Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-08-21
OLD-TIME CATCHERS HAD EDGE
ONPRESENT- DAY BACKSTOPS;
WERECLEVERER With SIGNALS

waste a ball by pitching II cut or
reach, the catcher can call for \ ball
he knows II win be difficult for the
batsman to hit safely. II the back
stop sees nothing to indicate there Il
any play on between the runner and
batsman he can more safely ask for
any kind OF ball. since the batter ID
not likely to hit II unless II Is .
grower.
There Is no way for the catcher
to detect any of these things Ia adj
vance of giving the sign Of said
sign is hung out while the pitcher 10
on the slab. Until the finger assumes
his position neither the runner nor
the batsman is likely to give himself
away II any tip has passed between
them for play on the next ball
pitched. They know the pitcher can
not deliver the ball while on the
slab. consequently they stand inert
until he gets into position. Then 4
they give themselves away. the catch
er having already given his signal
cannot switch II without danger OF
causing a palpable hitch In the pro
ceedings.
As matter OF fact, few catchers
nowadays pay more than prefunctofy
attention to the runners or the bats
men. They trust to instinct to pick
out the spot where anything Is TO be
attempted, and some Of them do Il
by the rule OF three apparently.
There are exceptions, Of course. and
these are the catchers who are Of
most value to their teams. whose
worth, is recognized by their mana
gers, and who are getting the money.
The average fan does not detect this
difference in backstops, but the wise
manager does.
In throwing away the study OF base
runners for the sake OF concealing
their signs. the catchers are robbing
feter to pay Paul. where II il easily
possible to satisfy the debt to Paul
without taking anything from Peter.
A lot Of talk about signal tipping Is
bunk. Any wise team will get some
of the signs of a careless catcher.
That is cinch. But not often win
any team. get many OF the signs Of
wise and careful catcher.
There are so many ways Of giving
signs that they can be switched for
every batsman II necessary. It Il not
possible for any one to read and
"Trip on a catcher's signs except BY
watching what ball is pitched In re-
Spouse to a certain signal II the
signals are changed for the next bats-
man. the Upper Is at sea again. and
Is likely to give the batsman q tn
that viii result In getting said bats
mans block knocked on
The usual way Is for the catcher
to indicate his signs BY his fingers,
concealed BY his big mltt. Il Il also
done by showing the teeth or shutting
the eyes. Sometimes a catcher win
use two signs. but one Of them win
be phony. The runner or coacher
cannot tell which is the phony with
any degree of accuracy
The surest way to prevent signal
tipping is the oldest method ever used
IN the game, and the most effective.
If the pitcher win take his position
on the slab.s and pause while the
catcher takes a look around. he win
give the backstop plenty Of time to
see II there is anything likely to
come on on the next ball pitched.
Then, as soon as the catcher does
give the sign let the pitcher deliver
the ball Immediately, either to the
batter, or to base to catch q runner.
In this way there Is no time for any
body to tip the batsman. even II the
catchers signal is correctly interpret
ed by some runner or coacher. And
If the tipper fannot wise up the
batsman before the ball Is pitched.
what's the use of stealing the signs7