Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-13


the relative merits of ball players of the
nineteenth and twentieth centuries they
can win the argument in the back-stop-
ping department Not that there are not
as brilliant catchers now as ever looked
has fallen somewhat into decay, taking
the whole run of major league catchers
as field of observation.
Probably 20 per cent Of the catchers in
the game today give the pitchers the sign
the slab If there are runners on bases
and particularly if there is a runner on
first or second. Watch this any day and
see how often the pitcher will stand off
to one side of the slab or behind it until
he has caught the sign for the next ball
to be delivered. Then said pitcher will
step on the slab. usually. take his hurting
position deliberately and finally pitch the
ball.
This happens most frequently when
there is base runner likely to advance.
When the bags are empty or there is only
a runner on third the pitcher generally
will take his regular position before look
ing for the catcher's sign. Some pitchers
habitua1ly remain of the slab until they
know what they are going to pitch.
When this is not a deliberately acquired
habit to overcome the tendency to pitch
too fast. it is done as a rule for the pur-
pose of guarding against betraying the
catcher's sign to the base runner. There
has been SO much talk and suspicion
about signal tipping in recent years that
catchers and pitchers have devoted a
lot of time and thought to crossing their
opponents and preventing the detection of
their signals. By stepping toward third
base from the slab when there is a run
ner on first the pitcher enables the
catcher to conceal his hand from a man
on first. When there is runner on sec
ond, the process Is reversed and the
pitcher steps over toward first base to
look for the sign. If the only runner is
on third he cannot see a sign anyway.
With runners on first and second the
problem is more difficult and the battery
men have to resort to other ruses which
they think clever.
In working out these schemes to check
mate would-be signal tippers the catcher
and pitcher have tossed into the discard
one Of the most effective defensive ele-
mentS of the game-the eyes and wits OF
the catcher. Old-time backstops and a
few of the present generation We're and
are of great assistance in every game in
calling the turn on what the baserunners
or batsmen are planning to do on the
next ball pitched. In order to do this il
is necessary for the pitcher to be on his
slab ready to pitch before the sign is
given. Then, with the runner and bats
motion Of the pitchers arm. one or the
other of the opponents is liable to give
away the impending play by some un-
conscious move or attitude.
Catcher Watches Batter and Runner.
The wise catcher, squatted behind
the batsman, keeps one eye on the run
ner and the other on the hatsman and
gives his sign to the pitcher deliberately.
not hurriedly. II he detects the intent
of the runner to steal or sees hit-and-
run play coming off he can call for a
pitch out, which means the ball will be
delivered out of reach of the batsman
but in good position for the catcher 10
throw out the runner.
If the batsman has the pitcher in the
hole SO that il is not safe to waste
ball by pitching 1t out of reach, the
catcher can call for ball he knows
it will be difficult for the batsman To
hit safely. If the backstop sees moth
ing to indicate there is any play on
between the runner and batsman he
can more safely ask for any kind of a
ball, since the batter is not likely to
hit II unless 1t is grower
There is no way for the catcher to
detect any of these things in advance
of giving the sign. II SAID sign IS hung
out while the pitcher is OF the slab.
Until the finger assumes his position
neither the runner nor the Datsman Is
likely TO give himself away. II any tip
has passed between them Tor play on
the next ball pitched. They know the
pitcher cannot deliver the ball while
off the slab. consequently they stand In
ert until he gets into position Then II
they give themselves away. the catcher
having already given ms slgnai cannot
switch If without danger of confusing
the pitcher or at least without causing
a paipable hitch in the proceedings.
AZ a matter Of fact, few catchers now
adays pay more than perfunctory atten-
ton to the runners or the patsmeh. ihey
where anything is to be attempted and
some of them do it by the rule of three"
apparently There are excepuons, OF
course. and those are the cafchers who
are of most value to their teams. whose
worth Is recognized by their managers.
and who are getting the money. The
average fan does not detect this differ
ence in backstops, but the wise manager
does. -.
,,,nnars for the sake OF concealing their
signs the catchers are robDing Peter TO
nav Paul, where IL is easily possipie
70 satisfy the debt to Paul without taking
anything from Peter a lot OF the tax
team will get some of the signs of
20 raiess catcher That is a cinch. But
mot often will any team get many OF the
signs of a wise and careful catcher.
There are so many ways OF giving
s,1rs that they can be switched for
every batsman If necessary. 1t is not
possible for any one to read and tip
Off a catcher's signs except py watch
ing what bali is pitched in response
to a certain signal. If the signals are
changed for the next batsmap the tip
per Is at sea again and is likely to
give the batsman a tip that VIII result
in getting said batsmans block knock
cd Of.