The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-12

worlds greatest first baseman. on base ball. In this article the popular star of the New York American league team explains the art of base-run- ning.
 BY HAL CHASE
 New York March 11.--(Special.)-- Baseball success depends on two things First and most important comes abil- tty to score runs. Next stands abil- ity to prevent opponents scoring. This goes for the individual as well as for the team
 I will deal with base running. To my mind this is one of the very most important accomplishments in baseball. I do not except hitting, though hit ting includes successful base running. Base running means the work of circ ling bases in the most effective way. It means, in short to improve every op- portunity OH the way; also to take the least risks of being put out.
 The player is a base runner just as soon as he is entitled to first base or to try to reach 1t In safety. For in- stance, a, man that is hit with a pitched ball or who Is given pass is not z base runner until he reaches the initial bag. But one who hits the ball in fs1r territory or after the catcher misses a dropped third strike under certain conditions Immediately becomes base runner. From the in stant he becomes a base runner his value toward scoring is right up to himself
 Base work brings out most forcibly what is in a player. It is here where brains count most. Hitting ability Is a native gift. It is something that may be improved but cannot be ac- qufred. Base running starts coupled with hitting. Base runners are born, not made. In all strategies of attack as well as defense speed is fine equipment. It is not an essential. How many 10-second men have blossomed out in tho big leagues only to die as base running disappointments? Most of them lacked the head. Some could not overcome the minor handicaps to- ward putting their speed to best ad- vantage.
 Quick Action Needed
 More important than speed is abil- ity to get quickly into motion. You have to get the drop on the other fellow, as it were. Regardless of sprinting ability, one who cannot get the break cannot advance successful Iy Jimmy Austin stole 97 bases one season in the Western league. In the American ho could not put his speed to such advantage. He Us not a quick breaker. At least he did not get un- der way speedily last season. Hi switch in batting style may have had much to do with it. Austin is every bit as speedy as Ty Cobb. But Cobb gets every advantage from his sprint ing power.
 Ty Cobb is the greatest base runner in the game. This is not because of his running ability. It is because he nlways thinks for himself. The man who depends always on a coacher to tell him what to do will never sue ceed. A player must always have tho situation in mind. He must be ready to take advantage of every slip of an opponent.
 Many say that Cobb is lucky. We'll, if he is, he makes his luck. He pulls more new stuff than half the rest of the play CTS put together. He takes chances, but he seldom takes a desperate chance un- Jess the situation is desperate. Cobb's success lies in his cunning and ability to execute on the instant. He boasts that 3ntutive instinct that scents out a bad play before 1t is fairly begun. Bill Brad ley of the Cleveland club Is a sterling base-runner of the opposite type. He Can not compare with Cobb as to speed. But he always takes care to have the edge on the opposition before he starts any thing.
 Seizfng an Opportunity
 Making the best of opportunities is the secret In this. no better illustration is afforded than that of stretching hits. On a hit to the outfield a runner sMould al- ways make the turn to second. He should run to the next bag just as far