The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-02
Tinker'S Plan For Handling Bunts
 May ReUolutionize Baseball Game
CUB sTRATEGIsT WOULD LEAVE FIELDING OF BUNTS TO THIRD EASTMAN, PITCHER AND CATCH ER-HIS ARGUMENT

Joe Tinker, who plays shortstop for the stage in winters and still finds time to devote to his family and friends, has just devised a scheme which, if put into operation and properly executed on the ball field, will break up the bunting game and cause. speedy baserunners to stand stone still on the base lines, bewildered and helpless. It may revolutionize base ball tactics of the day.
 Incidentally, Joe confided that this scheme was the main reason ~1fy he wanted to play third base, because in the new plan the third baseman is to play the leading role, and, like all actors, Joe has pictured himself in the star part.
 Now, at first sight, this scheme may not appeal to some of the wise followers of the national game, but bit of care full consideration of the thing undoubtedly will convince him that it Is one of the most sensible suggestions for improving the defensive part of the game that has come up since 's5, when Charley Comiskey began playing far back of first base and taught the pitcher to cover the bag when
  Joe's scheme is so simple that one won- ders why some shrewd major league man ager has not thought of 1t before, but if such is the case it has never been put into practice.
 The scheme is simply to keep the first baseman out of the muddle of fielding bunts and have him stick to the bag, have the pitcher always go to his left to cover ground only in that territory, while the third baseman takes care of every chance to the right of the pitcher and the catcher handles everyone that is dumped just in front of the plate. In this way first base is always covered by the regular man, while the second baseman is always stationed on the mid dle bag, ready for a play there. and the shortsiop runs down to third to prevent the baserunner from going from first to third on the play
 | Its very seldom we see a runner | forced at second base on bunt," said | Tinker, in talking over the plan But | with this scheme in operation can see | pulled often and once you get to doing that the bunting game is broken up. You see, the first baseman being on the bag would hold the runner close to that spot and prevent his getting a big lead be- fore the batter touches the ball.
 There's too much confusion in hand ling bunts, anyway. and there's no rea- son that I can see why the third base man and pitcher, with the aid of the catcher couldn't handle everything. The pitcher would go to his left as he de- | livered the ball and always be on the | spot ready to handle the ball. As it is now he runs straight in and has to be prepared to jump, to either side, then | probably become entangled with the third | baseman or the first baseman in getting | the ball.
 Then, knowing that the second base man would always be stationed on the middle bag, many play could be made there that would not be attempted other wise because of fear the baseman would not be on the spot. A third baseman with a good arm and active on his feet could rush in. scoop a ball and whirl and shoot it to second without hesitating that in stant that loses so many runners. He | would always be assured there was 8
 
 | ball.
 '1 should judge that, having the firs baseman stick to the bag would take about six feet off the lead obtained b, the baserunner. That's enough to per init many a play at second that would not be made otherwise The second base man would always be there, you see, fol he wouldn't have to be playing half-wa, between the bags, ready to cover first if the first baseman was after the ball.
 i've been thinking of that scheme fol long time, and have always believed would put it through if given chance Of course, I am not saying that I'm go ing to play third base, for I'm goini to play just where the manager puts me , but if third base position Is open ol the Cubs team next spring would lilx
 to be given a chance to try for it. an'
 I would also like to see this schem
 developed and put into action. 'T suppose you'll say that about tn
 second time we turn the trick the batte