The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-18
By H. G. SALSINGER

" T was while playing right field for
 Detroit that Ty Cobb invented his
 "cross" play. With a runner on first and a fly ball hit to right. not too deep, Cobb would pretend to be set for the catch. He really was set for the catch, hands cupped and feet firmly planted on the ground. Seeing that Cobb apparently intended catching the ball the runner on first would hang close to the bag to prevent Cobb making a snap throw to the first baseman and executing a double play. The man who hit the ball would generally come to a dead stop on his way to first or would turn out entirely, giving up hope. Just as the ball was about to land in Cobb's cupped hands, he would pull the hands away. let the ball strike the ground and then catch it on the rebound. A fast throw to first base and quick relay to second would complete double play.
 He also worked this play with reverse English. He would come tearing Tn on ball and then feigning an attitude that he could not make the catch, would set himself to catch the ball on first bound. The runner on first, sure the ball would fall safe. would dash ma1ly for second. Then Cobb suddenly re- yersed, jumped forward, made the catch and whipped the ball to first base for a double play. Cobb had double play ahead of him either way he made the play and, in the language of the sport, The had 'em going and coming.
 Moved To Center
 Later Crawford became too slow and Cobb was shifted to centerfield. He no longer had the opportunity of making the same plays in centertield and he had to change his tactics. The throws from centerfield were too long and the same situations did not present them selves. It was mechanically impossible to do the sensational work he had deliv- cred in right field.
 But, no matter where Cobb played, he found opportunity to do the spec tacular. He was a born snowman and showmanship with him was a fine art He learned to dive for balls, play not made successfully by many outfielders and burgled by all except the most ex- pert. It requires the keenest kind of batted balls to make diving catches of the kind Cobb made repeatedly. Such Judgment he gradually developed. He had the dexterity, the suppleness anC the quickness to execute them guided by his keen judgment.
 ~ As sr outfielder Cobb was spectacular rather than thorough. He knew how tf put the dramatic touch to his work He never used two hands where h' could give a plausible impression tha he had to use one. He never stood under fly where he had any chance to tak' the ball while running. He always pick cd the most difficult way to do thing but while difficult there had to be thrill involved. He knew the heart O the gallery better than any man tha ever played baseball, and he knew hoy to reach that heart better than an! man in the game. He made study o the natter. No actor better loved ap plausc than Cobb.
 Describes Greatest Play.
 One time he was asked to nam the best fielding play he ever made ant he replied:
 "It was during Detroit Boston gam at old Bonnet Park in Detroit. It wa hot Saturday afternoon, as l remem Der it. We had q comfortable lead Whel the ninth inning opened but Bostol suddenly made one of those rallies With nobody out they got runners t first and second. Jake Stahl, a reliabl batter, was up. Stahl drove low line over second base. It looked ike a sur hit. Both runners were off. sl rinting a top speed So was I. Then noticed tha my only chance was in making a div for the ball and l dived. arms out stretched. l extended my g1oved hand a far as possible and was lucky enough t stab the ball just off the grass. 1t too ] only all instant to jump to my feet a