The Washington times., 1930-05-31
ROBEY HURLS
FINE GAME
ONMOUND
BY GARRETT WATERS

In the days when Walter John
son was hurting them plateward
for the Washington Nationals,
every able-bodied baseball fan
used to like to go out and
see him pitch because his per-
formance was so much finer
than others of his profession.
And, even today, we all would
thrill at the moment if johnson
would walk from the dugout and
take a turn on the mound or re-
Iieve a slipping mate.
Although batting seems to be
the thing in baseball these days,
picthing has not become lost
art. Good pitching still is one
of the prizes Of the diamond and,
when excellent mound perform
ances are given, they shine out
chiefly because to offer a strong
pitching performance these days
is a feat in the midst OF all the
lively hitting and free-scoring
games.
Good pitching in the big
leagues, good pitching in the
minor leagues, good pitching
in the colleges or high schools,
or good pitching on the sand
lots all are welcomed because
the performer in the instance
is the attraction and the at
traction the reason for the
prize game.
Coming down to the lowest
rank of the baSeballer, the sand,
lotter. there have been some
mighty good pitching perform
ances turned in by Sandlotters OF
thu local group. We mention this
group because it is the sandlotte.'
here who gets the most kick out
of his baseball.
While there have been no John
sons and johnson performances
here. there have been some would,
be Big Train efforts-gallant to
the last stand.
We cite an instances which
came to attention only recently.
Lester Robey, they call him
Little Napoleon, on the Western
Electric team in the Industrial
League, pitched gallantly for that
team in a game against Big Print
Shop. Beginning most inausplcl,
ouSly by being pummeled for 4
runs in the first inning, Robey
came back strong from that time
on an pitched his way to a vic
tory with the help of his mates
who supported him ably with the
stick. He had to work at all
times, though, and even up to
the last out in the ninth was
forced to put his all into his
pitches to gain hard earned
victory.
Being somewhat anxious to
win after he had pitched
down his bad start, RObey
got himself into trouble in
the ninth inning by throwing
topped bunt in front of the
plate wild. enabling the run
ner to reach second and an
other runner, who had opened
with a single, to reach third.
Right there is where he set
down to work in getting the
next batter which would re-
tire the side and make victory
for him.
The hitter happened to be
Gimp Shipman, Short-stop of the
Big Print Shop, and cleanup man
for that team. A bingle would
tie the score and anything could
happen thereafter. Robey faceC
the situation and gallantly put
his all in disposing of Shipman
The Gimp was not so easily dis
posed as every pitch Robey ser
we'd was fouled for six times.
Finally Robey wound up anC
let go what looked like his last
effort. Gimp hit it Soundly but
on a fly and catch by the right
fielder ended things and won fol
Robey and Western Electric and
a hard-working effort.
Yep, it's little pitching per
formances like these that make
all baseball games, whether they
be Sandlot, college, high school
minor league or big league con
tests.