The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-29

Ing on his feet In the hope of making
turn until he has COMO too far to slide
effectively. II the ball gets through he
gazing.
In nelding they are alike, yet differ
IN some respects. Fletcher is brilliant.
SNOWY and often sensational. not
| through choice, but through style He
| tons and goes deep back OF third Well
Doyle relieves him lot OF tho work
of taking throws 10 catch runners.
Barry does the bulk of the taking of
throws from the Athletics and is a
marvel ut getting the ball on to men
ms they slide. blocking skilfully rather
than by force. He is like cat, going
behind runners TO take throws either
from pitcher or catcher. and once be
tween the runner and the base the run
ncr Is IN n dcperate plight. He is one
oi the best men at holding runners
Of them get good start on him. He
has the pitchers trained to work with
him. and they throw back not to scare
runners back 70 the base, but to catch
them.
HnSc Running Important.
haNe .SiNen The base running
careful thought OF all departments be-
cause it is that element that ought to
determine the final result. In other
likely to he free hitting one on both
sides; that the pitchers, unless their
condition changes within the short
hard and changed often scarcely
expect more than TWO low scores in the
entire series. and If the Giants reach
tirst base often the base running be-
comes vital part of IL.
That coirpcls Il study OF the men who
must hold the runners close to the
bases. Both teams have pitchers who
watch tho bases at all times, and who
cover their. motions so that it is hard
To detect when they arc going to throw
10 base or pitch. Mclnnis holds run
ners at first more closely than Merklc
have the important question OF winch
can hold the opposing runners closely
20 the bag FOR = dying start from sec
ond and good lead ortcn means q
score when, had the runner been held
close To second, he would have had to
stop u third or be- caught AZ tho plate
natural handicap, AS Doyle does the
bulk OF the receiving at second. while
/ \ second basemau, coming to the bag
\ 70 catch n thrown ball. has To cross the
base to biocl runner, and has less
chance to slip behind him unobservc1.
I y short stop, playing behind Il runner
I may, by trickcry. gain three or four
steps. beat him To the base, and block
the runner asleep. Fletcher is fast
and, il appears TO me, should assume
more of this work. as it is the short
S{np,s natura! play; ,The, ideal com
binaton, OF course Is for both the sec
but 1t seldom is found. US ono or the
other assumes the duty and keeps IT up
N later article | will explain how
ms difference in style OF play is like
y 10 hurt one or the other team
through the hit-and-run attack
Roth Aicn Throw We'll.
Both men throw we'll and accurately,
yet, again, Barry, has a. slight advan-
tagc in that he throws from any posi-
ton, or rather gets the ball while in
position 70 throw. II has seemed to
me. watching Fletcher, that he is Il
tribe over,hasty in throwing. hurry
inG, his plays even when not com
PEELED 70 do so This is not n bad
fault, II it IS. fault. for TO some play
ers II is GO sier 10 throw quickly than
70 straightcn UP and take time. Barry
times his runners we'll and hurrics only
when he has 10 huriY-wlich Will be
rather more frequently during the
worlds series than during the ordinary
season. as the Giants certainly step
along toward first base. As the styles
suit the men they are probably best
Tor them; but 1t appears To me that
Fletcher might help Mcrltlc consider
ably by throwing Where he is strong
est and not risling throws close to the
runner. Yet again. perhaps. by get
Z tlnE tho ball to the base as far ahead of
n" runner as possible, he helps Mcr;ic
almost as much. 1t is beyond ne to
ie!l which plan would be better dur
important, as both teams are fast and
IN such a series. the runners go hard.
run out everything and claim every
y
man is in danger Of collision unless
he can pick the ball cut in front OF the
runner and dodge or else get 1T in time
To jump aside.
While. mechanically, Fletcher APP
pears To have a shade the better OF
the argument. In studying the worth
of the players TO their teams in tho
coming series. | have been amazed to
discover that Barry ranks far -abovc
him. This is due TO Barry's wonder
iul gcncralship and his leadership on
Inc luncld, his agErcssiVcncss and cum
ming. lie really is one Of Macli's ablcst
icutcnants, and in the American
l.enguc-a league filled with wonder
M shor;stops-thc players rate him
thc peer OF any because of his head
work more than anything else.
Harry IL Preferable.
AS q veteran, n man of cool daring
and long experience, he is preferable for
such series 10 the high strung, bril-
hant youth VINO. opposes Him. Perhaps
one IS compelled to take into account
has own league say about Barry. just
the other day ] talked for a long time
With y man who has played and held
Official positions In both leagues one of
INC wiscst men in baseball, and in his
opinion comparison of Barry and
/ Flcichcr was ridiculous He remarked
III ] owned the Athletics. would trade
i'nrry for Fletcher? That is like ask
INK me II would trade Cobb for
George liroWnc." But then, YOU re-
'u'hbfr. ifro~nc won one worlds
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