Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-07-04

tracts would not hold In law. h
reserve clause was placed In 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 'ae playing Of men In small
leagues. colleges and in Independent
clubs to recruit good players.
Slider-An injury to q player
caused by scraping a segment OF skin
of 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 five 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
a left-handed pitchers arm Is to the
south.
Spikes (To Sharpen)-The pretense
Of a player to sharpen the triangular
toe and heel plates he wears on his
shoes, is a threat to "cut his way
around" or to spike certain antagon-
lists If 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. 1t 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 ita
modern development was due to
Elmer S%tricklett, who reintroduced II
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 it In un'
derhand pitching twenty ears ago.
1t 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 a lot Of STUFF" he is making the
ball curve or break more than he ordi.
narily can do.
Swinger.-A batter who strikes al
a ball with a full, long, sweep of the
bat and arms, instead Of Choking up"
or shortening his grip and Just meet
ing it," The "%swinger" is a type OF
player not wanted in finished ball
clubs. They usually are long dis
lance hitters. but uncertain and US
ually finish with low averages.
Texas Leaguer-A short, weak fly
that drops safe just yer the infield
and too close in for the outfielders to
reach it.. Usually an accident, but
sometimes accomplished %purposely
by good batters who merely tap the
ball and float it 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
to move, or In one consecutive play.
There are records of eight triple
plays made by one mar unassisted, and
about twenty triple plays are made
in each league every season.
Waste-Pitching high or wide to
batters ~purposely. The pitcher often