Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-26
BY j. ED GRILLO.

BY j. ED GRILLo.
The cork center ball has been placed
out of commission. The lively sphere
which was the cause Of remarkable
hitting earlier in the season and which
Incidentally made almost every pitcher
look like a novice In the hands of the
batsmen is no longer In use. The
switch to the ola ball which was for
mcIly used wds made some ten daTs
OF two weeks ago The falling off in
the hitting and the more major-league-
like appearance of the scores came with
the change of the ball.
Pitchers have apparently been show
ing better form recently, but that is
merely the effect of the ball being
changed.
In yesterdays game for instance,
there were several balls hit hard which
If the cork center had been in use
would have gone over the right field
fence. Cobb's drive III the ninth which
Milan caught out so far in center That
ii required a spsgIass to see his per-
Torrance might have gone out OF the
lot had it been one of the balls used
earl er in the season. Yes. the ball
has been changed" said Hugh Jen-
can tell the difference IN the scores
and the way the hitting is falling off.
I am glad the change has been made,
for we may now come back TO some
real base BALL.
Ty Cobb is far from being a we'll man,
and Yet his playing would not indicate
that he is aiiing. But the Tigers great
player neither feels nor looks right. HIS
aDpp3rS
several pounds under weight, but he Is
staying in the game solely on his nerve
II is doubtful IL there is another instance
where visiting player received so hearty
welcome as did Ty Cobb when he came
to the plate for the first time yesterday.
The crowd evidently wanted to show Its
appreciation of the splendid work he has
been doing for his team. That reception
stood out in strong contrast to the treat
iaent Cobb has been receiving at the
lands of the Detroit fans. according to
ne stories told by other members or the
team
For some reason or other patrons of the
same in Detroit have suddenly weakened
IN their team. They seem TO De dc,
lighted when the visiting team wins, and
naturally they hurl most Of their sar~
castic shafts at Cobb. who is most In the
Iimelight Notwithstanding the wonder
full work by Ty In the recent Athletic
series. he was the target for abuse from
the stands. None of the players escaped,
and when the team boarded a train for
Washington the other night the players
expressed themselves as pleased that
they were leaving their home town.
When Cobb tried to score from first
base on his steal and Ainsmith's poor
throw which resulted in his being nal cd
at the plate by a narrow margin. he gave
an exhibition Of some real Spr1nting.
though many spectators thought his eff
forts foolhardy But the fact remains
that Cobb was caught by inches only. and
had there bean any kind of wobbIe in re-
turning the ball to the plate he would
have been safe. 1t Ia the chances he
taxes that makes Cobb so valuable to his
team. Every now and then, Of course. he
viii be caught, but, hav ng created the
reputation that he is apt to run wild.
opposing players never feel easy when
he is on the bases. and Cobb perhaps is
responsible for more poor throws and
errors being made than any other one
player.
Manager Jennings IL holding daily meet
ings with his players. Every morning
Hughey and his charges get together ana
talk over the game OF the previous DAY
and their probable plan Of attack for the
next game. These meetings do much to
how the payers their mistakes ana keep
heir interest on edge. The Detroit play
$ realize that this eastern trip Is OF the
reatest importance to them To make q
cd show ng while away from home will
eep the team IN first place. or WITHIN
5ses to have his team hustltng right
I3wn TO the wire.
When the old diamond was In use visit
2 players had q penchant for hitting
no the left-feld pavilion. Since the
almond has been changed. however. IT
GEMS that that short right field fence 10
ng taken ADVANTAGE OF and several
t..Ves hi there yesterday.
When the local plant is completed II Is
IRE To be one of the handsomest IN the
.5untry The present fence is but
remporary affair, and just as soon as the
0ncrete wal S erected and the adver-
tis-ng signs elm mated the local park will
rampare favorably with any in the coun-
try.
1T would not surprise me in the least
la see Sam Crawford hit ball over the
right-ehled fence during the present
series, remarked Hugh Jennings. Sam
usually always dedicates new ball parks
in this way. Up in Cleveland he used to
make practice Of hitting over the right
reId wall before the present grounds
were built. When the new park was
built there the right-feld fence was set
back many feet and a screen was put on
ton of IL. They say up there it was to
stop Crawford from hitting over 1t. Wen,
the first day that we played on these
grounds Sam hit ball twenty feet over
the screeu-a feat which Joe Jackson has
dupl Gated, but no other player has ever
accomplished"
Since his last trip here Jim Delehanty
has greatly improved at first base At
that me- Del's legs were in poor cOndi-
ton and he locked out of place on the
bag These have mended. however, and
as ne is hitting in great form he Is grad
ualy developing into an ideal man for
the position.
T. Is doubtful If faster double play
than the one turned by Bush. OLeary
and pelehanty in the fourth inning, " tn
the bases full. has been seen on the local
grC unds tn season. With one out and
all the sacks occupied. Conroy hit shsr
erounder over second base. Bush made q
great stop. and without steadying himself,
threw to O'Leary, who shot the ball to
first In time TO double up Conroy. The play
was worked like flash, and did much
to win the game for the Tigers, for that
fourth inning threatened for time to be
disastrous 10 Mullen.
Dixie Walker and LATTE are expected to
be the oppos ng pitchers this afternoon
The game is called at $50.
Long Tom Hughes appeared TO have
more and worked more freely than he
has in any game lie has pitched here this
season. The veteran had plenty of speed
and that deceptive curve ball was break
Ths