Evening star., 1927-03-20
YOUR hANDS !
MUST GE |
AWFUL SORE 1
IlT MUST &c AMFvuY
HARP To CATCH
MATTER JOHNSON

| " Y "
he can throw the hall over almost
before the runner realizes that he has
been observed.
In common with most catchers. /
consider baserunner as on the sacks
to be picked off. Many runners are
not caught in this way, but when they
are the play generally has an impor.
tant bearing on the game. The throw.
ing is a constant annoyance TO the
runner and will often stop him from
taking many advantages of the pitcher
and inf1elder.
Recalls Particular Game.
wen do / remember game which
we played a few years ago and the
effect which this constant throwing
had on the opposition. There were. a
number of speed merchants in the
opposing lineup ana / rallied before
the game had started that l would
have to be mighty careful not to give
them the least advantage.
A left-ha nder was working for us
that day. / don't remember whether
1t was Mogridge or Zachary. AS the
battle opened we held a conference
and 1t was decided that we'd pay spe-
cial attention to these fieet-footed base
runners. and not let them get lead
il they once got on.
True to expectations, they began to
run on me and ! started to cut loose.
At every opportunity | cut that ball
down, throwing to first. as we'll as to
second. / was In pretty good shafe
that day and nailed a number Of their
speedy men.
They discontinued their attempts to
run on me and, In the ninth inning,
this let down proved costly to them
One Of their f1eetest men got on base,
with one gone. Naturally. expected
that at the first opportunity, he would
make a break for second. He didn't
The next man famed. Two gone and
a man on first. Up came one OF their
most dependable hitters. Whack--a
base hit, and the runner on first con
tinued to third. The next man died on
q fly to the 0utfield. we beat them
3-2. The man on first could easily
have scored on the hit had he been on
second when the BLOW was struck: the
score would have been tied and they
would have been on even footing with
us. But he didn't run and away went
the ball game
Balances on His Toes.
In throwing to bases / find that bal
ar1cing on the toes. rather than back
on the heels. facilitates the work, If a
catcher is of exceptional strength his
study may be that of accuracy and not
OF changing position before throwing
Jimmy Archer, old Cub catcher. wa
great at throwing from any positibn.
He could be down on his knees, rsceiv.
Ing pitch, when the runner started
but that wouldn't faze him. Without
Dothering TO rise; he would draw back
that powerful arm OF his, ana, like a
bullet, that ball would shoot through
the air. 1t was a great treat to see
Jimmy In his prime. He was a won.
der.
A. catcher. who hasn't unusual
strength, however, must study hjs mn.
sitiofi in receiving the pitch. so that
the fewest possible movements viii
enable him to get the ball AWAY II,
the shortest time and in so doing
that is, in snap throwing. that the
Dali viii be very light when 1t reaches
the baseman's hands.
Throwing to bases REQUIRES practice.
as much of 1t as the strength of the
arm will permit. How to hold the ball
In throwing Is entirely a natural ac
ton, though ] have found that in SEN
arating the first and second fingers
signify, better control will be had of
the bail at the end of its fight.
A catcher can be of most important
assistance on a bunt by the batter,
wnen the bunt cannot he handled by
A.. e..
watch the baserunners and advice the
player handling the bali as to The
proper base to make the play. Espe.
cialiy In sacrifices Is the catchers adj
vice helpful. and If there ia A chance ~
making Z play IN the runnpr who Is
pelng advanced 1t should be taken.
Inc sacrifice shoh1d not be taken for
granted.
other ways In which a catcher can
contribute to his teams strength. TAX.
ing returns from the outfield. catching
foul flies. backing up first base on
double plays, ETC.. require dilisent
practice by a backstop who il anxious
10 succeed In his chosen calling.
Catching Is Hardest Position.
A youngster intending to follow the
catching profession should realize that
ne ls taking up the hardest position
as Tar as work and physical effort are
concerned, that he is in a position of
giving service and having none in re.
turn-of being considered a machine
as compared to individual stars and
10 players who are in a position to
make plays that are spectacular and
therefore more noticed by playsrs and
fans. The ambitious backstop should
realize that the game for the day is
the pitchers game and the catcher Is
there for the most part to see that the
pitcher does win II. The lad should
be certain that he likes the PLAYING ~
the position better than any othef--if
| not, stop catching and go to the posi-.
| tion that he does enjoy.
Much can he learned by watching
| older, more experienced catchers In
action, and youngster, by studying
| the veteran, can discover whether he
| can use any Of the older mans plavs
or movements.
| ! always thought that Raw Srhalk
was about the best catcher In the
| American League, and believe that
Ray, unknown To himself taught me
many things about the catching pro.
| fesson.
There are other points, helbfiil td
aspiring youngsters which might be
| mentioned, but space forbids at this
time. Ii a lad il really desirous OF
| getting ahead in his chosen field OF
play he will learn by observation OF
other maskmen and through his own
practice and experience.