The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-07-13
PLAYING BASEBALL IS
MORE DANGEROUS NOW
sPiT6ALL rs MOST DANGEROUS
OF ALL BALLS.
Closer Plays Occur on Diamond Now
Than Formerly-More Chances
Are Also Taken.

Why are more base ball players in
jured and incapacitated for duty now
than twenty or even ten years ago?
ACCIDENTALLY. the answer might be
because there are more players. But
the point is that n greater percentage
OF players are hurt than formerly.
The answer. from the analysis OF con-
ditions would seem TO be because of
a faster game and more scientific
play
First. and primarily. there are more
close plays on the diamond. That
necessitates greater speed. players
in their desire TO win take more
chances. and pitchers employ more
speed and sharper curves. which they
often are unable to control All this
tends 10 more danger.
Because OF the development OF
team play. and n systematic defense.
including the shifting of inheld and
outfield to the supposed weakness OF
some batter. there are more close
plays al first base. Because OF try
Ing 10 kill off hunts there are more
close plays az the other bases Be
cause Of the pitchout and waste ball
the catcher has better chance TO
try for base stealers. The result Is
the desperate slide. which always
carries an element Of danger both
10 haseman and base runner. As
recompcnse for the increased danger
basemen have learned how 10 care
for themselves better and there are
fewer spikines than four or five years
ago. At The same time fewer run
ners subject the baseman 10 spikes
NAFF aT0 ct
numerous.
SpitbalI Is Dangerous.
In the case OF pitchers. the spit
bsE dificult TO control. makes hit
batsman a moro serious affair. The
spitbaU. 70 be effective and get its
sharp break. mus be fast. so broken
arms are not uncommon when the bat
Ter Is plugged The old roundhouse
curve seldom fools for long TWEEN
tieth century slugger. unless IL is
interspersed as a change Of pace from
faKt delivery. To get sharper
curves the speed must be greater.
Another reason why moro players
are out Of the game has for It's basis
The increase in the speed OF the game
itself rather than the seriousness OF
The injury In these days OF large
rosters and substitutes for nearly ev-
cry available position a regular slight
~ injured and minus part OF his
speed is inferior TO any except a poor
substitute
The margin between tho clubs IS
so narrow and ;he incidents which
may prove the turning point in a
game 50 small that no part Of a play
er's natural physical ability can DO
spared. Therefore. players are rest
ed after mourning injuries which in
the old days would hardly be consid-
cred. There are. OF course. rare ex-
captions where a player is consid-
cred nearly Indispensable 10 his club
for his batting or leadership and Is
permitted 90 remain In the game.
oven when his physical ability is i'm
paired.
Grit instlls Confidence.
Manager clark Grifi'h ~ The
Washington Americans. with team
which averages slightly more than
- wears c'd outside 80 fhe pitchers
las imbued his Youngsters with Pho
idea that fhev are peuuau' poszihiIl-
ri@z The result is dasti1g conf
Ccn- STYLE of I1v Vtirh f-s upset
frra ~ The veteran oraa~ nations
The d+nre- ir ar r1Irr ''7uz is ~
blowing up' after good -fa~- arer
reverse come Or och -fIrk- ff4 a-
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