Evening star., 1918-01-25

Cicotte didn't use his curve more than
half dozen times. He explains by say
ing he doesn't think his curve has
enough stuff on it to consistently fool
Eddie Collins word for it that few
right-handers in the American League
have better hook, and Eddie ought to
know, because he is batting against
them daily. Cfcotte ie the type of q
pitcher who uses his head. He works
intelligently at all times. He has a
nne disposition. He never growls at
his players, he never disputes the UNI
pire, he just pitches, and does it well.
Sure Cicotte will be effective in 1918,
shine bali or no shine ball.
Do you consider Walter johnson q
better piteher than Alexander or do you
think Grover has the edges This ques-
fion has been the subject. of much dis
cussiOn at our tanning bees, i'm which
American and National league fans
gather in about equal numbers.
TUCKER.
I guess I will have to let you keep on
arguing. While 1 appreciate the COM
pliment in putting it up to me, + pass
Trying to draw the line between two
SO great pitchers is matter Of opinion
Ask the question of dozen authorities
and you would probably get fifty-fifty
decision. If had the choice of the two
men for club I would just about toss
coin and be satisfied, no matter which
one I got.
Runner On Arst base, batter hits ball
to the pitcher and Immediately starts
for the bench. Pitcher plays the bali
to second baseman, who touches that
base and then throws to FIRST. Rum
rer on 6rst when he noticed that the
left that base. How many were out !:
A. ID. w.
The batsman becomes base runner
Immediately after he makes fair hit
This forces the runner on first to va
cate that base for MIN. The fact that
the batsman did not run out his hit
did not remove the force. If such ac-
tion did retire the batsman, every time
1t looked as though they were to be
doubled up. they would stop running
you cite. a double play was made, both
men were retired.
What made Jdn Bagby no successful
last year In the American League. A
lot of pitchers who seemed to have
more speed and \ better curve were not
nearly 80 sueceasful. ADMIRER.
True Bagby has neither the speed or
fast breaking curve of some other
American League pitchers but he
eat. eat ersd ftu for Ranbx saaa he h
easy delivery that gets the ball away
quickly. and has more speed than it
seems He also has good curve and
a puzzling fadeaway. And when Bag
by wants to go into high speed. he can
buzz 1t past the batter in good style.
Seldom does he use a fast ball more
than a half dozen times during a game.
He mixes them up. makes careful
study Of his batters and usually has
excellent control. which enables him
to work the batter to the limit Baeby
IS what would call smart pitcher.
DO you believe killefer of the Phil
lies II the equal of Ray Scbalk. am
of the opinion he Is the best catcher
In the business. I would like to have
your opinion? MINT WEST.
I have seen killefer work only few
times since he left the American
then and I couldn't see how he was
ever waived out Of the organisation. OF
course. he has improved since he Joined
the Phi1lies. Knowing what won
derfu1 catcher. schalk is I wouldn't
think it possible Ki]lefer could be any
better. I might split hairs with you
and call it draw. Some idea of what
Pat Moran thinks of .killefer may be
cleaned from what he said to me dur
ing the recent world series. "Killefer
is a better catcher than John Killing or
Jimmy Archer when those two stars
were in their prime" regard that as
some compliment.
VIII the major leagues play a sched-
ule Of 14a games this year or continue
the old-style program Of 1s4 Rame.s
TT. JACK HOUGHTON.
At the recent meeting of the majors.
it was decided to continue playing the
old schedule of 154 games. Most of the
American League owners favored trial
of the 140-game season. The decision of
the National League to play 154 games
made it almost imperative that the
American do likewise. since. under the
present arrangement, the American
League plays at the Polo Grounds, and
unless both teams played a similar
schedule and started on the same date
there would have been a great many
conflicts in New York.
+ Copyright, 1918, by W. G. Evans.)