New-York tribune., 1915-03-14

fully watch how they do things, and
try TO learn the why and wherefore.
When a major league player makes a
certain play and it appears TO be the
wrong way to make il, iisure out why
he made Il that way, ana II YOU are
convinced that the player was right IN
his method remember the pay. me
next time such a condition presents IT
self in the game in which you are
playing make the play that way your
self.
Watch how an nhelder handles
grouLd balls Some oldtimers Will re-
member that years ago the proper way
to handle ground hit balls was 10 place
one knee on the ground close against
the heel Of the other foot and with the
bent leg stretching out at almost right
angles from the other. II was argued
that in the went of the ball bounding
through the players hands it would
strike the fielder's leg, and while the
runner might reach first base he would
be prc5ented from advancing further.
Such fielding would rot be tolerated
in even the smallest minor leagues to-
day. Just think what that awkward po-
sition would mean in modern baseball
when there are so many speedy run
rers in the game! Suppose Ty Cobb
grounded to the shortstop and the
shortstop stopped to bend his knee and
stretch one OF his legs, from the knee
10 the foot, lat on the ground. After
fielding the ball the shortstop would
have 10 stand up before making the
throw. That second would be long
enough for Cobb to have flashed safe
ly across first base.
Waste of Valuable Time.
Such fielding is a waste of valuable
time. Nowadays if the fielder should
fumb,e the ball, even though it did hit
his leg and the fielder be able TO re-
cover it quickly. the momentary fum-
bic would be sufficient for the batter TO
reach first base safely eight out of ten
times. Therefore, why waste the time
Of kneeling and having to straighten
up to make the throw? In modern
game if an infelder funbles the ball
it is seldom that the runner is able to
advance an extra base becdus> the in
fielder is generally being backed up,
If not by another infelder by an out
fielder. Therefore the intelder of to-
day fields the ball while on his feet. so
that he can make his throw TO first
base quickly and more accurately.
Style at bat is something that is
more or less natural. Hans" Wagner
gives the pitcher plenty of room when
at bat. Wagner stands far away from
the plate Cobb crowds the plate. Yet
both arc fine hitters. Other bstters
grip heir bats near the end, while
still others grab it some distance from
the end. A manager seldom tries to
regulate a players batting position un-
7 - IL 49,, Iai ha
improve the hitting ability Of the
player.
There are two things about batting
that every young player must learn.
The first is TO try 10 guess what the
pitcher is going 10 throw, what KIND
OF curve, If curve al all; and the
other is to keep his eye on the ball.
The player who swings blindly may oc-
casionally knock a home run. but he
will never be a successful hitter. Your
ewes govern the action Of your arms
lust as they govern the action of every
part of the body. They are the guides
which regulate your swing and tell YOU
whether TO swing high or low, reach
out or step back. Another thirg is,
/ don't be afraid Of the opposing pitcher
No matter how much speed he has re-
member that by keeping your eve on
the ball you will ave time to get out
of the way If the ball comes at YOU.
When a player is hit it is generally
because the pitcher hs, fooled him
with a fast breaking curve, or he has
not kept his eye on the ball.
When practising batting, practise
gettin; away from the plate quickly.
Trv 10 regulate your swing so that you
will not be OF your balance when you
bit the ball You have seen players
strike at a ball. miss II. and still be
started on their way toward first base
That is because they have been on their
toes. They have been ready TO start
running just as soon as their wing
was completed. This step or two at
the start is a great thing. il often en-
ables q batter to beat th5 ball to first