Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1913-07-04

ners on first and third bases the run
ner on first pretends to start for sec
ond. About 30 feet from first he stops
quickly and turns as II to go back. II
the catcher relaxes from the throw
ing position, he starts for second at
top speed and, as the ball is thrown
the runner at third starts for the
plate. The success of the play de-
ponds upon the element of surprise
and except against experienced and
cool-headed catchers it is likely to be
more effective than the double steal
made in the ordinary manner.
Fadeaway-A slow curve ball that
loses speed suddenly as 1t approaches
the batter and falls. or fades" away
at an unnatural angle. The fadeaway
is accomplished by a jerking and hold
ing motion of the fingers upon the
ball at the moment of releasing 1t
from the hand. Christy Mathewson
developed the "fader" into its high
est state of perfection.
| Groove-An imaginary passage from
the pitchers hand over the center OF
the home plate. When ball comes
down the groove 1t is pitched at
the natural angle Chat is, without
anything on it") over the plate and
therefore is easy to hit. Grooves also
are the spaces between the fielders and
between the fielders and the foul lines
through which batted balls usually
pass out of the possible reach Of the
players.
Hit and Run-One of the most effec-
| tx,Ia ~ 1AxytQ in
ball The object is concerted action
on the part of the batter and base
runner, and the runner on the bases
may take two bases instead Of one
on a hit, or reach the next base be-
fore he can be forced.
Hold Up-Perhaps the most impor-
tant part of the inside work of the
pitcher, catcher and batsmen is to
hold up" runners. or prevent them
from getting lead" of the bases.
Hole Un the)-In difficulties; in
dire straits. Either the pitcher or
batter may be Gin the hole" as the bat
ter is 'in the hole with one or two
strikes and no balls called, and the
pitcher when he has pitched two or
three wide balls, and has none or one
strike on the batter. The object of
every good batter is to get the pitcher
"in the hole SO that he. in fear of
giving a base on balls. will pitch a
ing the batter much better chance of
making a safe hit.
Hook-A fast overland curve that
breaks downward and outward at an
unusually sharp angle. The hook
curve is accomplished by sharp snap
of the wrist at the finish of wide
swing of the arm, which accentuates
the sharpness of the curve. The hook
curves OF Brown and Overall, Joe Cor
bett, Tom Ramsey, Bill Donovan. Bill
Terry, Walter Johnson, and others
have become famous for their width.
Hook Slide-Also called the Chi.
cago slide"-A method of sliding to
bases which was perfected by Mike
Kelly of Anson's White Stockings, and
taught to all the Chicago players
Inside-A pitched ball that passes
between the plate and the batter is
inside" whether the batter is right
or left-handed, but the out" corner
of the plate is the corner toward first
base. and vice versa, when there is
no batter up.
Knuckle Ball-A slow ball PITCHED:
with the knuckles of the three middle
fingers turned under and pressed into
the ball, which is gripped with the
thumb and little finger only. The
knuckle ball is extremely deceptive. as
1t is delivered with a show of great
speed and comes with extraordinary
slowness. Summers of the Detroit
team. perhaps. is Its greatest mas
ter.
Lead-The distance from any base
that base runner can gain before the
ball is pitched. To get a long lead"
is the object of every runner.
Liner-A hard driven ball that is hit
on a straight line to or past the infield
before 1t touches the ground.
Mound-The pitchers foot plate, or
slab. Derived from the fact that on
most grounds the plate is higher than
the rest of the infield. to give the
pitcher an advantage through pitch
ing downward at the batter. The
mound is elevated or depressed by
some clubs, high plates being used
for tall overland pitchers while low
ones are preferred for sidearm or un-
derhand pitchers.
Outlaw-The club, league or player
who offends against baseball law is
punished by being ''outlawed' or
blacklisted. The alleged benefits of
protection are withdrawn as
punishment to offending leagues or
clubs while players are blacklisted
There are several hundred players on
| the blacklist at present who cannot
play in any club belonging to the ma
tional agreement until reinstated by
the commission.
Outside-The side of the home plate
opposite to that occupied by the bat