Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-10
BY II. c. BYRD.

An exceptionally large number of bases
are being stolen in the amateur leagues.
So many are being pilfered there is but
one thing to infer-that the men are rum
ming wild on the bags. owing mainly to
poor work OF the catchers in throwing.
and in the pitchers, in allowing the base
runners too much lead OF first base.
In the six games played yesterdaythere
were f1fty-seven bases stolen That is
about what happens every day. Scarcely
a contest takes place in which there are
not half dozen or more swiped.
In the Marquette League in the game
between Trinity and the Printers, there
were an even dozen bases purloined; De-
partmental League players went. from
base to base unasssted six times, while
the Government, Independence and
Northern circuits registered twelve, seven
and five, respectively. The poorest work,
or best whichever way one may be
pleased to look at it, was done in the
Columbia League, but it could hardly be
taken into account, as thirteen of the fiji
teen bases stolen were secured by the
American Security and Trust Company
players, with whom the Standard club
did not in anywise compare.
u
why SO much loose work is being done
on the base lines. The catchers are
throwing very poorly for one thing, and
another, the pitchers are not inclined to
watch first base closely enough. Much
of the time the stolen base is due to the
fact that the catcher's throw is not good
enough to allow the baseman to tag the
runner. Often. though, the wild throw
Is due to the receiver not having much
time to get the ball away, and in the
hurry is unable to take the time neces-
sary to make it accurate. That is due
solely to the pitchers negligence in
watching the runner on first. and thus al
lowing him to get too much lead.
A RAGE is on the cards today in the
Olympic meet. which should prove one OF
the grea est ever run. not because Of the
wonderful form of the men against whom
the Americans are to be pitted, but rather
on account of the fine quality Of the men
who represent this country. John Paul
Jones and Kiviat will meet for the first
time in their careers at the favorite dis
lance Of each-1,J0 meters, or what cor
responds to the American mile
There. is no doubt that the two men
who represent America in this event are
the two best in the world at the distance.
Both have created the records which have
been made. and in running against each
other the race will probably be more OF
a personal one than one which savors OF
an International competition.
The Loff1er club will meet the Nationals
in the Independence League this after
noon. The Nationals are going at a fast
gait now. and give every indication Of
being able to run close race with any
club in the league. The contest between
the two today should be good, because
the Nationals will work hard to GUST the
Provisioners from their top berth. while
the opposing club in: return will do all in
its power to hold the lead it has chung
to since the beginning Of the season.
The other contests scheduled to be play
ed this afternoon are as follows:
r. r. Y. M. c. A. League-Southern VS..
Station.
Marquette League-Printers VS.. st.
Stephens.
Northern Observation-Disclosures vs.. Re-
gents.
Government League-Open.
East Washington League-First NJ. p.
VS.. Ninth.
Treasury League-Controller Of Cur.
rency VS.. Auditor Of War.
independence League-National A. c.
VS.. Loff1er.
Sunday School League-Nativity VS..