The Washington times., 1931-03-07


hitting in general.
During the past 10 days I have
received several letters, asking me
to say something about it. Tr
answer 1 can give only my
guesses at this time. In three OF
four weeks I should be able tc
furnish a better answer to the
problem. Until the pitchers have
got into something like norma,
form it is just guess work tt
tell what the ball will do to curl
hitting.
I find that some people be-
ieve the only difference lies
in the better grip which the
pitcher will get, now that the
stitches have been raised
Others argue that the ball will
be much deader than before.
I can't figure now how the ball
can be much different if the only
change is in the thread. I am
speaking now of the ball which we
will have to hit against in the
American League The National
League ball should be a little
deader, as the cover is thicker
That probably means that there
will not be so much yarn as there
was last year.
Will Travel AS Far.
I am inclined to think that the
new ball when properly hit, will
travel about as far as the 1880
model. The raised stitches may
make the wind resistance greater
and hold back exceptionally long
drives, but this difference should
be slight. AS long as the amount
of cork and rubber remains the
same the ball should be just as
lively. Before We leave the train.
ing camp I will get the views Of
several players and tell you
whether they think they are get.
ting as much distance as they
would have on the same drive a
year ago.
Pitchers should be more ef-
fective, / believe, but we must
wait for the real answer to this
question. We will know better
after their arms get tuned up.
If some of the pitchers who
never had a good curve ball
suddenly develop real curve,
then we can say that the raised
stitches are making a differ.
ence.
If the change in the make up
of the ball really helps the pitch
ers then we will not have so many
home runs as before, chiefly be
cause we won't be hitting the ball
So well. But I still have to be
convinced that when we do hit it
well it will not travel just as faI
as has been the rule in recent
years.
May Help Vet Pitchers
I see that some of the older
pitchers look to the raised stitches
to help them regain winning
form. Perhaps it will. However
il the new ball makes it easier
for the old fellows why won't it
; make the strong young pitchers
even more effective?
"That new ball ought to be
great for yOu," Herb PennOck
said to me the other day, "if
you want to do more pitching"
Well, I have no serious idea OF
taking up pitching again. I die
pitch an entire game on the last
visit of the Yankees to Boston
last September, and I must say
I surprised myself in oeing able
to go so long and get ny W thout
any serious batting rallies against
me. But I have no idea that
could go into the box and do SC
well as a regular thing. Now
and then 1 might do it, ba5 ritch.
ers must work regularly in the
big leagues.
Even though I don't have any
ambition to be a pitcher again
I am going to experiment with
that new ball just as soon as my
arm gets strong enough to make
a real test. I occasionally pitch
curves while fooling around be
fore a ball game, and I am going
tc see whether it is any easier
now than it was last yea~
Copyright 1881. by the Christy
Walsh Syndicate)