New-York tribune., 1914-11-29

ard developing Hank" lie was re-
turned TO me "a much improved man.
Why J Picked Up My Right Bye"
! picked up Mitchell, the veteran
catcher. who had been with me with
the Yankees and In Buffalo, because ]
thought that l might as well begin 90
build 40 the bouom and get some
brains ON the club. Mitchell is tine
greatest man In his line, 10 my way
Of thinking, at developing young pitch
ers. There IS not better one In the
country for teaching a younRSter the
Chalk notion which is very valuable,
IN fact. almost essential 10 the success
fuI boXman.
Perhaps all Of my readers may not
fully comprehend what ] mean by the
"balk motion" 50 J viii devote a little
space TO explanation. When a base
runner steals second or third you Will
frequently hear the fans I'm the stand
roasting the catcher for permitting the
steal. AS often as not II is the pitch
er's fault for not watching the runner
and holding him up. If runner gets
the jump-by which ! mean a good
start-the most perfect throw in the
world from a catcher will not nail him
at second. Once O. pitcher begins his
motion toward the batter. the base
runner has the riga. 10 start. II
pitcher 1eglns has n.-.ou, sees out Of
the tail of his eve taat the runner IS
starting and then throws 10 first base.
the runner is given the base anyway,
a a penalty on the pitcher for uaIkIu-.
A good "DaIk motion" means that the
pitcher makes the runner believe that
he is starting his motion 20 the batter
in order TO bait the runner of the bag,
but the pitcher does not 90 far enough
with it SO that the umpire can call "a
balk. In other words, the boXmau comes
"a near making baIk as ne can with
out actually committing one. 1t is
difficult move 20 acquire and needs
much patience and practice TO learn. If
pitcher gets a reputation for having
good move toward first base the run
ners viii hang close TO that bag and
few bases viii be stolen. Without the
jump u is almost impossible 10 steal
"a base and q runner on second IN a
close ball game is verv much more dan
gerous than one on first IL takes more
than "a single to score him from first.
Usually. "a one base blow will do it
from second. Eddie Plank is one of
the few stars who has not d good move
toward first, but his natural position
in the box he is a left handler and so
directly faces the runner on frst-of-
sets this TO a great extent.
Therefore. / signed Mitchell for his
ability TO handle the pitchers and
teach them the "balk motion and
other tricks Of the trade. Mitch" has
a world Of patience in training young
pitchers, and they all love him. Any
time youngster says, Come on!
Lets warm up a little Mitchell slp'
on the big glove and takes the pltcher
oil 20 "a corner of the lot whore they
car be alone and none can overhear
his comments Then he talks TO the
man quietly about his faults, never
getting after him roughly and DIS
cou ng him. lie leaves that trough
stui TO me. Mitchell makes Job look
Iiasclble when .t comes TO patience.
To him ! give the credit for the pres
cnt Boston pitching staff, because OF
his careful handling and advising. ]
think ] have not gone too far when ]
have called mitch" my right eye. No
ball club can have much success with
out good pitching staff Mitchell
made wonders out of Rudolph. James
and Tyler. lie did more with Tyler
than any one Of the three.
4 Prediction Concerning James.
Understand that ! am not trying 10
ietract from what these pitchers have
done themselves, for they are all
great workers in their art. but nearly
every twirlcr requires proper handling