The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-15
BILLINGS AIDS.
TIGER STANDING
Detroit Twirler Proves Valua-
BILE Asset-Pitching Is Uni
fOrmly Good

Detroit, Mich, Oct. 15.-Better
pitching is the slogan Of Manager
George Moriarty of the Detroit
Tigers. His team finished in the
first division this year because, on
the whole, the Tigers staff Of Twill
ers showed improvement.
In Haskell Billings, called "Josh"
by his teammates, Moriarty feels
confident he has added a youngster
to his staff destined to- shine in the
majors.
It is an unwritten law in baseball
that all Weavers are known as
Buck" players with the name Of
Young are called "Cy," while "Josh"
is invariably tied on to any player
who answers to the name of Bill
ings." Hence the nickname, given
him as soon as he Joined the ma
jors.
This chap Josh" Billings is un-
usual in that he is a high-brow,
mentally, and wears spectacles, a Ia
Lee Meadows and Carmen Hill,
pitching stars of the Pittsburgh
Pirates. Billings was educated at
Brown University.
Older fans, who recall Jean Dubuc,
a star, of the Tigers pitching staff
a dozen years back. will note great
similarity between the style Of
young Billings and the veteran Du-
buc. And it is only proper that the
resemblance should be most strik-
ing, since it was Dubuc, as coach
at Brown University who instructed
Billings in the art Of pitching.
When Dubuc, who acts as scout
starred, sent Billings to the Tigers,
he expressed the belief that the
youngster was capable. Of making
the grade without any minor league
experience.
Taking Dubuc at his word, Man
ager Moriarty put Billings to the
acid test few days after his ar
rival in Detroit. He beat Boston.
A lot Of pitchers have done that the
past year, 80 his win over the lowly
tailenders caused no undue amount
Of excitement. However, when he
scored . victory over Washington
his second time out, despite the fact
he was in bot water most Of the
game, the critics began to perk up
and take notice Of the young col
legian.
In the two months that be spent
with the club prior to the close Of
the season, Billings didn't turn in a
single poor exhibition Of pitching,
In . majority Of the defeats charged
against him, faulty fielding rather
than weak pitching was the cause.
Billings is a right handler. While
not very tall-he lacks perhaps
three inches Of being q six-footer-
he is Of stocky build and has = fine
pair Of shoulders. He has good speed
and . deceptive delivery; his fast
ball seems to sneak on the batter
He keeps his fast oall low, and mixes
in . fast breaking curve and . good
change Of pace.
A tendency to be wild has some
what Handicapped Billings but hi
control has shown constant improve.
ment. His general style has like.
wise profited ~ the result OF the
coaching from Lefty" Eeifeld, on
Of the best left handlers in the his.
tory Of the game.
ssBillihgs has Z great chance,
says Leifeld, "for he has the stuff
learns fast and has the winning
spirit. It wouldn't surprise mo ],
he won is games for the Tigers mex
The The season Of 1927. BY the way
was . big one Tor first, year BE-
specialized twirlers. formerly . de-
cjded rarity IN the majors. Car
men Hill Of Pittsburgh was the out
standing star among the pitcher,
who use glasses. Other first yea
pitchers WEARING spectacles wer'
GacFayden Of Boston. Pitt Of Nev
YAvk and R3llinen ~ 0akrn3k