Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-03
BY BILLY EVANS.

BY BILLY EVANS.
Some years ago an enterprising re
porter sought an interview with the
late Ed DeIahanty on the art of bat.
ting At that time Delahanty was re-
gardsd as about the last word in the
hitting game. Delahanty was a man Of
few words. His reply was brief, bu
what a classic.
"Just hit 'em where they amt"
AS long as base ball is played the
fans will Smplore the noble athlete tc
init 'em where they amt" 1t is the one
safe and sure method for acquiring the
much desired base hit.
Several years ago l was sitting on
the bench at Philadelphia discussing
base ball with Connie Mack. Several
ocfibes were in on the conversation.
One asked Mack to what one feature
did he most ascribe the success of his
ball club, Connie laughingly admitted
there were many reasons why his ball
clubs had been uniformly successful.
II always like to have my boys try
TO keep doing what the other fellows
don't expect. Most of my good clubs
have always done that one thing. OF
course, they are not always successful
in pulling what they try. but they al
ways keep Trying. bo what the other
fellows don't expect and you will keep
them pretty busy"
That last sentence always struck me
rs being about as much of a base ball
classic as hit 'em where they amt
Undoubtedly the greatness of nine
cut of every ten star players or teams
hinges on doing the unexpected. There
are hundreds of mechanical players
who can hit the ball, catch it and run
bases. They are valuable, but it is al
ways possible to measure their value.
The opposition knows they will take
few, II any, chances; that they Will
leave their advancement to the men
who follow them In the batting order.
Such players are easy to figure. Teams
who persist in following one style of
play are equally easy to dope out.
outguesses the Other Fellow.
So. then, bass ball Is largely a game
Of trying to outguess the other fellow.
II pitcher believes. or knows, bat
ter is weak on q certain style of de-
livery and dangerous on some other
type, it becomes the duty of that
pitcher to serve that batter the kind
of ball on which he is weakest. Each
player and each team. il success is to
be the reward. is trying to do the an
up its defense by constantly doing
the very best to anticipate what the
other fellow intends to do. In the
matter Of defense there is no cog in
the base ball machine more important
than the catcher.
: 1t Is surprising the stupendous part
played by the catcher. il he is O real
star in that department of the game
as to when pitcher shall be taken
out on the word Of the catcher. 1t
Is the catcher who can sift out the
schemes Of the batsman and base run
her. and. by putting to use his gray
matter. can nip many of them In the
bud. 1t is the catcher on whom the
pitcher relies to a great extent as to
what shall be used in an effort to
pux1le the batsman. To some pitch
.ers q certain catcher is almost in
twirlers who. with a certain catcher
handling them, are so per cent more
effective than with some other menu
Der of the catching stan doing the
The Chicago White sox Of 1917 was
. great ball club, good enough to win
the American League pennaht and the
worlds championship. Glance over the
md one Of the greatest catchers in the
history of the game. Ray Schalk. There
ISN'T anything about the catching end
of the game that Schalk can't do well.
He is a mechanical marvel. But his
worth doesn't end there: Schalk can
think and constantly does It. No bet is
by him during q ball game
His Judgment on the batters is almost
.uncanny. His pitchers also come in for
much consideration. II he believes the
pitcher is getting careless and q little
riding is needed to bolster him up,
Schalk can say a lot Of things in
Snort time. II encouragement is need
ed. Ray is right on the job with line
of talk that will steady the soaring
twirler.