The Washington times., 1929-03-23

stride.
shown how TO hold the ball. Burke
irnmediatelv followed instructions
.nd desnite a. trace of nervousness
shot in several creditable efforts.
mot so stiff. grip the ball loosely y
and follow through naturally,
Roh's instructor barked. That's II
you've got the idea"
For fully Is minutes, Burke
lahored under the direction OF ms
tutor and was a most enthusiastic
Young man when a stop was caIleu
How'd j do, Garland! ne asheo
In the clubhouse. =,
"Great, everything cons'dereo'
Bra xton replied, ."Just string along
with me, kid. and we may put
something over yet.
Tho screwbal in reality is the
fsdeawav first perfected by Christy
Matthewson. 1t is a. natural de-
livery that may best be described
as the opposite of "a curve.
A screwbaII, breaks in to
Ieft.handed hitter, and away
from q right.haDded sw1nger'
whereas your everyday nook
travels in the other direction.
II was Burke's natural speed
motion that impressed Braxton
most
"That's half the battle" Was sains-
tons prize sOuthpaw declared.
THE rest is up to Bob. With his
natural intelligence and the oeneEt
Of nv experience l am hopeful that
he NAV acquire this most eftortless
of all deliveries"
ITO my personal knowledge there
are now only two big league pitchers
depending on the screWbaH to any
great extent. Herbert Pruett, of
the Philadelphia Nationals, is one.
I suppose I'm the other"
AS has been frequently the case,
1t required a. sore arm to teach
Braxton his stock in trade.
That's the time when a mounds
man must experiment and quit de-
pending on sheer stuff.
"I started my professional career
with Greensboro, of the Piedmont
League, in 1920" Braxton explains.
Having a fair season there while
still a. kid, 1 was transferred to the
Boston Braves the following year.
until 1923, when 1 WAS shipped
to Springfield. Of the Eastern
League. contracted a sore arm
there in May. That furnished
my break.
"F'inding myself unable to use
much stuff, l experimental on a
change of pace with a fast motion.
In this manner l gradually devel-
oued my screwball and finished the
season with a record of II games won
and IA lost while representing a sec.
ond division club.
when 1 bagged "a starts and
dropped only 10 in 1924 and con-
tinued my first pace the next
season, was snapped up by the
New York Yankees, with whom i
reported during the final week of
the season."
Braxton was given few opportuni.
ties by the Hugmen. Starting
twice shortly after reporting, ne
finished neither game and then and
there was judged too frail to go
the route.
II never started a game with
the Yankees I'm 1885, Garland
PROCESSES, Then during the
winter l was traded to Wash.
ingtOm in company with OWt-
fielder Nick CullOp for Dutch
Reuther."
Confined strictly to relief ap
pearances during 1927. the Carolinar
worked in over SO games and seemed
destined to again serve as a rescue
artist last year when an emergency
gave him his chance.
With his pitching staff wrecked
through injuries, Manager Harris ON
Memorial Day summoned Braxton in
from the bullpen and before $4,000
people started him against the team
that had denied him his chance as a
big 1eaguer, the Yankees.
This proved the turning point in
Braxton's career. Not only did he
20 the route but he also held his
old associates score1ess while al
lowing only three hits.
I'VE flyweights must stick to-
G0kher,' Braxton grinned while con.
Versing yesterday. eff I can make
Screwball artist out OF Burke
It will be just another example OF
big things coming in little pack.
ages. We both weigh around 145."
BAFths. engagements. MRVVIa O.