The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-14
Defensive Team Play
By WILBERT ROBINSON of the Brooklyn Dodgers

first thing to do, as each batter un-
familiar to him steps to the plate, is
to signal your new mate where to
station himself. That's part of the
team work system.
Call Out Fiys.
Appoint one of your infielders-the
second baseman-to be the caller
out" whenever lofty dies are lifted
He is to yell which man-infelder,
catcher or pitcher, is to take an infield
or "Texas League" fly. Then heed his
call as to which man should try for
the fly.
But if you are nearest to the man
trying for the ball, don't walk away
from him. Stay near him-but back
of him. He may drop the ball. If
he does you're there to pick it up.
But don't be too near him to confuse
him.
The same rule applies to the out
field with the center fielder the "cal-
Ter out
When a runner reaches first, the
second baseman and shortstop de-
eide who will take a throw to second.
Having done so the second sacker
signal the whole team.
The advantage of tipping off the
| whole team is especially beneficial
to the other two infielders. If the
second baseman is to take the ball,
| the first baseman moves as far to-
| ward second as is consistent That's
| for the purpose of covering part of
| second base territory while the sec
| ond baseman is on his way to take a
| IN e
! to take the ball, the third baseman
shifts a little nearer to short. He's
! there to block any possible hit-and-
run play which may be attempted
through short.
Must be Alert
| Whenever a play is made at any of
the bases it's the duty of the out
fielder back of that base to race in
and be ready to pick up any over
throw. Countless games have been
saved by just such alertness.
| All bases are important-but home
plate Is the most important of all. A
team may get 80 runners around to
third but If none scores that team can
not win. So, after ALL the vital place
| to guard is the home plate.
| No play in the game is more daring,
| more dangerous, nor greater than
that of blocking a runner coming into
| the plate. 1t requires courage and
fearlessness for a catcher to stand
there as runner comes at him, spikes
first. But great catcher does it.
The catcher should stand with his
legs apart, so as to invite the player
to slide into the trap. He should
stand solidly SO he won't be upset
by the impast. But he should stand
so that he can move quickly to either
side Of the plate to tag the runner,
| in case the runner elects to slide to
one side or another, instead of plung-
ing straight ahead.
Always when play is made at the
plate, the pitcher, unless otherwise
occupied, should back up the catcher.
If the first baseman isn't guarding
some other runner, he should be back
| ing up, too.
In conclusion, on the subject Of DE
fensive Team Work." these are the
vital requisites:
1. A set of perfect working signals.
! 2. A careful study of every batsman.
3. A perfect working arrangement
, with your mates on every play.
! a. Never let any play go unprOtect-
ed if it's humanity possible to get you
to back up your mates.
5. Keep your eyes open all the time.
6. Follow the ball-always.
Copyright 1921 By King Features