The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-05-30

the base runner aIO cover MS moves
Just as surely as, in war, the artillery
must cover a cavalry or infantry
charge.
The hit and run consists of the bat
ter giving or receiving signal SO that
both he and the runner know that on
the next pitched ball the runner is
going to start for the next base. The
duty of the batter then is to hit the
ball-and toward the spot most likely
to be vacated by the infelder who
goes to take the throw at second base.
But the hit and run, effective as IL
has proved, has been found inferior
to the run and hit. The difference is
that the enemy has no chance to dis
cover in advance what the play is to
be. In the hit and run the passing
of signals often warns the opposing
catcher or pitcher of the intent to
make the play The result is that the
pitcher pitches out" (that is, throws
the ball to the catcher SO far from the
plate that the barter cannot hit it,
and the catcher, being prepared,
throws out the base runner. Besides,
either the runner or batter may miss
the signal, with disastrous results.
Still the signal is absolutely neces-
sary when new players are on team,
and often between veterans, especially
when the runner is a dashing and in
ventive player. The greatest of teams
and players have been for number
of years abandoning the hit and run
and playing run and hit; that is, the
runner starts when he sees the best
opportunity and the batter, seeing him
going, protects him by hitting the ball
or by hitting at it, SO as to hamper
the freedom of the catcher's move
ments. Crawford and Cobb, of the De-
troit team, have used this system with
wonderful success, and Crawford sell
dom fails to cover Cobb's movements.
The "Au Star" team of 1910, which
prepared the Athletics for their first
championship, was composed Of about
as quick thinking a crowd Of play
ers as could be assembled. They held
a meeting before they went into the
first game against the champions and
man, shortstop and catcher agreed on
simple signs to notify the infleid
whether the shortstop or second base
man would take the throw at second
Then they decided not to attempt any
other signal, but to play run and hit
Not once, during the entire series in
which they beat the Champions de-
cisively, did any batter fail to see
the runner start, or neglect to pro
tect him.
The run and hit is, of course, ex-
tremely difficult for inexperienced
players. 1t requires quick eye, a
quick wit and a quick swing to hit
the ball after catching a feeting
glimpse of the runner moving
The run and hit is the most effect
i've style of attack yet devised, and es-
pecially adapted to the new conditions,
its usefulness as a run producer and
in advancing runners being greatly
increased after the adoption of the
livelier ball, late in 1910.
There is not, nor ever can be, any fixed
rule regarding base running. 1t is all
a study of the stages of the game.
When one run is needed, any way to
get to second base from first is the
proper way. Remember that, in base
running, the more the situation seems
to call for an effort to steal the less
chance to steal is given. The oppos-
ing pitcher knows that, with two out
and a run desperately needed, the run
ner on first will probably attempt to
steal on the first pitched ball;
therefore he watches the bases more
closely, the catcher is expecting the
attempt, and is fortified, the second
baseman and shortstop exchange sig
nails and decide which will receive the
throw Therefore the runner who
steals on "the wrong ball., that is,
steals when the best authorities de-
clare a steal should not be made, is
much more likely to accomplish the
steal than is the one who runs at the
proper instant. In other words, when
you must you seldom can, and when
you don't need to it is easy. During last
season in both the major leagues the
runners violated every previously &C
copied rule. They stole with none
out. with one or two out, stole on the
first, second, third or fourth ball
pitched, stole even with the count one
strike and three balls. The season
was a reversiOn to the baseball OF 10
years ago in base running.
After reaching second base the prob
lem of the steal is much more compli-
Gated Most managers oppose steal
ing third, except in rare cases, on the
grounds that the risk does not justi-
fy the gain, as a hit or a bad error
will score a runner from second as
easily as it will from third.
In regard to the stealing of third.
With a runner on second and no one
out. the sacrifice bunt, even with the
new ball seems the play if the score
is close-that is, close enough for one
run to tie, or put the attacking team
in the lead. With one out the steal is
justified. especially when the fielders
around second do not hold up runners
or when the pitcher VIGOROUSLY is
weak in watching bases. In that sit
uation | would advise attempts to
steal at every opportunity provided
the team is ahead or only one run be-
hind If more than two runs behind,
stay at second and wait for hits; the
chances of scoring on short passed
balls. wild pitches, or fumbles that