Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1913-06-06

consistently. The batter must help
the base runner and cover his moves
just as surely as. IN war. the artillery
must cover q cavalry or infantry
charge.
The hit and run consists Of the bat
ter giving or receiving a signal 30 that
both he and the runner know that ON
the next pitched BAH the runner Is
going 10 start for the next base The
duty Of the batter then Is 20 hit the
ball and toward the spot most likely
TO be vacated by the intieldcT who
goes 10 take the threw at second base.
But the hit and run. effective a. il
has proved. has been found inferior
90 the run and hit. The difference 10
that the enemy has no chance to dts
cover In advance what the play is 70
be, la the hit and run the passing
OF signals often warns the opposing
catcher or pitcher OF the intent 20
make the play The result Is that the
pitcher pitches OUT that IL. throws
the ball TO the catcher SO far from the
plate that the batter cannot hit III
and the catcher. being prepared
throws out the base runner Residcs
either the runner or battor may miss
the signal. with disastrous results
Still the signal is absolutely neces
sary when new players are on q team
and often between veterans, especially
when the runner Il flashing and Ia
yentivc player. The greatest OF teams
and players have been for a number
OF years abandoning the hit aud rur
and playing run rnd hit; that is, the
runner starts when he secs the best
opportunity and the batter. seeing hin
going, protects him BY hitting the bal
or by hitting at Il. so as TO hamper
the freedom of the catcher's move
ments Crawford and Cobb OF the DE
troit team, have used this system Wit
wonderful success. and Crawford sci
dom fails to cover Cohb'a movements
The AN Star" team OF 1910. whici
prepared the Athletics for their mrs
championship. was composed OF abou
as quick thinking q crowd of play
ers az could be assembled. They hol,
meeting before they went into tbs
first game against tho champions ant
discussed signals The second bass
man. shortstop and catcher agreed OF
simple signs to notify the lnhel'
whether the shortstop or second base
man would take the throw at second
Then they decided not TO attempt an!
other signal, but 70 play run and hi
Not once, during the entire series Il
which they beat the Champions de
clsively. did any batter fail to Sc
the runner start. or neglect to pre-
tect him.
Tho run and hit IL. or course. 81
tremeIy dlfncult for ineSperience
players. II requires quick eye.
quick wit and a quick hwlng TO hi
the ball after catching neetin
glimpse OF the runner moving
The run and hit la the most effect
i've style Of attack yet devised. and q
pecially adapted to the new oondit on,
it's usefulness ~ run producer IN
IN advancing runners being great
increased after the adoption Of Oh
liveller bali. late in 1910
There Ia not, nor ever can be,Any fxe
rule regarding base running II IL a.
study OF the stages Of the gAm'
When one run is needed, any way {
get TO second base from first In th
proper way. Remember that. IN baa
running, the more the situation seem
to call for an effort TO steal the les
chance to steal Ia given. Tho oppol
ing pitcher knows that. with two OF
and a run desperately needed. the run
ner on first will probably attempt |
steal on the first pitched ball
therefore he watches the bases nor
closely. the catcher is expecting III
attempt. and Is fortified. the secon
basemAn and shortatop exchange VII
nails and decide which will receive u
throw. Therefore tho runner VIII
steals on the wrong ball. that /
steals when the best authorities d
clare a steal should not be made,
much more likely 10 accomplish N
steal than Is the one who runs at d
proper instant In other words. whe
you must you seldom can, and whe
you don't need 10 II Is easy. During lat
season In both the major leagues Oh
runners violated every previously y
cepted rule They stole with nor
out, with one or two out. stole on III
hrst, second, third or fourth be-
pitched. stole even with the count on
strike and three balls. The seaHo
was reverulon to the baseball OF
years ago In base running.
After reaching second base the pro-
lem OF the steal IN much more compl
Gated Most managers oppose stea
ing third. except In rare cases. on n
grounds that the risk does not Just
fy the gain. an a hit or a bad erre
viii score q runner from second 9
easily az IL will from third
In regard to the stealing OF thirl
With q runner on second and no on
out, the sacrifice hunt. even with ii
new ball. seems the play II the scoI
10 close-that Is. close enough for on
run 10 tie, or put the attacking teal
in the lead With one out the steal
Justified, especially when the fielder
around second do mol hold up runner
or when the pitcher uotorlOugly
weak IN watching bases Ia that vi
uation ] would advise attempts /
steal at every opportunity provide
The team II ahead or only one rnn b
hind. If more than two runs bshint
stay az second and walt for hits. III
chances 81 scoring on short paase