Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-03
STRATEGY BY MANAGERS OR
PLAYERS WINS BALL GAMES
FLA Y ENO WIND DALI Jz1N1EO
Connie Mack Juggles His Pitchers So as to
Work Each Against the Rival Club to
Whom He Is the Greatest Puzzle.

the ninth, the score to l in favor of
the Athletics and one down. The second
batter up fon the opposition reached
FIRST on a single. He was a very fast
man, and made up his mind to steal
second II possible. The throw to Barry
was bad one and reached Barry just
as the runner slid into him with terrific
force. He really never got a good hold
on the ball, and 1t sped unmolested to
center field. In an instant Barry per-
ceived the runner would surely make
third on the play, and. quick as a fash,
he said to me: II would have had him,
Bill, had held the ball. The base run
ner thought, of course, the ball was at
him realize the bali had got past Barry
1t was too late to try for third. The
next batter followed with a long fly,
on which he could have easily scored
to the umpire made him believe he
would have retired the runner had he
not dropped the bali. The next batter
flied out, and the game was over. Base
runners are often doubled up because
some fielder coached them into thinks. 6
two We're down instead Of one, and tell
ing them to keep on running
Olson Is There With Game Saver.
The hidden ball trick is a mighty old
one. but / saw Shortstop Olson OF Cleve-
land pull it off in the most approved
style in game at Chicago last year. 1t
came just when Gregg was waver1ng and
saved the day for the Maps. With no one
out and men on second and third, and
two runs needed to tie. Manager Duffy
substituted youngster by the name of
Instantly Olson must have decided to try
and get the kid on the hidden ball stunt.
Gregg was wild and on the first ball
pitched failed to get 1t near the plate:
Olson walked up and must have unfolded
the secret to Gregg. He returned OF his
position. Gregg fused about for a bit,
got on the rubber and pitched. 1t was
another ball. Olson again walked in, ap-
parently to try and steady Gregg. I'm
pire Mullen was working the plate with
me that day. He reprimanded Olson for
delaying the game. Olson went back to
his position. Gregg walked around the
box. got on the rubber and delivered the
ball. 1t was called ball number three by
the umpire. Things looked mighty bright
for the White Sox. Olson rushed up to
Gregg, but stayed only a moment, as
Umpire Mullen, peeved at the way Olson
was delaying the contest. star:e> out to
had slipped the ball to Olson, who con-
cealed in under his arm. While Gregg
was walking around the box in his usual
fashion Chouinard took big lead, only
latter got close enough. The trick of
1176 vintage had again been worked, but
in a rather clever fashion. This seemed
to steady Gregg, he got the next two over
andt made the batter pop up. Chicago
scored run, but did no further damage,
and the Maps got away with the victory.
Olson's bit of head work had saved the
day.
During a game last year one of the
Washington pitchers. while going at top
speed, suffered ans injury in retiring the
third man in an inning. No one was
warming up, of course. The first two
Washington batters were retired on four
balls. 1t was certain the cold pitcher
would never be able to get away. unless
he had more time to warm UP. Washing
ton had only slight lead, and a delay
meant much. The task was put up to Kid
Elberfeld, the next hitter. He fouled of
something like fifteen balls before draw
ing a pass. In the meantime the relief
pitcher was getting properly warmed up
SO as to be able to take command of the
situation when he entered the box. He
was fit, and held the opposition safely
through the remainder Of the game. The
strategy of Elberfeld in fouling Off those
balls had really saved the day, although
few gave the Kid credit for the perform
ance.
Base ball is full of opportunities for
the quick thinking chap. Many game
has been saved and. won by some little
strategic move that to the uninitiated
goes by unnoticed. 1t is not strange that
ball PLAYERS who can use their brains are
in such great demand.