Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-10-04
CATCHER BEARS
GREATEST STRAIN
DURING CAME
ANALYSIS OF WORK OFmRLANY
PLAYERS BEARS OUT AR.
TION THAT RECEIVER lS -eaNl
WORKED.

NEW PORK, Oct Analysis of the
work of the various players by po-
sitions in the past world series empha-
sizes the fact that with the possible
exception of pitchers no member of
the team is under greater physical or
mental strain than the catcher during
tie battles for the championship of the
major leagues In the handling of de.
livery and signals, close plays at the
plate, throws to cut down base steal
ers and in backing up first and third
| in throws from the outfield, the catch
er is both busy and important factor
IN the contest.
A sharp eye, steady Judgment, "a
powerful 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 Americans 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
department of the game, the White Sox
are generally conceded to have an edge
T., h. Of roaoiuipO cfoff
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 compar-
tive newcomers, they are not likely to
figure in the series to any extent and
their chance of seeing service is ex-
tremely remote. Schalk is expected
to bear the catching burden of the
White Sox in every game of the series
unless he should be incapacitated by
accident or illness. He has caught
in more than seventy-fiye per cent
of the seasons games while Lynn has
acted as receiver in the others. Rari-
den has done the greater part 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.
If McCarty can stand the strain or
the game, and it is the impression
among the New York players that he
will be physically fit for the fray, he
will undoubtedly have first call upon
the position. This will bring him in
to action against Schalk. The latter
is unquestionably one of the best
catchers of the day. He knows the
weakness of the various batters and
as he can handle the delivery of any
and all of the Chicago twirlers, he
will be able to signal for any form
of curve or break that he may think
puzzling to the man at the plate
The outstanding feature of his play,
however, is his fast and accurate
throwing to the bases. He must be
spedey Splinter and perfect slider
who would Pit his skill against Schalk
with any degree CT 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 a far stronger batter than
Schalk. According to the season aver
ages there is little choice in the field
ing work of the two catchers but the
White Sox backstop is much faster on
the base lines than McCarty as the
latter's accident is likely to prevent
him from taking chances at base steal
ing except in an emergency
An injury to Schalk during the early
stages of the coming series would
work havoc with the Chicago club,
while Lynn is an ambitious player, he
lacks the experience and all-around
ability of his principal. In this re
spect the New York team is in better
position to face such a disaster, for
either Rariden or Gibson, owing to
their greater experience can step in
to McCarty's place with less discon-
certing effect upon tEe team play than
would be the case were it necessary