The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-09-28
No. XIV.

NO. AAN.
BY EDDIE COLLINS.
Copyright, 1910, by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
Good base running consists in reach.
lng the base safely; bad base running
consists in being caught At least that
Is the verdict of the crowd, and even
an 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 q 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
Ind the judgment he uses when steal
ing.
Base running brings out most for
.ibly what is in a player. 1t is here
where brains count most. Hitting
ability is q natural gift. II is some
thing that may be improved, but can
not be acquired. Base running is Ike
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
30 all n hlvr. hot 70
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
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 a 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 possi-
BILE and bluffing. 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 1t.
III...;.