The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-03-04

over the plate and shouting sleefully,
Tally Pearce one" \
Dicky played on the many open
lots around Brooklyn for many
chance on q real team. He was
considered too small
But. like all little men, Dicky was
cocky. He saw the big fellows play.
and as he peaked through the knot
holes in the fences of the Union
and Capitoline grounds for two
innings and then flashed" his ten
when the gates were opened to the
kids after the second inning. as
was the custom at the time, Dicky
came to the conclusion that he
could play as well as any of the
stars. But how to 'mingle" was
the great question.
The first start he got was to
carry water to the players. and
when he got that job he was the
envy Of all Of his fellows.
Finally he was allowed to carry
the bat of one of his idols, and from
that advancement he was allowed
to chase balls in the outfield while
the big fellows" were at practice.
Then on one long-to-be-remembe
day he was asked to bat against
one OF the pitchers who was out
alone for practice, and he made
base hit. The pitcher took notice
OF him and told his captain there
was promising youngster that
would bear watching.
The regular nine was shy Of one
played one day in a match" and
Dfcky was selected to take his
place. The ambitious youngster wac
put in at right field, a position at
the time that was considered only
fit for the 9scrubs." Any old player
could play right field. But my bold
Dicl<y was there with both feet--not
In fielding. possibly. for nothing
came his way-but at bat the young.
ster was In his element.
He was q hard man to pitch to,
as all midgets have been since,
from Davy Force to Billy Keller,
and Dicky showed up some OF the
regular members I'm getting to first
and getting around the bases.
That accidental chance to play
made Dicky Pearce. He was put on
the regular team and placed at
shortstop. for the reason that he was
considered to be too short-legged to
cover ground in the outfieid.
II was a fortunate selection, Cor
Dicky took to shortstop like duck
to water, and in the first game he
played in that position he showed
such ability that none Of the old.
timers on the team had a chance to
beat him out Of the job. And none
did after that for years and years.
Dicky Pearce's name at shortstcp
for the Atlantics was stereotyped,
and the score cards always had his
name In that position as long as he
played baseball with that club, and
that was for many years.
In fact. Pearce was a close rival
for supremacy in the position.
Pearce was the first player TO
work the flair foul" bah that
was hit by chopping down at the
and then bounding off into foul
ground.
II IL MT tnat 10 FOUL under the
present rules, but In those days there
was no rule that prevented Il from
being perfectly fair. I have seen
both Dickey Pearce and Ross Barnes
get three bases by working this foxy
bit Of batting.
have heard Of home runs being
made on the same hit. but never
saw II done, and I doubt II Dickey
ever did, simply because I do not
imagine that his short legs could
ever carry him the distance, but
many Is the game little Dickey sewed
up by the shrewd stab.
There were lots Of objections and
hit, but no rules could be found to
prevent II, and until the rules were
altered, Dickey always was high up
protests made in those days on that
In the existing batting records.
Pearce, by reason Of that fair
foul" has been credited with origi.
mating the now famous bunt, but as
Dickey worked II the hit was never
intended to be worked as we under