Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 203, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1915 — BASERUNNER HAMPERED BY FOXY PLAYER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BASERUNNER HAMPERED BY FOXY PLAYER

There are perhaps more tricks worked by and upon baserunners than there are in any other department of baseball. The 360 feet around that diamond are filled with pitfalls and handicaps that make Tipperary appear close at hand by comparison. One would think that it is a simple matter to run around the bases when making a home run. But against a trained and experienced team it is a hard matter. The batter drives a ball to left center field. If he does not get away from the plate quickly, the catcher will spring in close to him, perhaps drop his mask in front of him, and try to hamper the start. He swings out on to the edge of the grass so as to make a flying turn at first base without losing much ground. The first baseman remains on the inside corner of the bag, or near it, giving the runner Just room enough to pass, and trying to force him to take a wide turn. The pitcher, if he is speedy enough, will try to cut across in front of the runner to throw him off his stride. Both the second baseman and the Bhortstop will hamper him at second, oae holding the bag to make him turn wide, the other trying to force him to make a still wider turn. The third baseman holds him and makes him take the outside route and a wide swing, and even then the shortstop will cut across in front of him as he tears for home, pretending to back up the plate, and after all that

journey he finds the catcher squatted in the line two feet from the plate to block him. Al Bridwell, now with the Feds, pulled a clever one on Joe Tinker when Tinker was with the Cubs and Bridwell with the Giants —and won a game by it. Bridwell was on first base when someone made a hit. The hit was short and sharp, and there was small chance for him to go to third on it. He turned second at full speed. Tinker was watching him and placed himself exactly on the route Bridwell would have to traverse to reach third, and then turned his back to make himself appear innocent of intent to interfere. His object was to make Bridwell turn wide to pass around him and lose perhaps three or four steps iu distance. Bridwell saw the move. He also saw that it was hopeless to try to reach third. Instead he turned second at top speed, dashed up the line, bumped Tinker, grabbed him and fell. In an instant he scrambled to his feet and shouted to the umpire, who turned just in time to see the two men struggling to their feet. Naturally he supposed Tinker had interfered. He let Bridwell go to third — and he scored on a fly and won the game. Not one of the Chicago players kicked. They realized that Bridwell had out-tricked them at their own game, and gave him due credit for It.

Manager Joe Tinker and Al Bridwell.