The Washington times., 1938-03-03
First SdCker Has
Hazardous Job,
Says Kuhe|
OFTEN SPIKED
Simmons Bangs Three
HomerS in Bootleg
Batting Drill
By FRANK BUCK" O'NEILL


Joe Kuhel sat in the shade, res
ing after his back-bending exc
cises in the high-low game tha
inevitably started when two o
more ballplayers get together o
a baseball field. Bucky Harri
was in the pitchers box tossin
the ball to the hitters.
Bucky refuses to let the youn
pitchers go out on the mound, bu
AL Simmons clamored for actor
and there was no stilling his cries
Kuhel had finished his turn at ba
and was ready to talk about base
ball.
What is the toughest play a
first baseman has to make?"
we asked Kuhel.
RUNNER IN WAY
THE throw to second base
with men running" he said
quickly. Take this setup, for
instance. Men are on first and
second. You have to play the
bag to take a throw from the
pitcher or a snap from the
catcher. You have to be ready
to break to your right to handle
a bali hit toward right field and,
of course, that is where the bat
ter will hit, if he can.
THE batter hits one, a half
topped, slow grounder down to-
ward you.
You have to charge the ball,
and of course, the play is at
second base. The runner starts,
and by the time you get the
ball. he is right in line of your
throw. The shortstop will cover
second, and the second base
man will move in back of you
to take a return throw from
the shortstop.
IF the runners get a good
start" Kuhel continued, "the
shortstop has to get right to
the bag and straddle it, or stand
with one foot on the bag. He
has to protect himself, for the
runner will slide into him and
knock him down to break up a
double play, or maybe to knock
the ball out of his hands.
TupnVxy rJTCu
"It's UP to you to get the
ball there in time for the play,
and with the runner in front of
you, you've got to throw high,
as a rule.
IF you throw too high" Kuhel
said, "the ball will go into left
field and maybe two runs will
score. If the shortstop tried to
play wide of the bag. maybe he
will miss the play and sll hands
will be safe. hate to make
that play. especially in a close
ball game.
Another play puts you on the
spot" he said. "You are play
ing back Of the bag and the
batter hits one that the catcher
has to handle. If you go too
close to the bag. you will draw
the throw right on the runner.
So you have to play wide a step,
give the target and tag the bag
with your foot. On a close play
you may be spiked.
You get your shoes cut pretty
often, at best" Kuhel said. IT
frequently buy four pairs of
shoes per season. Jimmy Foxx
uses five or six pairs of shoes a
year, and so does Hank Green
berg. At $40 per pair (and we
buy our own shoes, that runs
into money"
BOOTLEG BATTING
AL Simmons, having inaugu.
rated what the boys are calling
bootleg batting practice" went
a step further yesterday and made
the first home runs of the year
He hit three balls over the left
field fence. Harris pitched, and
it is admitted that the raven
locked leader is not a pitcher. But
that, in a way, made the per
formance Of Simmons more re
markable. He had to supply his
own power.
His timing was fine. Simmons
incidentally, is about to follow the
lead Of Yves Ferrell and put away
his golf cluos for the duration oi
the training season. After hare
morning workout. golf is a Bit
strenuous, he finds.
Griff has called in two rookie
pitchers, Dain Brainerd and Over
Wright. to fill the positions lef
open by Henry Coppola and Jot
Haynes. Wright pleaded for I:
chance to work under the direc
ton Of Griffith, and the grayinl
leader gave him his chance. Botf
boys will be sent to Charlotte fol
seasoning. Wright won 20 game
with Sanford last year, ans
Brainerd won 10 games with tn,
same team.
President Griffith has writer
to the parents Of Joe Haynes
seeking permission to have al
operation performed on the boy
left arm. An infected bone threat
ems the lads future, and Grit
gladly agreed to have the opera
ton performed ct the expense Q
the club.