Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-26
FREAK PLAYS FREQUENT AND
ADD ZEST TO BASE BALL
Fans Generally Cheer When Boneheaded
Play Succeeds, But Loudly Groan
When Clever Move Goes Wrong.

, coaching at third for Chicago at the
time. He never missed a chance to see
the humor in any situation. and in his
loud voice he frantically told AltiZer to
slide. Dave followed instructions and hit
the dirt. going at full speed. StovalI was
quick to grasp the situation. Realizing
that Altizer thought the ball was hit on
the ground, Stovall carried out his part
of the joke by hurting the ball to second.
AS he intended, the throw was wild and
was on his feet in a minute and on his
way to third Joe Birmingham made the
throw to Bill Bradley. but 1t arrived late
When Bradley received 1t, he made
reclining on the base. I was umpiring
the game that day, and. keeping as
sober face as could, loudly declared
him out.
The crowd, by this time, was in an up
roar over the play. Altizer protested
strongly against the decision. and follow
ed me across the diamond from third to
first, telling me just how fierce the ruling
was on the play. had to threaten all
kinds of dire things before he went to
the bench.
Then he learned what had happened,
that he had been doubled off first base
on a line drive. Altizer was severely
roasted for this play, simply because he
er, a set rule in base ball. Those who
could see the humor in the situation
thought 1t a good joke on Dave, but some
of the bleacherites who were not close
coacher labeled it as a prize bonehead
play. Altizer was subjected to much
criticism, yet he really was in no way to
blame. 1t was some time before he for
gave any of the fellows who had part
in the episode.
4 X !:
In one of the post-season games be-
tween Cleveland and Cincinnati, this fall.
with the score tie, Marsans on third
base and one out, the speedy Cuban out
fielder made what seemed clean steal
of home. A steal of home Is always
pretty play, and the Cuban pulled this off
SO artistically that even the Cleveland
crowd a,pplauded the feat.
That evening / happened to be on the
same train with Clark Griffith bound from
Cleveland to Philadelphia, to take In the
worlds series. Naturally. among the
subjects discussed was base ball, and
renal Jed to Grif that under the circum-
stances it seemed Marsans had pulled
have got his signals crossed.
That was a funny play remarked
Griffith. "Marsans was applauded. I was
given credit for being a wise manager. to
take such chance, and everybody mar
veled at how clearly Marsans had stolen
home. AS matter of fact, we were all
very lucky that we didn't resemble a COL
lection of solid ivory. I had given the
Slgnal Tor the squeeze play. The pitcher
evidently anticipated the play, for he
pitched out. so far out that the batter re-
fused the attempt to squeeze. aud the
catcher couldn't handle it. Marsans, who
is very fast. got wonderful lead and
slid under the pitch In the most approved
style. Marsans was wildly cheered for
having stolen home. when the real play
was the squeeze. Base ball is funny
proposition. The crowd cheers when a
boneheaded play succeeds, but groa1is
when a clever move goes wrong. 1t is
the results the base ball fan is looking
for" Never in his life did "Griff'' say
anything SO truthful.
X X X X
Jimmy McAleer, now a Boston mag
nate. tells of a freakish play he pulled
when member of the Cleveland club He
was given credit for great cleverness and
foresight for his part in the proceedings
A good hitter was up, and McAleer was
playing fairly Deep When he assumed
his position. he noticed the glove Of the
outfelder on the other team was sticking
in the air. instead of lying fiat on the
ground. Realizing it might possibly in
terfere with the course of ground ball,
he FASTENED in to where the glove was
lying. Just about this time the pitcher
had started to deliver the ball. A crack