Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 163, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1913 — OLD PLAYER MORE VERSATILE [ARTICLE]

OLD PLAYER MORE VERSATILE

Pitchers Worked In the Outfield and Catchers Filled in Infield—Many Men Now Needed. t ■ One marvels how major league teams a»few years back managed to go through a season with 12 or 13. players when today the average team finds itself pushed for material even though It carry 25 players on its list In the old days few players were ever idle. Pitchers played the outfield when they were not pitching, while catchers were constantly being used in the infield when they could be spared behind the bat. It would seem that the players were more versatile in those days or the standard of play was not as high as It Is today. The average pitcher nowadays can pitch, and that lets him out He could not fill any other position satisfactorily. and is idle about five days out of every week. When the pitchers were forced to play other positions they naturally acquired ability aside from pitching, and this made them of more value to their teams.