The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1914-08-14
Play Works Successfully a
Times With a Weak
Batter Up.
HOFFMAN ONCE PULLED 1T

nate wants to convey the impression
that any one else connected with the
game is absolutely hopeless above the
shoulders, he usually remarks, "Why,
that fellow would steal third with the
bases full" This is supposed to rep
resent the concentrated essence OF
slow thinking on the diamond.
It has been done few times, even
in the major leagues, and the perpe-
traitors of this baseball 'crime" never
have been given chance to forget It,
Artie Holman, when he was with the
Cubs, pulled this apothesis of ivory
plays once, although the bases were
not full. He had just raped out a
two-base hit with Steinfeldt on first,
and had to slide into second so hard
to beat the ball there that he did not
notice the coacher had held Steinfeldt
on third. While leading off second
and brushing the dirt out of his eyes
Holman saw the pitcher taking long
windup on the slab and determined
not to be made to look like a sucker
for failing to take advantage OF that
chance to steal third. When he landed
he found Steiny already there, and
what happened to Artie later on the
bench would have been worse If the
Cubs had not won the game anyway
Play by John Anderson.
John Anderson was fairly driven
out of Washington because ne tired TO %
= steal second once with the bases full
and was tempted into it by the same
fact-that the pitcher took long
windup and Anderson thought there
was no one on second, but learned ms
mistake too late. The mistake wrecked
a chance to win game and the tans
never foreave Anderson. Even after
he Joined the White Sox the Washlng-
ton players could get Johns goat by
kidding him about that play. These
are only a couple of instances.
Recently John McGraw came to the
rescue of any players who may pull
that honor in future by declaring 1t IS
sometimes a wise move to try to steal
third or second with the bases full:
He admits it is generally considered
the climax of absurdity, but declares
there are times in a season when ne
believes the play is justifiable-so, JUS
tibable that he says he would not hest
tate to order a man to steal with the
bags all loaded.
With Weak Batter Up:
If that situation came up with good
runners on the bases, two out and
some batsman up who was an easy
mark for the pitcher on the slab,
John says it would be wise move to
tin one of the runners OFT to- steal
second or third. He argues that II
the runner on first started tor second
it would draw throw either there
or to first base. Then let the runners
give the opposing team chase ano
runner on third lead off as soon as
thew start throwing the ball around
Then keep all three runners moving
if possible, and there would be al
kinds Of chances for a bad throw o.
nruff. or even of beating the bal
home cleanly if the runner on thlre
watches his chances so as to get the
lump at the right time. Once the
run is scored the other team could pu'
out; either of the other runners an<
welcome, so far as McGraW is con
cerned. It's just as justifiable as tn
ordinary double steal, he declares, un
der the same circumstances: But ~
to date we have not seen HIM try II
probably because the situation neve
came up with three brainy runner
on the bases at the right time =
In a recent tanning bee In Bosto1
Pat Flaherty, now New Englan
league manager, told of bone pla
pulled by Tommy Bannon, the vetera
outfelder, in which Flaherty's lack o
speed was factor. Flaherty was o
first when Bannon hit a long ny. t
left. which looked for while as II !
might be caught. 1t went over safel
and Bannon, sticking his head doWl
tried for three bases on 1t. ne 81
safely into third we'll ahead OF tn
throw, but the umpire called HIM on
Bannon rose, blind with anger at tn
adverse decision, but the umpire mere
" pointed to Flaherty on second bas
and Bannon saw the point. he was o OF
for having passed a runner, and fi !;
hertz asserted that Tommy actuall
stepped on his foot in. rounding SCI
ond base.
Fans Roast Steve Evans.
There is nothing ball player hate
worse than to be called "bonehead
and the regular patrons soon leAl
that. Moreover, they use 1T to s I1
their opinions of players, whom tne
dislike, we'll aware that they are Sd
from harm because of the punlshme
that would be melted out to any play
who attacked a spectator while IN VI
form. Steve Evans, now feder
Lacquer, was mark for one OF =
Truckers who used to infest the !;
louis National league park when -, t
cardinals were persistent losers. II
fan always sat in the same box a.
devoted most of his time to roasti1
Evans. his choicest expressions bel
awoodan head" and "bonehead."
One day when Evans was waltz
bic t,1rn at bat a teammate hit hi
fonl flv which landed in the knocke
hox. The occupant saw it conf
Jown in time to dodge, but had
;daa where the ball would land,
lodged under it, as you often ma
seen SPECTATORS do. Just before t
ba1i struck him on the head
Lnocker grabbed off his hat and
The sphere land solidly on an absolu
" bald dome. Evans watched
proceeding with broad grin and
soon as the first spell Of laugh
had died down little, exclaimed II
voice that every one could hear:
'That's the gink that has been c;
ing me bonehead."
Joke Turned on Kn0cker.:
The neighboring fans, who had b.
sore at the knocker anyway, roa
and kept up a running fire of &C
ments. which drove the victim out
the stand. He never came ba
Evans had more peace after that,
the st. Louis National league club