Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 188, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1914 — Greatest Base Stealers Keep Eyes on Pitchers [ARTICLE]

Greatest Base Stealers Keep Eyes on Pitchers

Did you ever notice that the most successful base stealers are those who study closest the action or the pitchers? In this way they are enabled to “get the jump,” and once a speedy runner gets such a start it is next to impossible for any catcher to throw him out. “Ty" Cobb says that is the' only way to become a successful base stealer. “Those who depend on their natural speed are following the course of greatest opposition, for in these days of accurate and fast throwing catchers the fastest of runners needs a start to successfully pilfer. “I always watch the pitcher closely so I can be certain when he is going to deliver the ball toward the plate or is going to make a snap throw to whatever base I happen to be occupying at the time,” said Cobb.