Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 200, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1911 — ONE EFFECTIVE PLAY [ARTICLE]

ONE EFFECTIVE PLAY

Hlt-and-Run Trick Still Worked ' Successfully. With Man on First Batter Attempts to Hit Ball Through Space Left Vacant by Player Taking Threw to Catch Runner. One of the most effective plays that has wedged its way into the exclusive circles of baseball is the hit-and-run play. As a rule, this performance is negotiated when, with a runner on the paths, a pitcher gets himself into a hole by giving the batter three and two. Invariably, the only exception being when a good pinch hitter, sur-h as Hans Wagner of Pittsburg is at bat and with, runners on, the safest move is to give the big fellow a free ticket and keep his enlarged stick inactive, a twlrler will do his best to slip the next ball across the pan. Then it is np to the batter to connect, for as the mound worker makes the slightest movement toward the plate a part of his motion the runner digs his spikes and is off for the other and more fruitful regions. - The high sign for this play is generally wigwagged when a runner is on first and the batter has three balls on him.- Then if the next offering is wide of the batter there Is no chance of tossing out the runner at second, for he is advanced on the fonr balls. If the delivery Is over the plate a connection by the batter probably means something doing. As In all other sports, the fundamental principle Of defense is to break up effective plays of this caliber. Ever since the hit-and-run play broke Into the confines of baseball much has been offered In the form of a remedy. But the play is still worked effectively. With a man on first it is hard for the second baseman or the shortstop to determine whether the runner is attempting to pilfer the second pillow or Whether the signal for a hit-and-run play has been passed. Tbat’s where the hitch comes In, and it is just this element of uncertainty that has made the play a success. The pitcher nine times out of ever? ten, realises that the play is to be attempted, and yet he has got himself in a hole and is hopeless to mar it He hopes the batter in his anxiety to hit the ball will misjudge It and swing wildly, or that his teammates will rise to the occasion and retire the runner, probably negotiating a double play. But a handful of hope doesn’t go a very long way in a baseball game of the present day. When a player attempts to steal second a signal is passed between the shortstop and second as to who will take the throw from the catcher. As the runner digs for the midway either the short fielder or his mate on the opposite side" of the cushion, as the case may be, starts to cover the bag.