Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 204, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1910 — MUST FORGET YOURSELF AND WORK FOR THE TEAM [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MUST FORGET YOURSELF AND WORK FOR THE TEAM

“KITTY” BRANSFIELD, PHILLIES' FIRST BASEMAN, BAYS INDIVIDUAL PLAYING AND BRILLIANCY * DON'T BRING VICTORIES. By “KITTY” BRANSFIELD. (Copyright, 1910, by Joseph B. Bowles.> I used to think that baseball consisted mainly of individual playing, brilliancy and ability to hit and run and field. It took a long time for me to learn that there is little more to the game than working hard, studying hard and putting forth one’s best effort to win games. Forgetting oneself and working for the team, making as many errors as it is possible to make if there is a chance to get one’s hands on the ball, giving up base hits to get runs for the team, are what count. Also I think that a player who joins a club should first of all think how. he can help his maanger. No matter what he thinks of the team, the manager or the orders, the players should obey. I think learning to obey, without questioning and then keeping one’s mouth shut no matter how it turns out is the hardest thing a ball player has to learn. Some of us never learn it. Failure to learn this thing spoils many players. I would urge a young player just breaking la to do two things; first to think and’ study, and second, but even more Important, to keep gyiet, no matter what he thinks. A player should save all' his conversation for the other team. As for playing first base; there are those who would consider me presumptuous to try to tell anyone how, to play first, but also one may know a lot more about playing the position than he is able to show or even prove. I think I know a lot more that I can deliver, and I think, also, if I had known 4 as much when I started as I do now I would have been a lot better ball player, so there Is no conceit in trying to tell how I think it should be

played. First, stick to that base as long as there is a chance for a play coming there. More games are lost by deserting the base than in any other way. Second, watch the batters all the time, and study your own pitchers. A first baseman can work much freer with some pitchers than with others. A study of the angles off first is essential and also the skill of men in sliding or driving back to the base. One must know how men come back to the base. The first baseman should avoid troubling the pitchers by calling for throws to catch runners. He should use his own judgment and call only for the Ball when he thinks there is a chance to get the ball. He must watch the pitcher’s every move, to see if he is going to. throw to keep runners from starting, and keep an eye always on the catcher to see the signals. One break is likely to cost a game, and the baseman must keep thinking all the time. There is little use trying to tell any player how to execute the mechanical part of the game. He must do the best he can in the mechanical line —for each man has his limitations. The style of playing first base is changing rapidly and I think that Inside of ten years every first baseman will be left handed, providing the managers can find left handers enough to fill the jobs.

"Kitty” Bransfield.