Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-08
Griff on Double Plays.

Griffith takes issue with Jimm!
1saminger, Philadelphia sports writer
as to the relative value of the second
or pivot man in the execution of dou.
bic plays as compared with the player
on the initial end of the double killings
Isaminger is quoted, In paying tribute
to two ex-NationalS during discussion
Of double plays, as follows: observers
of base ball will tell you that Wash
1ngton won two pennantS because OF
the facility with which Peckinpaugh
and Stanley Harris could complete dou-
bic plays. In three-way double play
it's the second man handling the bal
who makes the coup possible. Either
Harris or Peckinpaugh could cover and
take the throw without collision with
motion to first"
Griffith is emphatic in his refusal
to subscribe to this theory of double
plays.
ITO state that the second man in
double-play execution is the main play
er is absolutely wrong. If you were
to ask, me to put percentage valuation
upon the first ard second players in the
double-play / would say that the first
man is at least 10 per cent of the play,
with the second or pivot man no more
than 80 per cent valuable in the execu-
ton of the twin killings.
Now, let me make it instantly clear
that have no specific reference to
Roger Peckinpaugh nor Stanley Harris
am commenting solely upon the valua-
ton that Isaminger puts upon the Sec
ond mSn in double-playS. His argu-
ment, it seems, falls of its own weight
IF the second man was so valua
BILE, and Harris was the second man in
the majority of the double plays II
which Rogers, Stanley and Joe Judgt
took place in the years mentioned, why
was there such marked difference II
the double plays after Peck left? Har.
ris still was at second in the pivot po
sition in most of the plays originating
from third base and short.
THE fact of the matter is that thu
man who first handles the ball OF
double-play chances is far more val
liable than the second man. No matte
how good pivot man is, he can de
nothing with that old pill until i
reaches him. Peck could get the bal
to Harris like lightning. Stanley coult
get 1t to Peck in the same way. Bluegt
was bearcat in whipping that ball t.
whichever one was covering But TIT
success of the play depended upon get
ting the ball to second.
There must be no waiting for the
ball to get up to the fielder. He must
go meet it. One extra bound eliminated
by advancing to the ball is equal tc
one full step of the base-runner coins
to first. Peckinpaugh would invariably
save that bounce. So would Harris
Great fielders, both of them. But il
was on the initial end of their double
play work that their greatest aid t.
this most important fielding was found
The pivot man is small potatoes com.
pared with the thrower.''
Griffith looks for another grea-
double-play combination this year fol
the Nationals. Bluege will get that bal
to either Hayes or Stewart with plent,
speed" says the Nationals president
He should be worthy successor o
Peckinpaugh in that respect. "Budd!
Myer will do his end when he is callet
on to start the twin killings, and which
ever of the two second base candidate
gets the call from johnson, feel con
fident he will fill the bill. Hayes ha
as fine throwing arm as ever hav
seen. He may have to be tutored in get
ting the ball away from him on his en-,
Of the double plays, but he will maste
that phase of the game. If fast worl
at the keystone sack is all that is need
ed to put the Nationals over this yea
I believe the Washington fans will hav
much to be enthusiastic about befor
Fall rolls around.