The Detroit times., 1911-04-08

Many players come into the game
only 10 be turned back because they
di dnot keep their eyes and ears open
and their heads at work as amateurs.
Take the pitchers Most OF them
rely upon speed and curves and not
enough control, change OF pace and
the eight men behind them. They
win on the lots, but do not when they
become professionals, unless they
use their heads as we'll as their
hands and feet.
League players are usually gooc
walters, They will got the young
pitcher in hole" and then he mas
10 put the ball over
Such things as knowing the batter's
weakness, making hi mhit bad ones,
pulling hi mon his balance with 8
clever change OF pace, are as Greek
TO the average young pitcher break
ing into the game.
Keeping runners close 10 the bases
is another thing the amateur should
learn. He should develop a motion
that deceives the runner and catch
him tiat.footed
The clever major league pitcher
works with his infeld all of the time.
In a pinch. II he has good control.
he delivers the ball so the batter
will pop up an infield fly or hit q
weak roller that IN eIsily handled.
BY pitching over the inside or the oat-
side corner when batter is trying TO
sacrifice. the pitcher can make him
bunt in a desired direction and thus
force the runner. These things are
part OF the education of the maJV.
eaguer, but there is no reason why
the amateurs should not learn them
How many amateurs or semi-profeS.
sionals 20 10 first base at full speed,
head up and watching the ball? The
majority duck their head and don't
think OF the ball. They tear across
the base. never thinking OF turning &c
the left TO gain l5 or 90 feet toward
second in case the ball is tumbleG
or loosely handled The batter should
always make the turn toward second,
TO be in a position 10 continue If op-
portunity offers. He should size up
the situation quickly and act without
hesitation. Often. when the chances
are even. his speed causes hurried
thro wand he Is safe. when. had he
hesitated. he would have been an ca y
out
The runner should always watch
the ball Going toward second or
third the ball being returned from
the outfSeld, he can Judge upon which
side the infielder will receive the
sphere and by sliding for the op-
posite aide OF the base, may avoid
being touched
With a runner on. none being out.
the batter Is ordered TO sacrifice The
pitcher endeavors TO make him bunt
along third. for instance The instant
the ball is pitched, he dashes in The
direction be knows the ball will roll
II he has planned correctly he is upon
the bal in time TO field IL to second
or third TO get the runner. Perfect
play may result in a double play, in
stead OF the runner being advanced.
Such playing requires thinking and
is inside baseball You don't see much
OF II outside the major leagues, but
there is no reason why amateurs
should not try TO play the same game.
Take the outfield conner. He catches
fly ball, perhaps with runner on
third, and another on first What does
he do? II he isn't thinker he slams
the ball home, hoping TO catch the
runner scoring. He does it. perhaps,
once in. half a dozen attempts, unless
he Is an exceptional thrower. Mean
while the runner on first has advanc..
ed II the ball gets away from the
catcher the runner may go to third.
The outfielder who plans in ad-
vance, estimates the speed OF the man