Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-06-10
INSIDE PLAYS
PUZZLE FANS

If the average fan could realize how
little he really knows OF baseball he
might be less prone to criticism. There
is nothing more refreshing to a stu
dent of the game than to sit through
some pleasant afternoon in a hotbed
of fans in stand or bleachers and hear
the quips handed out on the play as
these spectators see it.
Of course the fan pays his good mon
ey to nourish the sport. Then who has
a better right than be to air his views?
While the layman doubtless is aware
Of the fact that baseball of today EN-
braces far more than Is shown on the
surface, few, very few, realize the In
tricate complications Of inside" base
ball. Far too often are such epithets
as ~"bonehead," lob" ivory skull" and
the like applied to the wrong party.
The game is progressing with the
times. The team manager Of today is
the N supreme power on whose judg-
ment almost solely depends success or
disappointment.
The captaincy Of a major league
baseball club of today is but a hollow
honor. Indeed, there is virtually no
such Office except in case Of a strictly
bench manager, such as Connie Mack
or Pat Donovan. In the latter case a
field captain is essential only so far al
handling the umpires.
Extensively the manager directs play
Defensiyely the team, if it works har-
monfously, decides its strategies on
the spun of the moment-that is, go
far as accepting chances is concerned
The felders concerned always try. but
the one who is absolutely sure of the
play calls for the chance and is invari-
ably allowed to stand or fall on his
OWL Judgment.
Naturally the position of the catcher
gives him best command Of all the
situations that arise. He faces his
other teammates and can keep strict
tab on the bases. If a base runner
strays too far from his station the
catcher flashes the intelligence to both
pitcher and infelder concerned. The
fielder is ready for the throw when
the pitcher wheels quickly 10 let the
ball go, and If the base runner is not
equally alert he is caught mapping.
The catcher signals the pitcher the
nature of every ball he is to serve the
batter. Sometimes the pitcher will not
agree with his battery mate on the
point. Then the backstop signals for
different kinds Of balls until he hits
upon one the pitcher thinks will do
the trick-that is, Of course, If he has
faith in the twirler's judgment.
But not alone the catcher profits by
the sign language Of the battery. The
hawk eyed infelders and ~outfelders
must be familiar with every sort Of
ball delivered. Both tnf1elders and out
felders have to play differently on a
fast straight one TO what they could
on a curve. That is why one may
often notice the gardeners shift their
positions frequently whie the same
man Is at bat. The center fielder can
see the signal, and he tips off his fel-
low gardeners. The second baseman
and shortstop fash the third and first
baseman If these are unable 10 see for
themselves.
OF course the catcher has to be
guarded in his work. He must have
several sets Of signals at his command
with which every one is familiar; 9th
erwiss a brainy opponent on second
would get on to lose signs and In
turn tip of the V. ious offerings TO
the mar at bat. A ttcher cannot use
the same sign twice before a rival.
Then, too, he must guard against the
batsman peeking back to catch his
code, That is why the backstop stoops
In calling for balls. He covers the
hands. which are used entirely for
battery signals. with his glove.
-~--x~rS ~ Nvx~xxYo a.