Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 157, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1919 — AINSMITH MAKES HIT WITH TIGER OUTFIT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AINSMITH MAKES HIT WITH TIGER OUTFIT

Former Washington Catcher Is Popular in Detroit. Snappy Action, Constant Chattpr and Shrill-Like Whistle Have Made Him a Pronounced Favorite. Copies Cobb’s Style. Eddie Ainsmith, former Washington catcher, Sias jumped into popular favor with the Detroit fans. While the Tigers have always boasted of capable backstops, they have not been the “peppery” kind. Ainsmith, with his snappy action, constant chatter and shrill-like whistle, have made him a pronounced favorite in Tigerland. Ainsmith is catching better than ever and hitting, in fine style. He has changed his system at the plate; Figuring Ty Cobb fair hitter, he copied the Georgian’s style, and seems to be getting away with it. Let Eddie tell the story himself. “I’ve got the wrong style, fellows,” Ainsmith announced to several of the Tigers one afternoon on the spring training trip. “I like Ty’s short, snappy swing, and am going to bat that way. No more .200 average for me; I’m out to graduate into the .250 class this summer. So day after day during the exhibition games the catcher seldom took his eyes off Cobb when the outfielder was up, practicing an abbreviated swift swing from the shoulder himself Instead of a long sweep from far behind. He began getting results immediately. All of his hits have been sharp drives of the Cobb brand, too. Cobb does, swing differently than most hard hitters. No one follows

- through any farther than he does, but he keeps his bat almost in front of him when the pitcher is winding up and then brings it back to his shoulder when about to hit. By starting his bat from this position he undoubtedly gets more accuracy, and it also probably helps him to chop balls through the infield or into vacant sectors of the outfield. It may keep him from pulling as many long drives into right as some lefthanded batters do, but he gets more hits than the others. • . Anyhow, Ty is probably satisfied and Ainsmith will not go back to his old style, at least not for the present. Oh, yes! Eddie also walks to the plate with three bats, pumping them over his right and then the left shoulder. Of course, that part may be due to superstition, so prevalent among ball players.

Eddie Ainsmith.