Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-06-09
THE BASEBALL
BEAT
BY BURToN HAWKINS
A Feeling of Belonging
BY BURToN HAWKINS

QUIET BALD BILL FISCHER had been an undis-
tngushed plodder the major league scene winning
occasionally but losing more frequently while being
shifted unceremoniousy from the White Sox to the Tigers
to the Senator'S This it's to the htters to prove
that he isn't of the American Leagues more proficient
pitchers.
Fishers steady pitching with the Senator's has been
overshadowed by the hitting herocs Of Harmon Kebrew
and Bob Allison When pitching comebacks are mem
toned the mind naturally leaps in the direction Of Bal
mores Hoyt Wilhelm and that veterans 90 record, but
Fischer has been forging toward prominence.
Bill win be striving for his sixth victory against one
he'll be two trumphs ahead Of last year. when ne also
osti0 With stretching of the imagination, Fischer
at this point could boast an 8-l record.
II was brutal break Fischer got IN spring training
this year He suffered broken left hand when struck by
line drive in batting practice. Previously pulled leg
muscle had slowed him in bid to become one Of the
Senator'S starters
FISCHER HAD PITCHED only IL innings. spread over
three games, when Bobby Makmus shattered his hand
with liner Bill inactive from March 26 to April H.
He was back the mound less than two weeks when
virus leveed him. from April 80 to May H. During that
siege he had to suspect that this could be his
standout season.
What with injury and illness plaguing him, Fishers
control should have suffered but he's Of the leagues
pnpoint performers. He has walked IL in 10 innings
In his last S. innings he has walked every
eight innings That sort Of stnginess is admired by
Manager Cookie Lavagetto.
Fischer represents only $4,000 investment to the
Senators. When Cal Grifth departed for the Hall Of
Fame game in Cooperstown last August he left the names
Of players with his secretary Vivian Haow with
instructions to claim them they appeared the waiver
list Fischer,s popped up Vivian promptly put In
the claim and no excitement whatever was generated
when news of the purchase was reported.
Bill started for the first time Senator against
the White Sox September H. He departed after seven
innings the wrong end Of Al He lost his
next start too but there hope In his 20 defeat by
the Red Sox Boston beat him again, this time by 3d.
and that ended his activity for the year.
WHEN FISCHER FORWARDED his signed contract
to the Senators this spring. he wrote Griffith Il learned
about pitching in three weeks with Washington
than had learned in all my other years in baseball"
He credited Boom Beck pitching coach with getting
him the beam. Becks principal contributions were
teaching Bill TO acquire rhythm and to relax
He has a slick slider and sinker and keeps them
low Those may be the technical for his success
but mounting confidence figures too Cookie made me
feel as II belong Fischer said He gave me the feeling
that I'm part of the club With the White Sox and Tigers
] felt that way"
The 28-year-old highlander believes Camio Pascua
has more equipment than anybody on the washington
staff I'm fact" Bill said II think Pascual Is the best
pitcher In the league, and keep telling him that. All
he needs to be real big winner his share Of the breaks
Fischer is Of the few pitchers who stepped on
every rung Of the ladder route to the majors After
playing the sandlots and in high school he climbed
from Glass through C. B. "A, IA, AAA and the open
classification Pacific Coast League. He started II years
ago, and it's been long haul. a
THE CLIMB WAS interrupted by two years with the
Marines at San Diego, where mild-mannered Bill
cast in the role of hardbitten drill instructor and lived
up to the casting.
Il hated It," Bill said, "but had a job to do was
in charge Of a platoon of rs men. When wanted my
boots shined hollered for my personal shoeshine boy
to do it, the double Everything on the double.
Il had my personal valet and my own mail orderly "
Fischer continued Il kept everybody hopping for the
nine weeks they we're under They were taught to
respond Immediately to any situation no matter how
much they disliked it, had those plaoons sick Of looking
at me- guess but think after about eight weeks most
Of the fellows realized there wasn't anything personal in
t-that they were being taught discipline that might
them later"
Fischer happy with the Senator's Wen do better
Bill said. Il know this-Td hate to be another club
pitching against Allison, Kiebrew, Sievers and Lemon.
Vel runs and Wen be tough to beat"
j