The Washington herald., 1911-05-26
M'GRAW EXPLAINS
USE OF TEAMWORK
1t Is Combination of Quick
Thinking and Execution.

Teamwork on the diamond Is nothing
but a combination of knowledge and abil-
ity. It's value cannot be estimated In
figures. With II we have everything;
without it. nothing" says J. ]. McGraw.
"One reason teamwork is hard to at
tain is because it requires both OF the
necessities enumerated. Either will not
do. Any number of players possess
physical ability. but through inexperi-
ence are lacking in knowledge of the
games fine points. II told to make Q
play, they can execute II beautifully. but
they DO not possess that initiative which
is shown by unhesitating execution. Plays
arise that call for instructive action.
which comes only from experience.
1T Is hard to say which is the most
valuable. physical ability or knowledge.
The man with ability has the best chance.
as he can acquire knowledge II he is a
thinker, Dut the veteran with the knowl-
edge has little chance to develop ability
that is lacking. His day is gone.
Where Brains Count.
because of the knowledge they possess.
They may not be so fast as some Of the
but they can direct plays in
way that would not occur to less ex-
perienced men.
ITO illustrate this 1 mention the case
of Harry Steinfeldt, the Cub third base
man. Harry may not be as fast as he
was ten years back. but Manager Chance
will go a long way before he can get a
man who understands the games fine
points as well as Steinfeldt With him
on third the infield has confidence that a
MI. IN ,.,gIl ~ Is
should be. They know he will do the
right thing at the right time, and will
assist in carrying out any play that may
be started across the diamond. An in
experienced PLAYER on third would cause
so much anxiety that the effectiveness
of the whole machine would be impaired.
Like Everything Else.
Teamwork in baseball is the same as
teamwork in any other business. What
could succeed unless its men
each other and worked to-
gether?
'One individual star could not run a
corporation smoothly any more than any
one great player could win a pennant
for his team.
Teamwork is not necessarily the re-
suit of prearranged plans. as many base
jail seem 10 real teamwork
Is combination OF quick thinking and
execution. In limited time such as a
play on the diamond occurs in. the men
must think together, each knowing what
he must do and what his fellow will do
to bring about the desired result. When
every man knows his mates will think
Is fast as he does and execute his work
exactly right, we have teamwork.
The Shortstop.
Say the pitcher is to pitch a fast
batter to make him hit to left field: ::
II the manager signals the shortstop
10 move toward third and play deep to
stop a ball hit in his direction, 1t is not
teamwork. 1t is one-man work. On
the other hand, IL the shortstop appre-
ciates the situation, gets the catcher's
signal, and then moves to the proper
II is teamwork.
Another instance frequently occurring:
THE team in the field is two runs
ahead and there is a runner on base.
II the outfelders have had experience
they would at once move back and play
4 deep field. They would realize that
4 single could score only one run under
any circumstances, and would play 1t
safe and be ready to hold a hit to
single.
When It's Teamwork.
Should they play too close and at
Tempt to catch a line drive there would
De a chance for the ball to get by for
.wo or possibly three bases. breaking
lp the game. II a manager had to d.
'ect outfielders in this respect 1t would
lot he teamwork. II the players took
he THAR Initiative ~
would be teamwork.
The idea that a series Of signals
,recedes every bit of teamwork is err
'oneous. Without knowledge based on
experience and physical ability, no
mount Of signaling could make play
r do the proper thing. On the other
and, with the knowledge and experience
,e would not require the signals"