New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-21

to adopt an effective system or style,
even though that system or style may
be introduced in the game by ones
keenest rivals. Invariably when new
way of making a play is introduced II
generally can be improved upon, ana
that is what every student OF the game
is anxious to do-to improve upon
methods, to dope out plays that may
Illustrate the opposition and help 10
win games. A manager appreciates thlS
ability in his players and rates 1t even
higher than natural ability.
Value Of Brainy Players.
There are players in the National
and American leagues at present VINO
cannot hit the ball as hard or as FAR
as some minor league players and VINO
cannot cover the ground that some
minor league players can. | have often
heard comments from fans about such
players being kept on the payroils'
If these fans could be associated in
timately with these players they would
change their minds. They would learn
the real value of having such players
around. They are what are known as
brainy ball players. And bralny ball
player with only fair amount OF nat
ural proWess is of far greater value
than a player who can hit, run and
field with the best but is very slow
from his shoulders up. Such player
frequently gums up" plays that might
have had telling effect upon the final
score.
There are many players in the Nation
al and American leagues to day who are
credited with being tricksters. But
one of the first things that | learned
after getting into the National League
was that it takes two players to exc
cute successfully any play in which a
trick is to be worked.
One Of the best known plays that
might be classed as tricky is the
squeeze" This play aptly demon
strates how necessary it is to have
two men in on il and how necessary it
is for both of them to play their parts
uccessfully. II either fails the play
is lost. For instance, If the play is
prearrsnged by signal the runner on
third must get good start, and then
it is up to the batter to bunt the ball
in order to have the man score. If
the batter fails 10 connect with the
ball the catcher usually has it waiting
to touch the runner. Sometimes the
runner will attempt the play without
a signal to the batter. and then II is
up to the batter to use his head and
quick wits and come to the rescue Of
the runner.
IL must be remembered hat in all
cases where trick plays are attempted
il Is case Of matching wits with your
opponents. II the latter, who are sup
posed to use their heads on the bases
as we'll as in the field, get wise to the
programme planned, the trick plays
often fail.
One Of the plays that Joe Tinker
and | worked successfully many times
was the bluff TO make a runner on
first think that fly ball was hit on
the ground. II was almost impos-
sible to work this play when the ball
was hit to left field. On the other
hand, when it went to right, either
Tinker or myself would scramble
toward second base and make all sorts
Of motions in order 70 give the run
ner the impression that the ball had
been hit on the ground and we were
preparing to take a throw for o force
cut at second II the runner was not
wise" to the trick he came down TO
second and then the right fielder
would relay the ball. after catching it,
to first base for double play
1t is generally believed that most
trick plays are planned and worked
by infelders. Such, however. is not
the case, as there are as many tricks
that may be worked by outfelders as
by the players on the inner line of de-
fence. One of the best outfelders in
the business at taking advantage OF a