Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-05
Betty Tabor.

cayenne pepper on them were white hot and
came like creased lightning" laughed Nc
earthly. Il expected to find my right leg play
ing left field any minute"
Il was speaking numerically, although, OF
course, the speed of the hits enters into the
phenomenon"
They did seem to be coming my way
rapidly" agreed the third baseman.
In tO-day's game fnd," continued the sta
istician, that there were eighteen batted balls
hit IN the direction of third base. You had five
assists and one error and caught two line
drives. | do not include foul balls of which
six line drives went near third base. OF these
eighteen batted balls fourteen we're hit by right
handed batters and four by left-handers The
fourteen right-handed batters hit balls pitched
inside the plate the four left-handers hit balls
outside the plate-that is, outside to them, so
that practically every ball batted toward you
was pitched to the inside of the plate-that is
the catcher's left l have checked these sta.
tistics and find them correct"
well, what of it?" asked Mccarthy deter.
mined not to be drawn into any admissions
In the preceding games-in which you
played third and in which Williams has pitched
i ind that an average Of twelve and frac-
ton batted balls per game have been hit to-
ward third base, exclusive Of fouls. In the
games in which you have played and in which
Williams has not pitched the average is six
and trifing fraction. You have averaged IA
chances per game-legitimate chances-wth
Williams pitching, and a trife under three
chances per game when he was not pitching.
Does it not seem remarkable?"
Perhaps So" assented Mccarthy. 81 never
studied such statistics"
They are very interesting" continued
Feehan seriously. Il find as much pleasure in
studying them as do in watching the pastime.
The phenomenon is the more remarkable"
added the strange little man, because the
average chances per game of the third basemen
Of five leagues, two majors and three Glass AA
for the last five years has been 2 and 877-998.
1t is impossible to COnstTue the figures to mean
but one of two things"
What they?" asked Mccarthy, curiously
interested.
Either 1t is mere coincidence or Williams is
deliberately trying to lose this pennant and to
make you shoulder the blame"
That's a pretty stiff charge" remarked Nc
earthly, amazed at the deductions of the re-
porter, which fitted so well the suspicion,
gradually becoming certainty in his mind.
Either he is pitching purposely to make the
opposing batters hit balls at you" insisted
Feehan, "or it just happened-and things do
not just happen in baseball with that regu-
larity."
Possibly he is wild and can't get the ball
over the plate"
"On the contrary" persisted Feehan He
has perfect control If he did not possess con-
troll he could not pitch so many balls to the
same place"
What is to be done? Will you print that?"
asked Mccarthy anxiously.
"Of course not" responded the odd little man
with dignity. Il leave that to sensation mon
gers. Personally, l have no desire to bring a
noble game into disrepute because Of the
Crookedness Of one man I merely wished to
you in order that you might protect your
self. l shall not print it unless it becomes
necessary"
I'm immensely grateful" said Mccarthy,
touched by the kindness of the odd reporter.
It's good of you and l shant forget it"
81 deserve no thanks" insisted Feehan. Its
merely in the line Of square dealing and justice
and speaking OF justice Mccarthy, did you
ever take interest in the Children's crusades?
Let me show you some of the data l dug up
recenty'-
He delved into his little bag, which was his
constant companion, and. drawing forth a