Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 September 1880 — Curved Pitching. [ARTICLE]

Curved Pitching.

The Providence (K. I.) Journal thus settled an important matter: “The question of curved pitching has attracted tne attention of scientific and philosophical gentlemen for Ae past two years, and Aere have been those who Stoutly affirmed that it was an utter impossibility for a pitcher to curv.e the gpbenj Jfli manner so often described A the reppyts of ball games. A special committee of Ae Providence Franklin Society/appointed to investigate Ae qnestipn in relation to alleged curves A balls thrown by skillful hands, made a report to the society at a meeting to Ae effect ‘that after three stakes were placed A a direct line, at a distance of abont thirty feet apart, Ae ball was thrown by a person standing behAd Ae first stake A such a manner Aat it passed to Ae right of Ae first, to Ae left of Ae second and to the right of Ae third. The ball was Aen so thrown that it passed to Ae left of Ae first stake, Ae right of Ae second and Ae left of Ae third, Ans demonstrating Ae feet that Ae pitcher has the power to cause Ae ball to curve to Ae right or left at pleasure.’ The commitee gives a scientific explanation of Ae curvilinear motion. The society should receive Ae thanks of Ae fraternity for Aus intelligently solving the mystery, and amateur ball-tossers can practice with a fair prospects of success If the rules are followed.” ,

The Thistle of Scotland. —The Aistle is Ae national badge of Scotland. How it came to be so is here told. Once during an invasion of Scotland by the Danes, they arranged to surprise the Scottish army. It was not considered fair or warlike to attack an enemy in Ae darkness of the night. So Aey resolved to march barefooted, Aat Aeir tramp might not be hearn. Silently, slowly, but steadily they drew nearer and nearer to Ae Scottish camp. Iu a few minutes the surprise would lie complete. Suddenly a loud cry of pain rang through Ae air, startling both invader and invaded. The Scots sprang to their feet, seized Aeir weapons, charged upon Aeir foe, and defeated Aem wiA great slaughter. The cry that saved Aem came from one of Ae Danish soldiers, who wiA his bare foot had trod on a thistle.

Young naan, don’t swear. There is no occasion for swearing outside of a newspaper office, where it is useful in proof-read-ng and indispensably necessary in getting forms to press. It has been known also materially to assist Ae editor in looking over Ae paper after it is printed. But oAerwiae it is a very foolish habit.