Evening star., 1912-07-03
BY J. ED GRILLO.

Purposely walking a dangerous hitter
in a pinch always brings forth criticism
from portion CT the spectators. aho
vet by applying this strategy many
ball game has been saved. People are
not supposed to go to a ball game FOR
the specific purpose of seeing some In
d.yidual hit the ball 1t Is for the pur-
nose of seeing one side or the other win
that base hall has an attendance, and It
is for the purpose OF bringing victory
tint pitchers prefer to walk a danger
Gus batter IN a pinch and take a chance
on one OF less batting proWess
There is nothing cowardly about TINS
system of protection and yet it is de-
cidedly unpopular with a certain ele-
ment
There was an occasion few years ago
which shows from what peculiar view
point some fans argue. Philadelphia was
playing in Cincinnati, and with the home
out and two on the bases. Lajoie was
purposely walked and the next batter
retired the side with little pop-up. The
crowd, of course. was Juoiiant, Tor this
bit OF strategy had won the game But
there was one individual who went to
the Eox Office, and insisted on getting his
money back He pleaded that he had
paid his way in to see Lajoie bat and that
the pitcher wouldn't let him, consequent
" he had not had his moneys worth.
Tom Hughes walked Baker on three oc-
casions yesterday for purpose Hughes
has had expensive experience with the
champion slugger, and on all future oc-
| ca sions when the score is close Baker
can expect to be sent to f1r>t on four
wide ones A few weeks ago Baker took
| a game away from Hughes that he APP
parently had sewed up. Having one
in, bn min ND n
one on the bases he worked Baker for
| two strikes and three balls But the
next ball pitched was hit over the right
| field fence. tying the score. and in the
next inning the game was lost.
Two days later Baker again tied the
score with a home run hit. Though on this
occasion the game was won by Hughes
eventually. 1t is not a lack of nerve
| that causes Hughes to walk Baker. He
simply is playing the percentage In his
| own favor.
Philadelphia. in second place. Is just
| two and half games ahead Of Washing
ton. which is fourth. For the next three
lea ders in the race. which has already
won six out Of ten from the champions,
while In the meantime Washington Will
hook ur. for FIVE yames with New York,
team which has won but very snall
percentage Of its games. The chances
| for crawling up under these conditions
certainly favor risiths team and ye. the
advance may not be easy. It will re-
ouire the players best efforts. and though
up against a comparatively weak team,
its strength must not be undersetimated.
The Nationals have had their slump.
All teams encounter these discouragtng
periods once CT twice during season.
TIE losing OF games to Philadelphia end
Boston should not be taken to mean mat
the locals have shot ther rot. They
are sure to ccme back and during the
mex. two weeks may be even more proni-
nent in the race than they have been
heretofore.
The outcome OF the series which opens
today between Boston and Philadelphia
is OF the greatest importance. I'his
may decide the winner Of the flag this
year, and 1t will depend largely upon tho
pitching strength OF the two teams.
OF the clubs, the one which presents the
strongest twirlers 10 sure TO win ma
iority Of the games. Mack has three men
that he con depend upon. coomhs. Bender
and plank OF this trio Coomba and
plank look best. Bender's performances
here was net impressive. He will have
to do much better work TO beat -Josten.
On the othsr hand, Boston has Wood. who
is going better than ever; Hal. Consist
ent winner, ana O'Brien, Who has shcWn
to good advantags Of late Thsre ,are
othSrs on. n.thesstsa. too.- though thsy yscea