Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-04
THE CATCHERS FOR
THE WORLDS SERIES

New York, Oct. 3.-Analysls of the work
of the various players by positions in pas:
World Series empha the fact that
with the possible exception of pitchers no
member Of the team is under greater ply
steal or mental strain than the catcher
during the battles for the championship
of the major leagues. In the handling OF
delivery and signals, close plays at the
and in backing up first and third in
throws from the outfield, the catcher is
both a busy and important factor in the
contest.
sharp eye. steady judgment, a power
full throwing arm and cool courage are
necessary requisites for the player who
dons the mask and wind pad in the most
important of all baseball games. 1t is
fortunate that both the Chicago, Ameri-
cans and the New York Nationals are
equipped with catchers of this calibre for
the series of 1917 which begins in Chicago
next Saturday. While the Giants have
slight advantage in quantity. in this de-
partment of the game. the White Sox
are generally conceded to have an edge in
the quality of the receiving staff
The Chicago catchers include Ray
Schalk, Byrd Lynn and Joseph Jenkins
while the New York quartet consists OF
George McCarty William Rariden,
George Gibson and John Onslow. AS both
Jenkins and Onslow are comparative new
corners, they are not likely to figure in
the series to any extent and their chance
Of seeing service is extremel" remote.
Schalk is expected to bear the catching
burden of the White Sox in every game
of the series unless he should be incapaci-
tated by accident or illness. He has
seasons games while Lynn has acted as
receiver in the others. Rariden has done
the greater amount Of the back stopping
for the Giants this year due in part to the
fact that McCarty broke his leg early in
the season and was out Of the game for
several months. Gibson. the former Pitts
burgh receiver is the third string catcher
for New York
II McCarty can stand the strain Of the
game. and 1t is the impression among the
New York players that he will be phys-
callv At for the fray. he will undoubtedly
have first call upon the position. This
will bring him into action against Schalk.
The latter is unquestionably one Of the
best catchers OF the day. He knows the
weaknesses OF the various batters and, as
he can handle the delivery Of any and all
the Chicago twirlers. he will be able to
signal for any form of curve or break
that he may think pulling to the man at
the plate.
The outstanding feature OF his play.
however, is his fast and accurate throw
ing to the bases He must be speedy
sprinter and perfect slider who would pit
his skill against Scha1k with any degree
Of success. McCarty is not so brilliant in
this feature of the catchers art but he
is an excellent director of the work OF the
hurlers and is far stronger batter than
Schalk, According to the season aver
ages there is little choice In the fielding
work Of the two catchers but the White
sox backstop is much faster on the base
lines than McCarty as the latters accident
Is likely TO prevent him from taking
chances at base stealing except in an
emergency.
An injury to Schalk during the early
stages Of the coming series would work
havoc with the Chicago Club for while
Lynn is an ambitious player. he lacks the
experience and all-round ability of his
principal. In this respect the New York
team is in A better position to face such
a disaster for either Rar-den or Gibson,
owing to their greater experience can
step into McCartys place with less dis
concerning effect upon the team play than
would be the case were It necessary to
substitute Lynn for Schalk. This can be
seen from a comparison OF the following