Evening star., 1912-11-17
BY BILLY EVANS.

ALI things being apparently equal, why
are some pitchers SO much superior TO
others? Watch them during the warm
up periods, and there appears to be little
If any difference in the speed and curves.
Put them into the game and the DIFF
ference Immediately asserts itself. 1t is
the test under fire that proves the rela-
tive merits of the boxmen.
Lots of people labor under the impress
sion that speed, curves and strength are
the necessary requisites of great pitch-
er. True, few pitchers acquire greatness
unless they have plenty Of speed and
good curve, yet those two assets are far
from being the most essential. I know
any number Of pitchers who possess ter
rifle speed, who are the masters OF an
assortment of puzzling curves. yet they
are only mediocre when put to the test.
l could name a dozen pitchers who ap-
pear to have nothing, yet they must be
classed as really great twirlers.
A brain that is able to think quickly.
heart of oak and a good disposition are
even more essential to good pitching than
speed and curves. There are lots of
twirlers who are unhittable in batting
practice, but who have nothing when sent
to the mound. There are many pitchers
who are wonders just as long as the
bases are empty, but who blow just as
soon as the sacks get populated. Many
go along smoothly just SO long as their
support remains intact; but a few errors
will cause them to establish new aiti-
tude records. These pitchers have the
speed, the curves and the strength to be
stars, but something more essential is
lacking.
How Some Pitchers Get By.
On the other hand. you watch certain
pitcher warm up. and you comment on
his lack of speed and faulty curve. You
brilliant game, yet you wonder how he
does it. You compare him with some
other member of the staff who has a
world of speed and a fast breaking curve.
vet is unable to win. 1t resolves itself
into puzzle that you are unable to solve.
You say to yourself he must be lucky,
but he isn't. 1t is a pretty safe bet that
the gentleman who appears to have noth-
ing is some pitcher.
Fandom continually hears the praises
sung of Mathewson, Walsh. Rucker,
Johnson and the other star twirlers
| in the two big leagues. Their deeds
| of valor are being constantly related.
| They are great pitchers, and merit all
| the praise handed them. Still no pitcher
!, in the business is more interesting to me
| than the veteran Jack Powell of the st.
players who are unable to hit him term
| a nothing pitcher" Usually when star
| is unable to do anything with the stick
| he contents himself by insisting that
| nothing" meaning neither speed nor
curves You hear players make that
| remark about Jack Powell, more than
any pitcher in either league, yet Amer
| lean League umpires to man will tel
| you that Jack Powell has something" E"
| and they are more liable to miss strikes
| on him than many of the stars.
Fans Marvel at Powell.
| There are few pitchers in base bal
| like Jack Powell His nerve is unlim-
| tied. No situation is too tough for him
| to tackle. He Is best in the pinches.
] Like Mathewson. Powell always takes
| into consideration the fact that there
are eight other players on the field be-
side himself. With no one on the bases.
| he delights in having the Players hit
the ball provided their efforts don't &c
safe. More fly balls. and long ones. are
| hit off Powell than any other pitcher
| When things are breaking easily, Jack
/ is getting away In the same manner
When the pinch comes. he always has
something on the ball. He can show the
| batters just a little more speed, and a
| little better curve than he has previously
been serving them.
| Perhaps nothing makes Jacks delivery
| look easier to hit than his peculiar
| wind-up 1t is, perhaps stretching the
point to refer to it as a wind-up All he
| seems to do Is to make quick hitch
and the ball is on top of the batter be-
! fore he realizes 1t.
| 1t is Powelrs lack of a wind-up that
makes him look easy. but those who
know will tell you that II is this quick
delivery that puzzles the batsmen. On
top of this no situation, 10 matter how
| critical. worries Jack. Don't fo' get that
lit was Powell who stopped Walter John
sixteen straight games. 1t took some
pitching to beat the Nationals 8 to :
that day. for Johnson allowed four hits
and struck out an even dozen men.