Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-03

work of the various players by POSI-
tons in past world series emphasizes
the fact that with the possible excep-
ton of pitchers no member of the team
is under greater physical 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
plate: throws to cut down base lstealers
and in backing up first and third IN
throws from the outfield. the catcher Is
both busy and important factor IN
the contest. So
A sharp eye. steady Judgment = q
powerful throwing arm and cool cour-
age are necessary requisites for the
player who dons the mask and vino
pad in the most important of all base
ball games. 1t is fortunate that both
the Chicago Americans and the New
York Nationals are equipped with
catchers o fthis caliber for the series
of 1917 which begins in Chicago next
Saturday. While the Giants have
slight advantage in quantity. In TINS
department OF the game, the WhiteSox
are generally conceded to have an
edge in the quality of the receiving
staff.
Sehalk Tops eaekstops.
The Chicago catchers include Kay
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 COM
parative newcomers, they are not ike
IL to figure in 1.-THE series to any extent
and their chance of seeing service Is
extremely remote Schalk is expected
to bear the catching BURDEN OF we
White Sox in every game OF the series
unless he should be incapacstateo oS
accident or illness. He has Caught IN
more than seventy Ave per cent of the
seasons games while Lynn has acted
as receiver in the others. Rariden mas
done the greater amount OF the oach
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 Pittsburgh receiver
is the third string catcher for New
York. -.
Mecarty Is MeGraws Choice.
If NcCarty can stand the strain OF
the game, and 1t is the impression
among the New York players that nc
will be physically At for the fray. ne
will undoubtedly have first call upon
the position. This will bring him into
action against Schalk. The latter IL
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 10
signal for any form OF curve or pr<ah
that he may think puzzling to the man
at the plate.
The outstanding feature OF the play
however, is his fast and accura'e
throwing to the bases. He must De
speedy eprinter and perfect slider VINO
would pit his skill against Schalk Win
any degree of success. McCarty Is not
so brilliant in this feature OF the
catchers art but he is an exceiieht
director of the work Of the hurlers ana
is a far stronger batter than SchaiA.
TO the season averas"
there is little choice in the neiolns
work OF the two -catchers put the
white Sox tbackstop is much faster on
the base lines than McCarty as the
lat.ers accident is likely to prevent
him from taking chances at base stea1'
ing except in an emergency.
Giants Substitutes are Best.
An injury to Schalk during the carry
stages of the coming series would WORK
havoc with the Chicago club for WINE
Lynn is an ambitious player. helacAs
the experience and all-around positfon
ability Of his principal. In this respect
the New York team is in better
position to face such disaster 1or
either Rariden or Gibson. owing 10
their greater experience can sta2 INTO
McCartys place with less disconcert-
ing effect upon the team play tnah
would be the case were it necessary 10
substitute Lynn for Schalk. This can
be seen from a comparison OF the
following records which include the
batting and fielding averages anu
stolen bases and double plays OF the
five catchers who may participate III
the series: