positions on
II ball team: should say not While
he mas not IA much to do as fhe in
feeders, catcher or pitcher. the out
fielder has not u cinrh by any means.
There are many qualities that player
must POSSESS before he can be called
an expert ouftipIder. First OF all be
must be good judge of hy balls.
quick and accurate. Judgment 10 tell
ing where the ball will fall is not all
that is necessary He must be able 10
determine In d fraction of second
how to catch the ball, where TO throw
IL and how 10 throw II. He must know
whether TO run up and try to smother
low bit ball or play 1t safely. that
Is. wait and take II on the bound. and
his judgment. combined with his MEM
DRY, must tell him where this or that
batter Is going TO hit rhe ball. The
first thing a major league ball outfield-
er must learn 10 do is how 10 handle
the ball after a single is made. This
Is puZzling TO many. The first thing
an oufdelder should do is 10 get the
ball TO second base as soon as possible
That is where II belongs. whether q
single has been made TO right. left or
center. The object is. of course. TO
hold the runner on first sack. If the
runner sees that you are about TO
make a mistake and throw the ball
to the pitcher or. perhaps. to the
catcher TO attempt to get man run
sure. And the chances are that he
will make the base very easily.
When hit is made with a man on
third sack it is. Of course, impossible to
get him at the plate When a good
clean bit is made with a man on sec
caught AT the plare even by the fastest
outfielder. Throws TO the home plate
are TO be expected more often when
there is fly 10 the outfield with man
on third corner with none or one out
Then the outer gardener has an OPP
portunity to TEST his throwing wing
There il no prettier sight than that of
a long. perfect throw from the Outfeld
which arrives before the runner and
he is tagged out The player who can
make throw like that is admired by
everybody When you can see one that
can do ii right along ask him how he
throws so well and he will answer. by
practicing
Ii must be left entirely TO the judg
ment of the man playing in the Outtield
whether or not he Is TO throw 70 the
plate 10 try 10 get the runner making
for bone after fly 10 the ourtield
Perhaps he has been too far out and no
fielder can make the throw and get
the runner. In such u case and If there
IL a man on first the Outtielder should
not throw to the plate but to second
sack instead If the throw We're made
TO home plare the runner on first would
reach second. and from THAT point he
should make hit.
Ii Is the aim OF nearly every ouTheld-
pr In the majors TO throw the ball low
and straight. II is better for ii TO 90
Into the catcher's mitt on the first
bound. Then il is pretty sure not TO
be 10 high. and the moment he gets
his hands on IL he can rag the runner
put. IT is parionable 10 be deliberate
IN throwing from the outfield TO the
home plate. but not too much time can
be taken. Constant practice in throw
ing 10 the plate can only engender
speed In getting the ball away.
II is very important that the out
1elder should be able 10 know whether
10 run up or 10 wait when rhe ball ia
bit low Low balls are the hardest
.hings the outfielder is called upon 70
which are too low TO catch
% the f1y and too high 70 get on the
bound If he runs in and tries 70
scoop the ball Il is likely 10 get
through his hands and go 10 rhe rear
'ence II be waits for Il on the bound
L Is likely 70 turn suddenly. since
most ourergardens are rough. and get
away from him. The thing that should
Ne uppermoSt in rhe mind Of the out
ielder ar that time should be 10 hold
IN TO the hall and thrust the hand
holding II up as soon as he can. that
he umpire may see that he has caught