The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-07-11

tracts would not hold In law. The
reserve clause was placed In con-
tracts to prevent the wrecking OF
leagues by competitive bidding for
the services OF the best players
whereby the richest clubs always
could win.
Scout-A supposed judge OF ball
players employed by the larger clubs
to watch roe playing Of men in small
leagues. colleges and In independent
clubs to recruit good players.
Slider-An injury to player
caused by scraping segment OF SKIN
of the leg or thigh in sliding to
bases Many players suffer much from
these injuries, often having the skin
torn of their limbs In patches four
or Ave inches square.
South Paw-A left-handed pitcher
The term Is derived from the fact
that most baseball grounds are laid
out so the pitcher faces west, and
a left-handed pitchers arm ID to the
south.
Spikes ITO Sharpen)-The pretense
OF player to sharpen the triangular
toe and heel plates he wears on his
shoes, is a threat to "cut his way
around" or to spike certain antagon-
lists II they attempt to stop or touch
him. Chiefly form Of braggadocio.
and seldom carried into effect
Spit Ball (The Splitter most
effective ball in the pitchers roper
toire. 1t is executed by putting
heavy friction on the under side OF
the ball by gripping the thumb into
the seams, while the friction on the
upper part is lessened by the use OF
saliva, slippery elm or some such oily
substance The spit ball is used most
effectively by Walsh and Ford and its
modern development was due to
Elmer Stricklett, who reintroduced II
into the major leagues. The discov.
cry OF the spit ball Is matter Of
much argument. Some claim the
honor for AL Orth, who used it In un'
derhand pitching twenty years ago
1t Is claimed that Tom Bond, the
famous old time pitcher, pitched the
ball in New Bedford in 1876, and used
glycerine, which he carried In his
pocket.
Subtitle English" twist or re
verse which causes the ball to curve
or perform other unnatural move
ments in the air. When pitchel
has lot Of stuff'' he Is making tn,
ball curve or break more than he ordi
narily can do.
Swinger.-A batter who strikes a
a ball with full, long, sweep of tn,
bat and arms, instead of choking up
or shortening his grip and lust meet
ing It," The "swinger" is type o
player not wanted in finished bal
clubs. They usually are long dis
Htance hitters, but uncertain and us
ually finish with low averages.
Texas Leaguer-A short, weak FL
that drops safe just over the INTEL.
and too close in for the outfielders t,
reach It, Usually an accident bu
sometimes accomplished purposel,
: by good batters who merely tap tn,
ball and float 1t safe. The term orig;
mated from the fact that Ted SuIli
van, the veteran player-manager
magnate, had team in the Texa!
league that was noted for that kline
of batting.
Triple-A hit which enables the bat
ter to reach third base before tn
ball returns to the infield. Ais
called Three Dagger.
Triple Playa play which retire
three runners before the ball cease
to move, or in one consecutive pla,
There are records OF eight tripl
: plays made by one man unassisted, an
!. about twenty triple plays are mad
!. In each league every season.
: Waste-Pitching high or wide /
batters purposely. The pitcher ofte