The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-16
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TECHNICAL POINTS OF BASEBALL ARE GIVEN BY WAGNER
Former Star Explains Game From Offensive Side
 Of Play
Rx HANs WAGNER

&(Copyright, 132A in United States and America by North American % Nswspspsr paper reservci.1
 When I began this narrative of baseball as I have seen and studied 1t, I had no idea thatrso many busi., ness and professional men would be interested in what you might call the technique of the play. I have re- ceived almost as many requests from elderly fans as from amateur play CTS and young professionals for my. views on the fine points of the game. A cluding articles to sort of final ex- animation in the hope that it will help build up young teams as well as gfveastfe speetatDrs sa,ec}Aarer appre-. ciation of, what the bah players. are, tryipg. to ron thSs field. Many of these questions ars taken from the examination papers Iprepared for the boys at Carnegie Tech, where I was coach -
 In previous articles I have sug- gestedf questions on the defensive side of baseball. These will, be on the offensive side, the side that I like. straishtAway Hitting.
 l. Do you always play the wait ing style of game at the Beginning?
 ?. Is it geod policy to hit the, first ball now and then?
 3. Is there more straightaway hit ting now than in former years?
 4. Do you use straightaway hitting with nd outs?
 5. Do you use straightaway hitting when one run behind or tie score? score? A H Bunting-Sacrifiee.
 1. Do you consider bunting a very important part of the game?
 2. Do you use the sacrifice bunt in close games with no outs? p 3. Do you usually bunt down third base~line with a man on first? With a man on second?
 base so that he can Score on long fly
 The Blunt And Runs
 I. Do you consider the bunt and run .a good play in baseball? II ?. Exactly what is the bunt and run? with a fast man on first base? Y4. Do you use the bunt and run in
 5. Do you use the bunt and run when a couple of runs ahead? Or
 6. If the batter is only fair hit ter is it advisable to use the ount and run instead of the hat and run4s Hut Do They Do Ifs ] That ought to be enough to give tNe baseball squads in college few days thought. Most of the more eX- perienced amateurs could answer these questions. My idea is not to do they do it?
 If they will check up and find whether the club has been paying attention to these things 1t will De a lot of help. good idea is for the team to get together after a game that has been lost or won, for that many important points they have overlooked.
 hope this is not too technical for the average fan. If he, even, will try to figure out the answers to these questions he will be able to under stand a lot of things on a ball field that always have been mystery to him. Instead of razzing players for what may look like a stupid play he will appreciate the fact that perhaps 1t was a well intended ply that hap pened to go wrong. A ball player should never be criticized for doing what he knew to be the right play For instance, nothing looks more stupid than a squeeze play that falls to go through and nothing gives quite so much of a thrill as one that works out as planned.
 There Is a marked difference be- tween the sacrifice play-buntlng 10 advance a runner with the chances of the batter being thrown out-and the bunt and run play.
 .The bunt and run play is another form of the hit and run with the difference that the batter bunts in- stead of hitting hard. In other words the runner starts with the pitcher: awing .on the burA and run. on the sacrifice he may wait to see that the ball is laid down.
 The answers to the first block or questions are almost obvious. The main thing for an amateur team is to see that they are done.
 Take Time For ? sis1nS 2 Up.
 All good ball clubs should play the waiting game at the beginning. It gives them d chance to size up the pitcher, a chance for him to put him self in the hole if he happens to be . little wild. At the same time it is a good policy to hit the first ball now and then.j That upsets the pitchers. $ A man like Mathewson. or Miner Brown Tor instance, would make