Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-13
ROOKIE PITCHERS GET NEW
LESSONS FROM CONNIE MACK
Athletic Leader Teaches Young Boxmen Art of
Fielding and Holding Runner on First Base
Perkins Practices After Illness
By CHANDLER d. RICHTER
JACKSONVILLE, M

JACKSONVILLE, March 10.
TNHB spring training camp for the Ath-
i letics was started in earnest this morn
ing, when Manager Mack had the squad
out for a long workout which will be con-
tinued on into the afternoon, and in the
future there will be two workouts day.
Yesterday tho men who arrived on the
Comanche Saturday night were given a
short workout, but It was moro of n lin
berlng up affair than instructive or useful
1t does not take one long TO see that
Manager Mack has some wonderful bat
terry talent at hand, but It is just as easy
to discover that this material is decidedly
green and that II will be we'll along in
the season before the majority of the
men really understand their duties.
Manager Mack realizes that he has n
great task on his hands and intends to be
patient. This morning after the pitchers
had lOosened up their arms a bit, he
started n practice which he has not used
in years, excepting on few recruits who
were used to fill in on the great hurllng
staff of the past.
The fielding of tho majority of the
youngAers Is miserable, while few Of them
have any idea of how to hold runners
close to first base, and they will be taught
this before they are allowed to go on with
their lessons in the pitching art.
Runners on First
Today runners we're stationed on first
base with a batter at the plate to drill
the youngsters in holding the runners to
the bag, wasting pitches and to teach
them delivery which will prevent base
runners from getting a flying start on
them. The average recruit has world
of stuff when he is allowed to wind up in
delivering the ball, but when there is a
runner on first base and he is forced to
cut down his swing, he is lost That is
why youngsters go to pieces in the major
leagues when they get in hole.
Three birds are killed with one stone
with Macks practice methods. Ira Thomas
did the receiving with Schang running
from first. AS Wally is a clever base rum
ner, and one who is able to get a great
start, the youngsters were kept on the
jump. They are winning to learn. however.
and. with 10 days to practice, there
should be a great Improvement noticeable
before the regulars report.
Several of the youngsters must change
their deliveries entirely before they will
be of any value to the Mackmen as they
are in such freak positions after delivering
the ball that they are helpless TO field
bunts or stop drives through the pitchers
box. AS game after game can be lost
on plays of this Sort Ira Thomas will be
Intrusted with the responsibility Of chang
ing the general style without losing the
benefit of the natural stun" the young
sters have
Players Are Lectured
Another old custom was revived when
Mack called a meeting OF all the players
here and he and Thomas lectured them.
They were told just what was expected
of them; how the work was TO be outlined.
and Individual instructions were given
When the regulars arrive board or
strategy will be appointed and a meeting
of the players will be held each morning
to go over the mistakes Of the day before
and plan for the future Perhaps this
board of strategy may become as famous
as the old one which consisted of Davis,
Thomas. Barry. Collins, Bender and
Coombs Who knows?
Fourteen pitchers are working out, while
but four catchers are on hand which gives
each of the receivers too many men to
handle The loss of early season practice
and the fact that he is so much under
weight will hold back Perkins for quite
a while Manager Mack was counting
upon the Raleigh recruit for second catch
er, but may be forced to switch his plans
unless the lad takes on weight quickly.
Perkins does not weigh more than l4O
pounds. in perfect trim, and II may be
quite a while before he is back at that
figure, as he Is now 10 pounds below 1t,
Bush, Sheehan, Nabors, Ray, Richard
son and Allsworth are still far ahead of
the squad which came on the Apache,