The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-11

any my board. That's where / got
my start"
How long did you play the out.
fieId7' asked.
Not long" ho said. But before
played third base. 1 was also
pitcher One day Herzog told me he
thought could play third, and no
agreed to teach mo tho ane points of
the job. started in on that corner
and have stuck there ever since.
This is our house." he said, as wo
reached pretty little cottage. You
know, l don't live here, but my wife
and myself are visiting her. people. l
live over at Trappe. which is out In
the country. l don't think you ever
could have got tncre on q day like
this." The ground was covered with
snow and Ice.
We went into the parlor. and just as
Baker was about TO resume his talk of
how he broke in" there was faint
eighteen mon th-old baby wanted to
get in. This big athlete took the c.,ild
up In his arms and got her to sleep
while he talke,. baseball.
eyes," he resumed. 81 did SO we'll
for Herzog afterward ceme over
here and played in Cambridge. was
hitting them a mile then, and the
town was for mo, Many's the time
have walked down that, street, to
tho baliyard" Che pointed down long
thoroughfare lincd with immense water
oaks), "hop.ng that some day 1 would
get to the big league.
THAT season hit over 400. and we
won the championship of Maryland.
The next year got chance to go TO
Reading. Fa.. and 1t was while playing
there that Connie Mack got me-"
Nerve and Eyes Make Hitters.
do you think he wanted you be-
man or because you were such good
hitter?" l asked. and we both smiled.
81 don't know" he replied. But
they always look out for hittcrs. and
guess that is what he thought of
FIRST
you say you were always good
hitter" l said. as q new line of thought
suggested itself. What do you think
is needed to make a good hitter?"
II really believe that hittcrs are
born and not made" he declared But
! they can be improved. The first thing
boy needs liz a good pair OF eyes.
Then he must have nerve. It goes
without saying that he needs strength.
but nearly all ball players have that
The main thing" declared Baker.
| cmphatically, SIS nerve. Unless boy
has that he can never hope TO succeed.
believe the most nerve required IN
| baseball is to stand up to the plate
and let the pitcher throw balls ut
your bean. The good hitter Will let q
pitcher throw one at his head, and
again. II the batter gets nervous and
backs away through fear of being hit
he's gone.
why. do you know" and Baker be-
gan to get enthusiastic. there are q
/ lot of pitchers whose sole stock In
trade Is their ability to drive battere
| from the plate. and then when they
get them scared shoot couple of
straight ones right over the nliddle?"
did you have as much trouble with
pitchers In the minor league as In the
big league?" asked
"oh. no; not as much" he explained
! "Bnt batter has got to have his nerve
with him in the minors just the same
because they are nearly all bean bali
/ pitchers" BY that he meant that the
minor leagners were usually Wild and
were liable to hit batter az any time
Must Not Fear Regulations.
ITO get along successfully In the big
league" he continued "a batter has
got to look on the famous pitchers Just
the same as he would a fellow in the
/ bush leaguers. Lou can't afford to be
| afraid of them"
rs that why you were able to hi
Mathewson?"
i IT think II helped. He certainly is O
great pitcher, but knew enough about
| him to know that he wouldn't hit me
That made me confident. and waited
until got good one. Luckily, |
cracked it at the right time"
| How about Marquard?"
We'll. Mnrauard Is good pitcher
but don't think he is a settled pitch.
err. He doesn't know exactly how &c
figure batters, like Mathewson. Bend.
err. Walsh and that class of pitchers
He's gothic stuff, though. and ought tc
make great one"
/ Just then there was the tinkling of @
bell. and as Baker started to rise he
noticed that the baby was sound asleep
Mrs. Baker came in TO tell US that
! dinner was ready.