Evening star., 1938-05-22
Games Won
By Running
With Skill
Getting Most From
Teammates Hits
Is Important.
By BUDDY LEWIS,

Young Infielder of the washington Sena-
tors and Leading Run Scorer.
IVES. ball players still have to know
how to run bases! Base stealing
has become almost . rarity. and the
man who bats in the runs usually gets
the glory. But runs still win ball
games and some one has to score those
runs. Here are few pointers to re-
member when you get on base.
OF course, a fast man has the best
chance on the bases. That IS why q
teams fastest men usually bat first
and second in the lineup. right ahead
of the best hitters. But you must use
your head as we'll as your feet.
II you have q chance, size up the
opposing pitcher before you 60 to bat.
Study his motion Try to figure out
just what he does when he is ready
to pitch. Then. when you are on base
and intend to steal, wait until you are
sure he is ready to pitch before start
ing. When you start to steal. don't
take your eyes off the man covering
the bag you are headed for. Watch his
hands and keep away from them as
you come into the bag. Do that every
time you 60 into a base on a close
play.
It's always easier to steal third than
second. You have the pitcher in front
Of you and can watch him. but he
can't very well watch you. The
catcher has a shorter peg to third than
second.
Never steal unless your batter
knows you are going to. Give him .
signal. BY hitting at the ball, he can
delay the catcher q few precious
seconds.
The important thing in base run
ming today is getting the most out Of
a hit by teammate. Keep your eye
on the ball when it is hit. II the ball
goes into right field and you are on
first, good lead and a flying start
will take you to third. You can figure
the same thing on single to deep
center. But watch your coaches at all
times and follow their signals.
Taking lead off first base is i'm
portant but dangerous. Some Pitch
ers specialize in picking men OF the
bag Never take a big lead when
two men are out. Don't get so far
of you can't get back in time to beat
the pitchers throw. But remember
the first baseman has to tag you,
and you can slide into the base il
you are not too far off. You can
take longer leads on the other bases.
The hit-and-run Is a play that is
being used more and more often these
days. especially when a team needs
only run or two. This is how 1t
works: On certain pitch-batter
and runner agree on this beforehand
the runner lights out for the next
base as soon as the pitcher throws.
The batter hits at the pitch no mat
ter what it is. but makes sure he
hits it down toward the ground. The
play generally works, and, if the sur
prise is complete, is sometimes worth
two bases.
A base runner must always keep
his eyes open. He must never let an
AAAAASAACA cAAp uP hIlO COfcE IIle UdSS
when he has long lead. He must
keep his eye on hits and never get
in front Of one.
He must be able to start fast and
have the courage to slide into base.
Sliding is dangerous A boy who Is
easily hurt should never. try it ex-
cept as a last resort A hook slide
is always best-one leg tucked un-
der you, the other stretched out
away from the inflelder, toe into the
bag.
Base running is something few fans
appreciate. Often q rally dies be-
cause a runner goes to sleep" and
fails to take advantage OF the breaks
or gets himself out by overrunning.
And good piece Of running may in
spire your mates to win q tight game,
because it generally upsets the op-
posing pitcher.
You can get help from your own
inflelders. Ask them how they play
when men are on their bases. Then
you will have an idea Of what you
are up against.