The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-07-04


tracts would not hold in law The
reserve clause was placed IL 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 ne playing OF men in small
leagues. colleges and in independent
clubs to recruit good players.
Slider-An injury to a player
caused by scraping a segment Of skin
on the leg or thigh in sliding to
bases. Many players suffer much from
these injuries. often having the skin
torn on 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
left-handed pitchers arm is to the
south.
Spikes ITO sharpen)--Th pretense
Of q player TO sharpen the triangular
toe and heel plates he wears on his
shoes. 10 threat to "cut his way
around" or to spike certain antagon'
lists II they attempt tC stop or touch
him. Chiefly a form of braggadocio.
and seldom carried into effect.
Spit Ball (The Spitter) The most
effective ball in the pitchers roper
toire. Il 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 1t
into the major leagues. The discov-
cry OF the spit ball is a matter of
much argument. Some claim the
honor for AL Orth, who used 1t In un-
derhand pitching twenty years ago.
It 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 "a pitcher
has lot Of STUFF he is making the
ball curve or break more than he ordi-
narily can do.
| Swinger.-A batter who strikes at
a ball with full. long, sweep Of the
bat and arms, instead of choking up"
or shortening his grip and "just meet
ing It," The "swinger" Is type of
player not wanted in finished ball
clubs. They usually are long dis
lance hitters, but uncertain and u.s.
ually finish with low averages.
Texas Leaguer-A short, weak fly
that drops safe just over the infielG
and too close In for the outflelders tG
reach 1t. Usually an accident. but
sometimes accomplished purposely
by good batters who merely tap the
ball and float 1t safe The term origi.
mated from the fact that Ted Sulli
van. the veteran player-manager-
magnate. had a team in the Texas
league that was noted for that kind
of batting.
Triple-A hit which enables the bat
ter to reach third base before the
ball returns to the infield Also
called Three Dagger.
Triple Playa play which retires
three runners before the ball ceases
ITO move, or in one consecutive play.
There are records of eight triple
plays made by one man unassisted, and
about twenty triple plays are made
in each league every season.
Waste-Pitching high or wide to
batters purposely. The pitcher often