^^s?9i|iiili i ifflm I ........111 5 )i Class. Book. COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 3>Jo. Entered According to Act of Congress in the Year 1885 — BY — A. G. SPALDING & BROS., In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. )i,ii^ PREFACE. The great sale following the publication of No. i of Spalding's Hand Book Series on " The Art of Pitching^'' has led to the prompt issue of No. 2 of the series, which is a companion work on " The Art of Battinq^'^ in which are presented interesting chap- ters on what may be termed the science of the art, which are accompanied by explanatory diagrams, and engravings illustrative of the different positions taken in batting. This second work will shortly be fol- lowed by a third book, on " Base Ru7ining and Fielding^'' which will complete a very interesting and instructive series of handbooks on the four de- partments of the national game. While all of these books are especially adapted for the use of the profes- sional class of the exemplars of base ball, they will be found equally useful and interesting to the amateur branch of the fraternity, who form the large majority of the votaries of the game. The low price of each work places them at the command of all, and the result cannot but be greatly advantageous to the growth of the game toward the point of perfect play in its several departments, (5) INTRODUCTION. A noteworthy feature of the improvement which has taken place in the general playing of the game of base ball, has been the marked difTerence in the ad- vance made in the fielding department compared to that of the batting. In the progress of education in the knowledge of what may be termed the "science of the game," the art of batting has greatly lagged behind that of fielding ; and one reason for this has been the fact that but little attention has been jDaid to the study of the theory of skillful batting, while improvement in fielding has been forced on the pro- fessional class by the fact that the great mass of the patrons of the game, while knowing little or nothing about scientific batting, can fully appreciate the beauty of skillful exhibitions in the field ; and hence an im- petus has been given to a spirit of rivalry in fielding excellence, while in regard to batting the incorrect data on which the annual statistics of average play at the bat are made up, and the premium wdiich is offered to "record playing" at the bat by the injudi- cious method of scoring the game, and the promi- nence given to batsmen in the line of heavy hitting, has had the effect of retarding the progress of the true art of skillfully handling the ash. (6) INTRODUCTION. 7 Up to within the past year or two a great deal of the batting done in the professional arena was but little, if any, in advance of that which characterized the prominent clubs of over a dozen years ago. One cause of this failure to improve batting as rapidly as fielding has been, has been the reluctance shown by the professionals to studying up the subject of how to handle the bat properly. For years past the majority of players have gone to the bat possessed either of bad habits in their manner of holding and -swinging the bat, or lacking in knowledge of how to use their bats with the best effect, even if they did stand in a correct position and hold their bats properly. As a general thing, thev have taken their stand at the bat with no fixed rule of action, but simply on the princi- ple of going in for general results, as it were, trusting to what is called "luck." One player's idea is to hit as hard as he can at the first ball that comes within his reach. Another's is to wait for a particular kind of ball, a jDet of his, and then hit it as if his sole object was " to knock the stuffing out of it." This kind of batting Is especially characteristic of " hard hitters" or home-run-hitters — men who think that the end and aim of a batsman Is to make home-runs. This class of batsmen average a home-run hit to about every three or four "outs from poorly-hit balls. Of course, keen sight and muscular strength are 'essentials In batting skill, but judgment and Its practical exem- plification in strategic play are even more important. The batsman who can be most relied upon for a 8 INTRODUgriON. single-base hit is worth two of your home-run class of hitters. The former is the man to win in the long run, though the latter may excel in cutting a dash or making a showy splurge in odd games. In the science of batting there are certain rules, the neglect of which must prove damaging to the bats- man's general play. First comes the rule which requires that he should " stand at ease " when he takes his position at the bat ; that is, to stand so as to be able to swing his bat to meet the ball with the easiest movement at command. Then there comes the rule governing the j^roper method of swinging the bat forward to meet the ball ; in this latter the man- ner in which he stands has an important bearing. The proper poising of the bat preliminary to making the forward swing in striking, too, is an important matter. But the one thing in the science of batting which has, up to within a year or two past, been but little understood, or, if understood, has been sadly neglected, is the rule governing what is technically called ''''facing for •position "-—that is, taking your stand at the bat in such a manner as to lead to the control of the regular swing of tl'Jte bat, causing it to meet the ball so as to send it in the direction of either one or the other of the three outfield positions of the field, viz., The right, center, or left field. More atten. tion has been paid to this by the more intelligent class of professionals of late than ever before, and the result has been, to that extent, improvement in batting* But, as a general thing, chance hitting has been too INTRODUCTION. 9 much in vogue for any marked progress in scientific batting. This, and the paying of too much attention to tlie playing for a record — tiie record in question being one which gives no criterion of skillful play ^t the bat whatever — have been the principal drawbacks to a relative advance in the practical knowledge of the true art of batting, in comparison to that which has characterized the fielding in the game. A great inducement held out to the class of heavy hitters is the prominence given by base ball writers of the sporting papers, and in the columns of the dailies which give space to reports of the doings of the fraternity in the field, to total base hits. Some of these papers not only enlarge the scores with details of two and three base hits and home runs, but they give special prominence in their Introductions to the scores, to the batsmen who excel in making " two baggers," and " three baggers," while they add a spec- ial point of praise to the batsman who scores a home- run, no matter whether the player who makes it has to tire himself out with a 120 yards "spurt," at his utmost speed, to gain a single run, or to bring in one or two base running companions. The practical effect of all this Is to destroy a batsman's ambition to excel as a "team player" in batting, and to drive him into play- ing solely for a high average record of total bases. We hope to show in the following chapters that scientific batting is the basis of successful team work in handling the ash, and that the batsman who can the most easily earn a single base, and who is willing lO INTRODUCTION. to sacrifice his record of total bases and a high aver- age in faulty statistics in order to bring in a needed run, does work in batting in "plaj^ing for the side'' worth all that the most brilliant heavy hitting bats- men ever accomplished. THE ART OF BATTING. In no department of the game are more facilities offered for strategic play than in batting; but it re- quires an intelligent player to engage in it success- fully. The batsman who would be invariably successful must resort to strategy, for if he depends solely upon a quick eye and a strong arm he will fail. These are very excellent as aids, but a comparatively poor dependence to place your trust in altogether. The batsman, when he takes his bat in hand, finds opposed to him nine men, and though to the casual observer it may seem a very easy undertaking to bat a ball out of the reach of only nine men, covering as large a space as a four or fi^e acre field; yet when you come to face nine experienced and active fielders, you will soon be taught to realize the fact that " headwork " is as important an element of success in batting as it is in pitching; and you will then see that to earn bases on hits, and thereby to score runs, you will have to play "point" pretty skillfully. From the moment the batsman takes his stand at the bat, to the time he strikes a fair ball he should stand in proper form for hitting at every ball, or he will be sure to be caught napping by a skillful pitcher, and find himself retiring from a tip, a poorly (II) 13 THE ART OF BATTING. hit ball, or from called strikes, instead of taking a well earned baae. This proper form for a hit is im- portant. It is fatiguing, of course, to stand still and keep prepared for hitting, while ball after ball is sent in out of reach; but it must be done in order to secure chances for hitting the ball you want when it does come. A skillful pitcher is always on the alert to find the batsman "out of form," and not prepared to hit, and the moment he sees him thus standing " on the loose," he is sure to send him a good ball, and the batsman either strikes at it hastily or lets it go by him, only to see the ball fielded easily, or a strike called on him. The batsman is only in proper form for a good hit when he stands squarely on his feet, with the bat grasped firmly about six or eight inches from the end of the handle, and with the point of the bat partly resting over his shoulder. He should never hold it horizontally, and especially should he avoid pointing it toward the pitcher. In fact, the only way in which he can swing it so as to meet the ball at the proper angle is to bring it down from the shoulder; lie then brings the weight of the bat as well as the power of his' arms and wrists to bear upon the stroke. In standing ready, prepared to meet the ball, his right foot should be firmly placed on the ground as a pivot foot, leaving his left foot loosely touching the ground ready for a springy, forward step to give direction to the hit, as an additional impetus to the stroke. THE ART OF BATTING. 13 THE FORWARD SWING OF THE BAT. The batsman who would excel in scientific hitting must study up well the theory of the art. It is one thing to take up the bat and " slug" away with all the force at your command at the ball, with the single idea of hitting the ball as far out in the field as you can; but it is quite another thing to take your stand, bat in hand, well posted in all the points in batting, and ready to match strategic skill in hand- ling the ash against strategic pitching, point for point, and with a special object in view in making every hit. There are many points to learn before a batsman can arrive at any marked degree of skill in hitting. First, he should learn the bearings of the natural swing of the bat in meeting the ball, and the different effect of a swift and a slow stroke in forming 14 THE ART OF BATTING. these bearings. Measuring the semi-circular line of the swing of the bat from its position as it is held over the shoulder, to the point of its meeting the ball, it will be seen that the swiftness of the stroke has a great deal to do with giving direction to the ball. A slow stroke will meet the ball back of the base; a medium stroke will meet it on the line of the base, and a quick stroke in front of it. The lines of these strokes are shown in the above diagram. The slow stroke would send the ball toward the right field; the medium stroke toward the center, and the quick stroke to the left. So much for the .lines of the forward swing of the bat against the ordi- nary speed of the delivery of the ball to the bat. In addition, however, the varying speed of the pitched ball has to be taken into consideration, inasmuch as a slow pitched ball would meet the slow stroke on the line of the base instead of back of it; while a very swiftly pitched ball would meet the swift stroke in the same place, instead of in front of the base. The pace of the ball, therefore, has to be taken into the calculation in estimating the force of the forward swing of the bat in giving the ball any special direc- tion. FACING FOR POSITION. One thing in the science of batting which has only of late years been understood, is the rule governing what is technically called "facing for position" — tRat is, taking your stand at the bat in such a manner THE ART OF BATTING. I5 as to lead to the control of the regular swing of the bat, causing it to meet the ball so as to send it in the direction of either one or the other of the three out- field positions of the field, viz.. The right, center, or left field. This " facing for position" is a subject calling for some study of the rules which govern it. Just as a man stands at the bat, just so will the regu- lar or forward swing of the bat meet the ball, all things, of course, being equal, viz., the rapidity of the forward swing being in proportion to the speed of the delivered ball. But the general direction of the ball, from a regular and proportioned swing of the bat, is governed by the manner in which the batsman stands when prepared to strike at the ball — that is, in proportion as he "faces" for the right, the center or the left. As a general rule, in order to send a ball to the right he should face almost as if the first baseman was going to pitcli the ball to him, and not the pitcher. The three in-fielders, therefore, to face any one of whom the batsman should stand when about to strike at the ball, are the first-base- man, the pitcher and the third-baseman, just as he desires to send the ball in the direction of the right, the center, or the left field. We have frequently seen important batting points lost in a match owing to the failure of the batsman to properly face for position. Take, for instance, the position of a game when a runner is on third base, with but one man out, and the batsman goes to the bat. Without regarding anything but his making a long hit to the outer field, l6 THE ART OF BATTING. he takes his position so that the regular forward swing of the bat will cause it to meet the ball either at the line of the honae base or in front of it, and the result is that the ball is hit either to pitcher, second baseman or short-stop, thereby preventing the runner from going home from third, even if the striker be not put out. Now, had the batting point in this case been properly played, the batsman would have taken up his position so as to have faced for right field, thereby almost insuring the ball's being hit in that direction, in which case the rurmer would have been enabled to score his run even if the batsman had sac- rificed himself by his hit. This is but one phase of the rule governing facing for- position in batting, but it suffices to show the importance of the subject. When a hit to left field is desired the batsman takes his stand as if the short stop in his regular position was about to pitch the ball to him, and this brings the regular forward swing of the bat so as to meet the ball in front of the home base, the diagram show- ing the lines of the forward swing of the bat, and also that of the direction given the ball, as follows. The batsman when about to hit to center field, or to the pitcher, should stand in the ordinary position, the lines of which are shown in the appended diagram. For right field hitting the batsman should face the first baseman, in which case the swing of the bat would meet the ball and send it in direction shown in the appended diagram. If the batsman is a quick hitter he should invariably THE ART OF BATTING. 17 face for right field hitting if the pitching is fast, but if medium paced he would do better to face the pitcher or short stop. The appended cuts illustrate the three positions taken by the batsman when facing for left, center and right field. FACING FOR LEFT FIELD. The dotted lines show not only the position of the bat when the swing is made, but also the direction i8 THE ART OF BATTING. of the forward swing, and of the ball as it leaves the bat. FACING FOR CENTER FIELD. Of course in thus meeting the ball the position of the pitcher as to his standing to the extreme right or left of his position in delivering the ball, should be taken into consideration, as it materially affects the angle of the ball on its return from the bat. THE ART OF BATTING. 19 FACING FOR RIGHT FIELD. High balls are the best to hit at when facing for right field when the pitching is swift; a slight stroke from the bat will frequently send it safe out of reach of the in-fielders, viz. : First baseman and second baseman at right short, and yet not far enough out for the right fielder to catch. 20 THE ART OF BATTING. A close study of the various forces governing the swing of the bat in meeting the ball, and of the rules applicable to "facing for position," will fully prepare the batsman for taking his stand at the bat ready for active service, THE POSITION IN BATTING. The position taken by the batsman when he takes his stand at the bat, has a great deal to do with his sue- THE ART OF BATTING. cess or failure in hittino^. When once a batsman gets into a bad habit, either in his manner of holdinof the bat, or in the way he stands, it is difficult to get out of it, and it always interferes with his success as an effective batsman. Many players are accustomed to hold their bats directly in front of them, and pointed toward the pitcher. This necessitates the with- drawal of the bat previous to swinging it forward to meet the ball, thereby making two movements of 22 THE ART OF BATTING. the bat instead of one, and, of course, marring the aim in striking. This bad position is illustrated in the cut on page 20. STANDING IN GOOD FORM. Confidence is ever3'thing in batting, and you can never feel confidence in your ability to bat well unless you are accustomed to a regular position both in THE ART OF BATTING. 23 standing ready to strike, and ni properly holding your bat so as to use it with the best effect. It is hardly possible for a batsman who is accustomed to strike in what may be called bad form, to hit the ball so as to "place it" where he wants to, because to do this the bat must be swung forward with -an accuracy of aim which a bad method of holding it renders scarcely possible. Here is another faulty method of holding the bat, as shown in the cut on page 3i. In the first cut the batsman is shown in the act ot preparing to meet the ball with his bat poked out straight in front of him. Of course, in order to strike the ball, he must withdraw it so as to make the for- ward swing, and thereby he has to make an un- necessary motion, the effect of which is to disturb his aim in hitting. In the second cut he is shown as standing with his bat held horizontally, and though it is not as bad a position as the other, it is still a faulty one. The cut on page 23 shows a correct position in standing ready for an effective hit. It is that of the late Gen. Thos. vS. Dakin, the old pitcher of the Put- nam Club of Brooklyn of i860. George Wright holds the bat a little further back over the^ shoulder than the General did. The important point is to get the best balance of the bat so that its weight should not trouble the wrists too much. The correct position for a batsman is to stand well on his right foot, having his left foot touching the ground lightly, thereby making his right the pivot foot. By this means he will gain a body swing to 24 THE ART OP^ BATTIXG. give aaditional force to the swing of his arms in bat- ting. In holding the bat, he should keep it poised so as to have it ready for the regular forward swing, as shovs^n in the cut on page 23. Being ready to hit and standing in " good form'' until the bail is sent in which you want, is an im- portant element of success in batting. THE ART OF BATTING. 2^ From the moment the batsman takes his stand at the bat, to the time he hits a fair ball, he should stand in proper form for hitting every single ball pitched to him. Unless he makes this a habit, he will surely be found a ready victim, to a more or less extent, for a skilful, strategic pitcher. The rule, with a good batsman, is always to be in form all the while he is at the bat. This is specially necessary to meet the uncertainties of a curved line delivery. How often do we see batsmen go to the bat, one after the other, and as they take their stand, get into fair form for the first two or three balls, and then, on finding that the pitcher's delivery is rather wild, stand at ease, as it were, quite unprepared to hit in proper form, only to see the ball come in over the base, and at the height indicated, while they either fail to strike at it or miss the ball if they do, simply because they did not stand prepared to meet it, or, in other words, were not in form for batting. The moment a shrewd, strategic pitcher sees a batsman standing at the bat in bad form, he feels sure of capturing him. On the other hand, it bothers the best pitchers to see the batsman untiring in his efforts to stand in good form in his position, and fully prepared to meet every ball pitched to him. This "proper form" for hitting every ball is, of course, fatiguing to the batsman, when the pitching is at all wild, but it must be kept up in order to secure chances for hitting the ball when it comes within fair reach of the bat. A point to play on the pitcher in connection with 26 THE ART OF BATTING. this standing in good form, is to pretend to stand at the bat as if tired of waiting for a good ball, and yet to be on the alert to meet a quickly pitched ball sent in to catch you napping while you are apparently out of form for good hitting. Another good point to play on the pitcher is to deceive him in regard to your facing for position. Suppose, for instance, that when you take your position at the bat you ''face" for a hit to first base.'* The pitcher or catcher, seeing this, will signal the first baseman to play up closer to his base; to the second baseman to go to right short, and to the right fielder to " come in a little." Now, suppose again, that while " facing" for the hit in question you so time the swing of the bat as to meet the ball considerably forward of the base, instead of hitting it to the part of the field your opponents had been led to expect you would by the manner in which you " faced for the hit," the result will be a safe hit to an unguarded quarter, and a pretty display of skilful batting. But this strategic play is anything but easy of accomplishment; a thorough command of the bat, considerable experience, and a quick eye being neces- sary. FIRST BASE HITS. Base hits are the chief criterion of eflfective batting, and earned runs oflf the pitching are the reward of such hitting. Just here comes the pertinent queries of what constitutes a " base hit," and what is an earned run ? With all due regard for the capabilities of the THE ART OF BATTING. 2^ many intelligent and competent scorers who have had to decide upon the questions of base-hits scored and runs earned during the base-ball campaign of 1884 it is a fact well known that the majority are so involuntarily biased by their connection with the clubs for which they score, that scarcely any two can be found who are in full accord in their views on the subject of base-hits and earned runs. When "doctors disagree," an outside individual, who is removed from party bias, must step in and decide the disputed point — as we propose to do in this article on base-hits and earned runs. In rendering a decision likely to govern the matter, we shall be guided, as hitherto, solely by our efforts to promote the best interests of the game in bringing it up to the highest standpoint of a scientific field-sport, and we hope again to merit that attention to our views which has hitherto been accorded them. The first question to be answered is: What is a base hit? and the reply to the query is that it is a hit which secures to the batsman his first base without the aid of even a doubtful error by any one fielder. In order to give a clear definition of the term, how- ever, we enumerate below the special instances in which base-hits are made: Fii'stly. — When a ball is hit fairly along the ground to any part of the field out of possible reach of any of the fielders. Secondly. — When a ball is hit fairly over the heads of any of the in-fielders, and so as to fall short of allowing any of the out-fielders a fair chance to catch it. 25 THE ART OF BATTING. Thi7'dly. — When a high fly-ball is hit fairly over the heads and out of fair reach of the out-fielders. i Fourthly. — When a ground ball is hit with such force from the bat as to render it almost a physical impossibility to stop it, or, if partially stopped, to grasp it in time to throw it accurately to a base- player. Fifthly. — When a line fly ball is hit with such force from the bat as to make it diflicult even to partially stop it, and still more so to hold it on the fly. No one will question the fact, we think, that all of the above hits are base hits which clearl}^ earn first base for the batsman. There is still another hit which earns a base at least three times out of five that the hit is made, and that is when a ball is hit fairly, but in such a manner as to roll slowly to the center of the tiiangle formed by the pitcher, striker, and first baseman's positions. In regard to this last character of hit, we have to state that out of some thirty odd instances during a special period of play in which a ball has been hit in the manner described, we have seen but four successful efforts made to put the striker out, and then it was chiefly the result of slow running to the first base. The difliculty atten- dant upon fielding such a ball is that the pitcher cannot well get it and throw it accurately to first base before the striker can reach his base, while neither can the first baseman run and field it and return to his base in time, nor can the pitcher run across to THE ART OF BATTING. 39 first base and take such ball In time if fielded by the first baseman, even if the two players should agree upon so fielding the ball, which they rarely do. It is rather an accidental hit, it is true — the result of hitting the ball by the bat near to the handle, thereby giving a weak blow to the right. Nevertheless, as it is a hit which effectually — in a large majority of instances — prevents the fielder from getting the ball in time to throw the striker out, it cannot be recorded otherwise than as a base-hit. In regard to the drop- ping of a hard hit line ball on the fly, or the failure to field a hard hit ground ball, there will doubtless be some objection urged to the crediting a base hit for such apparently missed chance. But if any man will realize by practical experience the danger and difficulty of stopping a hot ground-ball that has had a rifle-like twist imparted to it by the blow of the bat, or of securely holding a similarly batted fly-balls he will not hesitate in awarding the batsman the credit of a base-hit for any such ball, which the fielder finds it impossible to stop or to grasp in time to put the striker out. Of course, there are hot ground-balls that should be stopped and picked up in time, and which, if not so fielded, do not yield base-hits, as, also, hot-line balls, which, if not caught, give bases on errors. But the hits we refer to are exceptional ones ; and when they are made, the batsmen who make them are entitled to the credit of base-hits. There are certain bounds to the ability of fielders to stop and catch balls, and these bounds are exceeded in the special cases we refer to. go THE ART OF BATTING. WHAT ARE NOT BASE HITS. We now come to the next important query con- nected with hitting for bases, and that is: " What is not a base hit?" and the reply is conveyed in the following described instances of failures to accept chances for outs. Firstly. — No ball which is hit so as to admit of its being fairly caught on the fly can earn a base. Secondly. — No ball hit to any of the in-fielders in such a way as to admit of their picking it up and throwing it to any baseman in time to put an op- ponent out, can earn a base. Thirdly. — No ball similarly hit to any in-fielder, and which is picked up neatly, but thrown too high or too low or yvide to any baseman, can earn a base. Fourthly. — No ball similarly hit, well picked up, and accurately thrown to a baseman, but which is muffed by the basemen, can earn a base. Fifthly.— No ball hit so as to give an easy op- portunity to any fielder for a catch can earn a base, if the fielder, through the failure of the captain to call him or through any gross carelessness in fielding, fails to avail himself of the plain opportunity for making the catch. Now, there is no questioning the fact that not one of the above hits is such as to be claimed as a base- hit, or a hit that earns a base. The rule which prevents a base being earned by any hit that ■ is marked by a fielding error has its exception, and that THE ART OF BATTING. 3 1 exception is when the hall is sent so swiftly and sharply from the bat as to render it almost impossible for the pluckiest of fielders to stop or hold it. But all ordinary errors, such as dropped fly-balls, bad muffs, wild throws, and failures on the part of base- players to hold good balls thrown to them — all count in preventing base-hits being made. A " hot" ball which is well stopped, but which, in the effort to grasp it, is fumbled, is in a majority of instances an error by the fielder, and prevents a base-hit; while high or line-balls to the out field, which fielders run in for and fail to hold in their efforts to catch them while stooping low near the ground, cannot justly be regarded as errors, and In a majority of instances such hits earn bases. Unfortunately this degree of latitude in judging of base hits in doubtful cases, like the ex- ceptions above noted, open the door to quite a dif- ference in the records of official scores in match games, and hence the inaccuracy of so much of the data on which the season's average are made out. EARNED RUNS. In regard to taking an account of runs scored by skilful batsmen two calculations have to be made — one of runs earned from opportunities offered by the pitcher for base-hits, and the other of runs earned from chances given by the fielders for successful base- running. Of course, no runs can be earned off the pitching unless by base-hits; and no runs can be earned by chances given for successful base-running 32 THE ART OF BATTING. through such direct fielding errors as "dropped fly- balls," « wild throws" and "muffed" or "fumbled" balls; or from such "battery" errors as wild pitches, called balls, or passed balls. The definitions of the term used to designate direct fielding errors are, a missed catchy a muffed ball; a fumbled ball; or a wide throw ; while those used for direct battery errors viz: Errors on which bases are run or runs scored but not on lines given are wild •pitches^ the sixth called ball^ and passed balls^ a wild throw to a base by the catcher being as much of a direct fielding error as is a wild throw to' a base by the pitcher. Any ball dropped by the fielder, fair or foul, which he had a chance to catch, must be recorded as a "missed catch." The fact of his merely touching a fly -ball does not necessitate the record of a miss; he must have had a fair chance oflfered him to catch the ball. On the other hand, the failure to touch the ball does not absolve him from being charged with a missed catch ; for, if a high ball is hit which affords an easy chance for a catch, and the fielder, by lack of activity, or by a palpable error of judgment, fails to properly make an eflfort for the catch, he should be charged with the error. In the case of a chance for a catch, purposely missed in order to secure a chance for a double play from a "force off*," no error should be charged unless the missed chance for the catch is followed by a bad throw to the base player, in which case the bad throw must be charged as the error. A fielder makes a "muflf" when in his efforts to THE ART OF BATTING. 33 field a ball he only partially stops it, or fails to pick it up so as to throw it in time. This does not apply however, to cases of failures to stop or hold very swiftly-batted or thrown balls; but only to palpable errors in failing to field ordinary balls from the bat. A base-player failing to hold a ball not thrown wide to him, makes a muff. But if the ball is thrown to him on the bound, no error is justly chargeable to him if he fails to hold it; while if he does hold it, all the more credit is due him. A fielder is said to "fumble" or "juggle" a baU when, after stopping it, he has to try two or three times to pick it up to throw it. It is a variation of the "muflf," more frequently accidental tlian the re- sult of unskillful play. Wide or "wild" throws are made in two ways — first, by inaccuracy of aim and unskilful throwing; and secondly, by the difficulty of stopping and pick- ing up a hot ball so as to throw it with comparative leisure. Hard hit balls to third base generally il- lustrate the difficulties attendant upon a good thrower's efforts to throw to the other bases ac- curately. A ball thrown over the head of a base- player or fielder, or to either side of him out of reach, or on a low bound, is a "wide throw." All these errors come under the head of "direct field- ing" errors in contra-distinction to "battery errors," which include only passed balls, wild pitches and bases on called balls. Of course no errors follow a swild pitch or a passed ball unless a base is run on it. 3 34 THE ART OF BATTING. "Wild pitches" are balls sent in out of the legitimate reach of the catcher, and on which a base is run. Passed balls are balls "muffed" or "fumbled" by the catcher after having been pitched to him within his legitimate reach, and on which a base is run. In the case of a very swiftly-pitched ball which the catcher holds on the fly but which he cannot gather himself in time to throw to a base to cut off a player, an error ought not to be charged — except, perhaps, on the part of the pitcher in delivering so swiftly when players a running bases. In regard to called balls, of course, only an error can be charged to the pitcher on the sixth called ball which gives the base. It is very questionable whether bases given in called balls should be included in the estimate of runs earned off the pitching. In the first place, the giving ot a base on called balls depends too much upon the umpire's leniency or strictness in in- terpreting the rules, and it is difficult to judge fairly whether a base on called balls is due to the umpire's strictness, the pitcher's wild delivery, or his playing a point to get out of a dangerous hitter; and, as some- times neither is at fiiult, the best way is to ignore called balls altogether, as something not to be used in estimating an earned run. While It is no discredit to a batsman to take a base on called balls. It certainly is not an act to be very proud of; and it may there- fore be set down as neither fornor against the earning of a run, and consequently we leave It out altogether. Runs earned from the pitcher include the following: THE ART OF BATTING. 35 Firstly. — When four base-hits, each giving only one base, are made in succession. Secondly. — When the striker makes a clean home- run. Thirdly. — When the first striker makes a first- base hit, and the second makes a three-base hit, or vice versa. Fourthly, — When the first striker makes a first- base hit, the second a hit which, though limiting the striker to first-base, enables the base-runner to get to third, and the third striker a simple first-base hit. Ordinarily three first-base hits place only three men on bases without scoring a run. Fifthly. — When the first striker makes a first-base hit, and the second striker is put out by a hit to the field which only admits of the striker being put out, and prevents the player forced off, being put out by the ball being held at second or by his being touched while running to second. In such case, should the third striker be similarly put out, thus allowing the base-runner to reach third, a base-hit by the fourth striker would yield an earned run, though only two first-base hits were made; and it would be earned off the pitching, as it is presumed to be a point of play on the part of the pitcher in cases when the first striker makes his first base to deliver the ball so as to force the batsman to hit the ball to an in-fielder, in order that the fielder may capture the base-runner "forced off; "and if he fails to do this he is to be 36 THE ART OP^ BATTING. charged with the style of punishment which an earned run gives. Runs earned from the field differ from those earned off the pitching, to the extent that sharp base-running comes into play as a basis of earned runs off the fielding, while successful base-running does not enter into the calculation of runs earned off the pitching alone. To illustrate the difference, we will quote from actual play : In the Chicago New York game at the Polo grounds on Sept. 25, 1884, in the fifth innings Keli\' of the Chicago Nine led off with a safe bounder to left field on which he easily earned his base. Anson followed with a similar ball to right field, and Williamson followed suit with another, on the latter of which Kelly scored an earned run, and off the pitching. Williamson was then caught napping ofT first base by Ewing, and then Burns hit a ball to Caskins whose wild throw to Cowan at first base sent Burns to second base, the error also sending Anson home, who otherwise would have been kept on third base. Burns afterward reached third base safely, and after PfefFer had been finely caught out on a foul fly by Dorgan at right field — Burns getting to third after the catch had been made — Flint hit a hot grounder to Troy earning his base and sending Burns home, and on Goldsmith's three base hit over Welch's head. Flint scored the fourth run. But for Caskins' wild throw but one run would have been earned off the pitching, as only Kelly would have THE ART OF BATTING. 37 scored his run from base hitting when Dorgan caught PfefFer out. As it was, however, sharp base running yielded an additional run which was earned off the field, while the other two additional runs were scored off the direct errors of the field, chiefly from Caskins' damaging throw. PLACING THE BALL. The highest degree of skill in scientific batting is reached when the batsman can " place a ball" — sent in by swift curved-line pitching — in any part of the field he chooses. It is, however, the most difficult of all batting feats which a batsman can attempt. There are so many points to be learned so as to become thoroughly familiar with them, before this placing of a ball can be accomplished, that it is rarely that one sees this finishing touch in the art of batting exhibited. But when it is at command, what an immense ad- vantage it gives the batsman in outwitting his field- ing opponents, and what an aid it is in sending runners round from first-base to home-base. Then it is that the necessity for making the placing of a ball a feature of a batsman's work becomes plainly apparent. When the professional fraternity have gone through the *' slugging" era, and the ambition to excel in the home-run style of batting has been superseded by more scientific work in handling the ash, the coming batsmen of the future will look back with surprise to think that they should, for so many 38 THE. ART OF BATTING. years, have neglectectso valuable an adjunct of really effective and successful battino:. To hear the g^eneral class of batsmen comment on the efforts made to place a ball in a match, one would be apt to think that it was something next to impossible. The fact is, however, the majority of batsmen are too loth to take the necessary pains to learn how to place a ball. When do you ever see a team practicing scientific batting, or trying to learn to place a ball? When a nine takes the field for preliminary practice before the beginning of a match, some of them take their ac- customed positions in the field while two of them bat "fungo" halls — balls that are tossed up in the air and hit as they fall — to the fielders, and that is about all the practice they get as batsmen. In April, 1884, "^^ saw something better than this attempted on the Philadelphia Club field under Harry Wright's tuition, when the batsmen were allowed to bat at a dozen balls, each pitched to them for hitting purpose. As a general rule all the practice batting is for the pur- pose of giving chances for catches to the fielders. This is of great benefit in fielding improvement, and it is one of the reasons why the fielding leads the bat- ting in its progress tov/ard perfect play. What batsmen require for practice in learning to place balls is to practice against swift curve-line pitching. First, to bat against the " out curves," then against the "in curves;" then to try the various " shoots." But above ail, should the batsman practice wrist play in handling the bat against swift THE ART OF BATTING. 39 pitching-. The most effective placing of the ball is done when runners are on bases and basemen neces- sarily hug their bases closer. With a runner on first base, and especially with one on second, a wrist-play hit of a swiftly pitched ball — almost a tap of the ball, as it were — will place the ball safely to right field and short of the outfielders' position. When a runner, too, is at second, and the second baseman and short- stop's attention is taken up by him, a similarly short hit high ball over the second baseman's head will earn a base, while a quick, sharp hit of the kind made while " facing for the pitcher," will frequently clear the third baseman's reach and send home the runner from second. Club managers or the captains of teams — whichever of the two have the daily training of the team in hand — should insist upon batting prac- tice in placing the ball, for until this is done very lit- tle improvement in batting can be expected. SACRIFICE HITTING. An essential part of good team work in batting is " sacrifice hitting." This is done whenever a bats- man, in his eflforts to place a ball properly when runners are on bases, hits the ball to the field in such a way as to oblige the fielders to put the runner out at first base, thereby enabling the runner at first base when the hit is made, to reach his second base safely. This sacrifice hitting is nearly equivalent to a base hit; in fact, it is fully as eflFective when it is done at the time a runner is at third base and only one man 40 THE ART OF BATTING. out, for then it insures a run, and it is then really more valuable than a base hit made when no runners are on the bases. But sacrifice hits can only follow efforts to place a ball at right field, for otherwise they are merely chance hits. One advantage of a sacrifice hit is, that it relieves the batsman of the onus of being- charged with a poor hit, the latter being, of course, a hit to the field vyhich affords a plain chance for an out, either in the form of an easy catch or a chance to throw a runner out, whether that runner is the striker or a runner forced off. Of course no sacrifice hit can be made when two men are out, nor when there are no runners on bases. Every sacrifice hit which sends a runner home ought to be regarded as a base hit. Indeed, it is questionable whether all sacrifice hits made before more than one man is out should not be so credited, as they yield a base each time. No batsman can make a sacrifice hit if he goes to the bat simply with the idea of "slugging" at the ball, aS then his being put out by a hit which sends the run- ner round to the next base, is entirely an accidental hit. It is only when he makes an effort to place the ball, and in that effort hits it so as to make It a sacri- fice, that he is worthy of the credit of it. THE BATSMAN'S POSITION. Under the new rules of the League code, the bats- man's position has been materially improved, as will be seen by the appended diagrams, the one showing THE ART OF BATTING. 41 the League lines of the position, and the other those of the American Association's code. The advantage possessed by the League position lies in the fact that it affords more space to the bats- man for facing for right field, owing to the increase in width from three to four feet ; and by placing the position nearer to home base by six inches, the bats- man is enabled to reach out that much further for out curve balls. UNDER THE LEAGUE RULE. At the December convention of the National League in 1884, an important amendment was made to the rule defining the batsman's position, first in widening the position from three to four feet, and second. In placing the line of the position nearest the home base at six inches from the corner of the base instead of one 42 THE ART OF BATTING. foot as before. This was done to afford the batsman greater freedom of movement in facing for a hit to right field, and also to enable him to stand nearer the base in reaching for out curve balls. The new lines are shown in the diagram on page 41. It will be seen that the home base line is now ex- actly nine feet in length from the outside lines of the two positions; the batsman can step three feet forward of the base line or three feet back of it; and he can stand four feet distant from the home base or within six inches of it. UNDER THE AMERICAN RULE. The lines of the batsman's position under the American code of rules were not changed at the De- cember convention of 1884, and they remain as shown in the appended diagram. Ift. 3 feet \ \ \ \ \ FUNGOES. There is no worse habit for batsmen to indulge in, than that of batting "fungo" balls ; that is, tossing the THE ART OF BATTING. 43 ball in the air and hitting it to the tield. It trains the eye to meet the ball in batting it in a manner which never occurs in actual play. It ought to be prohibited on every well regulated ball field. If it be necessary to practice the fielder in making catches, or in stop- ping and fielding ground balls, let some outsider or other employe than the team player do the batting. And yet no match takes place on a professional ground that some two or more of the players of the team, in their preliminary practice, do not engage in fungo batting; in fact, they have no other practice at the bat than this child's play style of hitting. When facing the regular pitching in a match, they have to bat against swiftly delivered balls indeed, some are almost a direct line to the bat, and in order to meet such balls with effect, they need all the practice they can have in learning to sight such line balls. It can easily be seen, therefore, what a bad effect practice in hitting at balls which fall to the ground at right angles to the line of the pitcher's regular delivery has. HOME RUN HITTING. All batsmen who go in for a record strive their, ut- most to make home runs. They are well aware of the fact, that the majority of spectators at a match — especially in country towns — know little or nothing of what constitutes real skill in batting; the prevail- ing idea with the crowd being, that the best batsman is the "slugger," who manages to scratch a home run once out of every nine times at the bat. Hence 44 THE ART OF BATTING. the eclat attendant upon a dashing hit of the kind is too tempting to resist, and hence they throw team work in batting to the dogs, and go in for a style of batting which pleases the crowd, though it proves costly in the long run to the success of a team in taking the lead in a championship race. A brief glance at the cost of a home run in wear and tear of a batsman's physical strength,*will show what a draw- back the slugging style of batting is in progress toward scientific hitting and thorough team work at the bat. Suppose nine men of one side in a match, go to the bat, and the first eight make single base hits in succession; the result will be that, when the ninth man goes to the bat, five runs will have been scored and earned, and three men will be occupants of bases; and all this will have been done at the least possible expenditure of physical strength in ruiniing bases. Suppose, on the other hand, that the first five men of the other side had made clean home runs, and that the other three were on bases, ready to be batted home by the ninth man, as in the case of the nine men first at the bat in the game. What vs^ould then have been accomplished ? Simply the same number of runs as by the single base hitters, but at what com- parative cost would the runs have been obtained? The answer is, that while, in the first case, the bats- men who had scored and earned their runs by single hits, v/ould be free from fatigue in running bases, and ready for active field work at once; while the home run hitters would be partially exhausted with their * THE ART OF BATTING. 45 hundred and twenty yards spurts at their utmost speed, and unfit for their field duties without some rest. This is but one view of the subject of tlie costly character of the home run style of hitting, when compared to first-class team work in batting, in going in for single base hits, and good sacrifice hits after trying to place balls. Home runs are, of course, useful, but they should only be made the chief effort of a batsman's play in team work when the bases are occupied, and it will pay to run the chance of failure. Even then we prefer to see a good placer of a ball come to the bat, rather than a slugger. Another objection to home run hitters, lies in the fact, that, as a class, they become the easiest victims to strategic pitching. Besides the desire for the eclat attached to home run hitting elicited by the applause from the ignorant crowd, which acts as an inducement, there are the scoring rules of the game, and the mistaken sys- tem of press reporting in vogue. The former gives ofiicial prominence to the records of total base-hits and ignores sacrifice-hits. The reporters, as a gen- eral rule, see nothing worthy of special praise aside from "two-baggers,'' "three-baggers,'' and "home- runs." The custom of singling out for publication the names of batsmen who make these hits and runs is responsible for their striving more for this sort of glory than for the best interests of the club they represent. Alike in the field and at the bat, a man may do the most effective work in that branch of base ball technically called "sacrifice-play,'' and yet 46 THE ART OF BATTING. not receive a word of credit for it at the hands of many of the reporters. Only let him get in a home- run, even though it be off the weakest kind of pitch- ing, and down will go his name in the score, and laudatory press reports will follow. All this is a hin- drance to the policy of " playing for the side," which is the great essential of success, and the only way for players to render a club the most effective service. Were the recording of two and three base-hits and home-runs al^andoned as a feature of scoring, and the recording of sacrifice-hits and other points of play incidental to earnest and honest co-operative work substituted, there would be much less of "playing for a !-ecord," regardless of the club interests, than there now is. WAITING FOR GOOD BALLS. The waiting for good balls is a strong point to play on a pitcher if it be properly done; but it will not do to wait for balls as too many batsmen do, that is to wait until they get a certain particular ball which is a pet ball with them. One thing essential in waiting for good balls is to be always ready to take prompt advantage of them when they do come, ruid not to be caught napping while out of good form for hitting. It is no discredit to a batsman to be sent to his base on called balls; on the contrary if he has the keen sight and good judgment to stand at the bat ready every time the ball is pitched to meet it and hit it to advantage— something requiring nervy THE ART OF BATTING. 47 play in the face of a battery of swift curved balls — and he can thus drive the pitcher into giving him his base on balls, the batsman is playing a good point. Asa rule, the batsman who can judiciously wait for good balls is a player who very frequently proves troublesome to quick-tempered pitchers. These latter dislike being foiled in their efforts to get batsmen out of form, and when they find a man waiting patiently ball after ball until one comes within reach, and also showing himself to be on the alert to meet the first good ball that comes within his reach, they are very apt to begin to put on extra speed and thereby lose command of the ball to an extent sufficient to have balls called on them, and the result is that the batsman is rewarded for his skilful policy by having his base given him on called balls. Wait for good balls, but do it while being fully on the alert to meet them when they do come in. BATTING FOR THE SIDE. Up to the season of 1884 there was not one out of twenty professional batsmen whoever troubled them- selves about playing for the side at the bat. Fielders might do it sometimes, because a failure to do so is more apparent to outsiders than it is in batting. But to sacrifice the prevailing ambition to play for a batting record at the shrine of playing for the side is seldom thought of by the majority of the professional class of batsmen. Batting for the side is only shown when the efforts of the batsman are exerted solely 48 THE ART OF BATTING. in the interests of enabling his side to score runs. For instance, suppose the first striker has made a base hit and earned and secured first base. The point for the succeeding batsman to phiy before all others is to get that runner forwarded to second base or further round if he can. The batsman who goes in for a record only never troubles himself about the runner who is on the base waiting for a chance to steal to the next base, or to be batted round. He only thinks of the "big hit" he wants to make on. his own special account. If in striving for this special hit, he either forces the runner out anJ thereby gets a base himself or is put out by a running catch in the out-field he considers himself in "hard luck" when such a result is entirely due to his willful and studied neglect of scientific batting. On the other hand if he is a team player — that is a player who in his bcttting as well as fielding makes his own special record of secondary importance to the interests of the team as a whole in winning the game, his whole attention when he goes to the bat will be devoted to the point of doing his best to forward the runner round, if on first base, or in getting the runner home if the latter is on third. In other words, he does his best to play for the side. In doing this he is just as ready to make a sacrifice hit as in any other way to give advantage to the team he is in. PLAYING FOR A RECORD. Though, under the existing method of making out THE ART OF BATTING. 49 the yearly averages of a club team, it apparently pays a batsmau better to play for a record than to bat for the side in his team work,. the latter policy in the long run will inure more to his ultimate benefit than any mere record playing. The latter shows in the list of averages and that is all it does. Take the nine men who lead in the average at the bat in the records of a season's play and place them in a team against nine men who are known to excel in good team work in batting for the side, and the former would prove to be no match for the latter in winning the series of matches for the championship. Take for instance the American records of club average in batting and what do we see; simply the Athletic Club at the head of the list in batting average, though in the pennant race in winning games they stood sixth on the list. In the first place it is not such batting as is now in vogue that wins matches, but superior field- ing and base running, the latter especially. When batsmen learn the art of skilful batting then that de- partment of the game will be more of an essential of success in winning mafches than it now is. In the meantime sharp base running and good field support of effective pitching has far more to do with victory than has the style of batting hitherto in vogue, which is largely that of batting for a record. It would surprise some of the managers of base ball clubs could they get at the inside of the profes- sional player's work and see how many batsmen sacrifice the interests of their club by efforts to play 50 THE ART OF BATTING. for an individual record. The publishing of weekly and monthly averages at the bat also tends strongly to induce the batsmen to go for individual records; and it is pertinent to remark just here that the season's averages as far as published exhibit very plainly the utter uselessness of attempting to estimate a player's value to his team by the figures of his batting averages. CONFIDENCE IN HITTING. Confidence in one's ability to hit the ball with effect is half the battle in batting. To go up to the bat with a feeling of expectancy of ftiilure and only a hope of success, is simply to court defeat. Confidence in hitting is born of a plucky and nervy determina- tion to deserve success by skillful efforts to secure it. It won't do to face the pitcher with any feeling of doubt as to your ability to punish his pitching; nor can you attain any degree of confidence in batting if you have any fear of the speed of the delivery. You must face the hot fire courageously, dependii:g upon keen sight to watch the direction of the ball closely ; and also stand in such form, when ready to meet the ball from a swift delivery, as to insure your being able to step aside safely to avoid the impending blow from a badly pitched ball. There is an innate feeling of confidence in one's ability to hit the ball, which is the result of a practical knowledge of all the points of play in batting, VN^hich leads a batsman skilled in scientific hitting to punish pitching when the slugging THE ART OF BATTING. 5I style of batsman invariably fails. Such a batsman goes up to the bat without a doubt as to his being able to " hit the pitching," and this confident feeling is the very power which enables him to succeed. Without it, practice in batting fails of its primary purpose, which is to give the batsman confidence in hitting. The difference between being confident in hitting and lacking confidence, is often strikingly illustrated when batsmen face a noted strategist for the first time. If, wlien they go to the bat, they are told that they are about to face the most effective pitcher in the country, they will at once imagine that every ball he sends in is fraught with some dan- ger or other to the hopes of a successful hit, which at once deprives them of what little confidence they otherwise might have had. On the other hand, if the pitcher is one they only know of as an untried man in the position — no matter what his real ability may be — they go up to the bat with a degree of con- fidence which almost insures success at the outset. Frank Pidgeon's remark to the Eckfords when they went to the bat to face the Atlantics in the olden days, illustrates the depressing effect prestige of skill has in depriving batsmen of confidence in hitting. Frank said to his men one day, on the old Manor House grounds, when the Eckfords were losing ground in their game with the Atlantics, " Go up to the bat, men, and forget all about these fellows being the Atlantics, and think they are only an ordinary nine you're playing against." It is just such a feeling 52 THE ART OF BATTING. as Frank referred to in this case that loses half the games played. Indeed, some teams, when they face noted rivals, are beaten before they strike a single blow. Sometimes a sudden degree of confidence is in. spired in a certain class of batsmen, when they reach a particular innings in a match, one, for instance, in which they have been generally lucky enough to score runs; and it frequently happens that they will then and there " get onto a streak of batting " which will pull them out of the fire. It was a peculiarity of the old Atlantic batsmen that they never felt discouraged or lost hope of ultimate success in a match until the last man was out in the last innings, and the feeling of confidence in batting which was thus inspired, en- abled them to pull many an apparently lost game out of the fire. Let a man go up to the bat to face the pitcher with the idea that he is too difficult a pitcher to punish, and the very lack of confidence in his own power will make him an easy victim. Let, however, the batsman face the pitching confident that he can, by his quick sight, command of the bat, and ability to prevent the fielder from outwitting him, make good hits, and as sure as the ball comes within his legiti- mate reach he will hit it safely five times out of six. To retain this confidence, therefore, is the essential point in batting; to destroy it, the great point in pitching. THE ART OF BATTING. FOUL AND FAIR BALLS. 53 The important difference between balls hit high from the bat and those hit almost directly to the o-round, as applicable to the rule defining fair and foul hit balls, is frequently lost sight of, alike by players and spectators. If a ball be hit up in the air it becomes "fair" or "foul" according to its falling on "fair" or "foul" ground. But if it be hit direct to the ground^ it becomes "fair" or "foul" according to \X.%Jinal stop- ■pao-e on "fair" or "f ml" ground before passing either first or third base. The appended diagram illustrates the difference above referred to. ^m»^c^&^^ THE BATTING RULES. Rule io. The Batsman'' s Lines must be straight lines forming the boundaries of a space on the right, and of a similar space on the left of the Home Base, six feet long by four feet wide, extending three feet in front of and three feet behind the center of the 54 THE ART OP^ BATTING. Home Base, and with its nearest line distant one foot from the Home Base. Rule 14. The Bat. ( I ) Must be made wholly of wood, except that the handle may be wound with twine not to exceed eighteen inches from the end. (3) It must be round, except that a portion of the Surface may be flat on one side, and it must not ex- ceed two and one-half inches in diameter in the thickest part, and must not exceed forty-two inches in length. Rule 33. A Fair Hit is a ball batted by the Batsman, standing in his position, that first touches the ground, the First Base, the Third Base, the part of the person of a pla^'er, or any other object that is in front of or on either of the Foul Lines, or {excep- tion^ batted directly to the ground by the Batsman, standing in his position, that (whether it first touches Foul or Fair Ground) bounds or rolls within the Foul Lines, between Home and First, or Home and Third Bases, without first touching the person of a player. Rule 33. A Foul Hit is a ball batted by the Batsman, standing in his position, that first touches the ground, the part of the person of a player, or any other object that is behind either of the Foul Lines, or that strikes the person of such Batsman, while standing in his position, or {^exceptio7z) batted directly to the ground by the Batsman, standing in his posi- tion, that (whether it first touches Foul or Fair THT2 ART OF BATTING. 55 Ground) bounds or rolls outside the Foul Lines, be- tween Home and First, or Home and Third Bases, without first touching the person of a player. Rule 34. When a batted ball passes outside the grounds, the Umpire shall decide it fair should it dis- appear within, or foul should it disappear outside of the range of the foul lines, and Rules 33 and 33 are to be construed accordingly. Rule 35. A Strike is ( I ) A ball struck at by the Batsman without its touching his bat; or (3) A ball legally delivered by the Pitcher at the height called for by the Batsman, and over the Home Base, but not struck at by the Batsman. Rule 36. A Foul Strike is a ball batted by the Batsman when any part of his person is upon ground outside the lines of the Batsman's position. Rule 50. The Batsman^ ojt taking his position^ must call for a " High Ball," a " Low Ball," or a " High or Low Ball," and the Umpire shall notify the Pitcher to deliver the ball as required; such call shall not be changed after the first ball delivered. The Umpire shall count and call every " Unfair Ball " delivered by the Pitcher, and every " Dead Ball," if also an "Unfair Ball," as a "Ball;" and he shall also count and call every " Strike." Neither a "Ball" nor a "Strike" shall be called or counted until the ball has passed the Home Base. Rule 51. The Batsman is out^ ( I ) If he fails to take his position at the bat in 56 THE ART OF BATTING. his order of batting, unless the error be discovered, and the proper Batsman takes his position before a fair hit has been made, and in such case the balls and strikes called will be counted in the time at bat of the proper Batsman. (3) If he foils to take his position within one minute after the Umpire has called for the Batsman. (3) If he makes a Foul Hit, and the ball be mo- mentarily held by a fielder before touching the ground, provided it be not caught in a fielder's hat or cap, or touch some object other than the fielder before being caught. (4) If he makes a Foul Strike. (5) If he plainly attempts to hinder the Catcher from fielding the ball, evidently without effort to make a fair hit. Rule 52. 1 he Batsman beco7nes a base runnier ( I ) Instantly after he makes a Fair Hit. (2) Instantly after six Balls have been called by the Umpire. (3) Instantly after three strikes have been de- clared by the Umpire. BASS BAIiIi SHIRTS. FANCY SHIELD SHIRT, LACED SHIRT FRONT. No. o. Extra quality Shirt, of extra heavy flannel, made expressly for our League Club trade, Each. PerDoz any style, White, Blue or Gray $5 oo $54 00 T. Firstquality twilled flanneljWhite, Blue or Red 400 42 ^ '^the plate is shown in the adjoining cut. 'The majority of Leap-ue players use this plate on the toe, ana our No. i,or Pro- fessional Plate, on the heel. Each pair of plates — right and left — are put up with screws. Per p^r Pair. Doz. No. o. Spalding's League Shoe Plate, $ 50 $5 00 No. I. Spalding's Professional Shoe Plate, as shown in the adjoining cut, is made of first quality steel. It is lighter and smaller than the No. o plate, but will render good service. Each pair put up with screws, complete 25 2 c;o No. 2. Spalding's Malleable Iron Shoe Plate, light and durable, with screws 15 15° Any of the above Shoe Plates mailed upon receipt of price. Address A. G. SPALDING 8c BROS., 108 Madison Street, 241 Broadway, CHICAGO. NEW YOKK. BASE BALL CAPS AND HATS. No. II No. 13. No. 19. No. 21. No. No. No. No. No. No. 1 1. No. n. No. 13. No 19. No. 19. No. 21. Leag'ue Parti 'colored Cap $ Base Ball Hat, any color Base Ball Cap, Chicago style, any color, with or v/ithout stripes Base Ball Cap, Boston shape, without star, any colors Ditto, all white only "..,', ...... Base Ball Cap, Jockey shape, any color.. Ditto, all white only , Base Ball Cap, Boston shape, with star.. Base Ball Skull Cap, any color Ditto, white only College Base Ball Cap, any color St. qual. 2d qual. 3d qual. 13 00 iS 00 9 00 [5 00 No. 21. Ditto, white only. Boys' Flannel Caps, p'ir dozen " Cotton Caps, Red, White, or Blue In addition to the styles above mentioned, we are style of Cap known, and will furnish at prices cor'-e; BAT BAGS. 6 00 6 00 6 CO 6 00 6 00 6 00 6 00 6 00 6 00 $4 00 3 00 preparad to make any iponding to above. 9 00 9 00 9 00 9 00 9 00 9 00 9 00 9 00 9 00 No. o. League Club Bat Bag, made of sole leather, with name outside, to hold two dozen bats. Each $iS CO No. 1. Canvas Bat Bag, leather ends, lo hold Iwo dozen bats $5 00 No. 2. Canvas Bat Bag, leather ends, to hold one dozen bats 4 00 No. 01. Spalding's new design, individual, sole leather Bat Bag for two bats, as used by the players of the Chicago club each, 4 00 No. 02. Same size and style as aoove, made of strong canvas. . . " i 50 BASES. No. League Club Bases, made of extra canvas, stuffed and quilted com- plete, with straps and spikes, with- out home plate Per set of three $7 50 Canvas Bases, \vith straps and spikes, complete ^vithout home plate Marble Home plate Iron " " No. 5 c» 3 00 I 00 A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 108 Madison Street, CHICAGO. 241 Broadway, NEW YORK. Spalding's Trade-Marked Catcher's Cloves^ After considerable ex- pense and many experi- ments we have finally perfected a Catcher s Glove that meets with general favor from pro- "^fessional catchers. The olu ot/ie of open backed gloves intro- duced bj us several years ago is still adhered to, but the quality of material and workman- ship has been materially improved, until now we can lay claim to having the best line of catcher's gloves on the market. These gloves do not inter- fere with throwing, can be easily put on and taken oft", and no player subject to sore hands should be without a pair of these gloves. We make these gloves in four difterent grades, as follows : Price per Pair. No. oo. Spalding's Full Left-Hand Catcher's Gloves, made of extra heavy Indian tanned buck, with full left-hand, usual style right hand, open backs and well padded, fully war- ranted. Best catcher's glove made .$3 50 No o. Spalding's League Club Catcher's Gloves, made of extra heavy Indian tanned buck, and carefully selected with special reference to the hard service required of them, open back, well padded, and fully warranted 2 50 No. I. Spalding's Professional Gloves, made of Indian tanned buckskin, open back, well - padded, but not quite as heavy material as the No. o 2 00 No. 2. Spalding's Amateur Gloves, made of lighter buckskin, open back, well padded and adapted for amateur players i 5° No. 3. Spalding's Practice Gloves, made of light material, open back, well padded i 00 No. 4. Spalding's Boy's Gloves, open back, well padded, and made only in boy's sizes i 00 i^^ Any of the above Gloves mailed postpaid on receipt of price. In ordering, please give size of ordinary dress gloves usually worn. A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 108 Madison Street, CHICAGO. 241 Broadway, NEW YORK. Spaldins's Trade-Marked Catcher's Mask. The first Catcher's Mask brought out in 1875, was a very heavy, clumsy affair, and it was not until we invented our open-eyed mask in 1877 that it came into general use. Now it would be considered unsafe and even dangerovis for a catcher to face the swift un- derhand throwing of the pres- ent day unless protected by a reliable mask. The increased demand for these goods has brought manufacturers into the field who, having no repu- tation to sustain, have vied with each other to see how cheap they could make a so- called mask, and in consequence have ignored the essential qualification, strength. A cheaply made, inferior quality of mask is much worse than no protection at all, for a broken wire or one that will not stand the force of the ball without caving in, is liable to disfigure a player for life. We would warn catchers not to trust their faces behind one of these cheap made masks. Our trade-marked masks are made of the very best hard wire, plated to prevent rusting, and well trimmed, and every one is a thorough face protector. We shall make them in three grades as described below, and with our increased facilities for manufacturing, are enabled to improve the quality, and at the same time reduce the price. Beware of counterfeits. None genuine withotct our Trade Mark stamped on each Mask. No. o. Spalding's Special League Mask, used by Each, all the leading professional catchers, extra heavy wire, well padded with goat hair and the padding faced with the best imported dogskin, which is impervious to perspiration and retains its pliability and softness $3 00 No. 2. Spalding's Amateur Mask, made the same size and general style as the League Mask, but with lighter wire and faced with leather, (we guarantee this mask to be superior to so- called professional Masks sold by other manu- facturers) „ 2 00 No. 3. Spalding's Boy's Mask, similar to the Ama- teur Mask, only made smaller to fit a boy's face I 75 It^* Any of these Masks mailed postpaid on receipt of price. SPALDING'S T RADE-M ARKED BATS. These celebrated bats were first introduced in 1877, and they have e-radually grown into popularity, until now they are used almost exclusively by ail prominent professional and amateur players. AUthetimber used in these bats is allowed to season from one to two yeurs'in the sim before being made up, and the result is we are enabled to make much lip hter and stronger bats than ^\ here the limber is hastily "kiln-dried." as done bv nearly all manufacturers of ch. ap L'oods. Each but is turned by hand, after the most approved and varied models, and if found to answer the requirements as to weight, size, length, etc. the trade-mark is stamped on each bat to insure its genuineness. We point with much pride to the handsome testimonials given these bats bv the leading batters of the country, as shown by their universal and continued use. PRICES. SPALDING'S TRADE MAE-KED BATS. Each. No. GO. Spalding's 2d Growth Ash, Black Band League Bat, Patent Granulated Han- dle. 7SC " o. Spalding^s 2d Growth Ash, Black Band, League Bat, Plain Handle 7Sc " I Spalding's Trade Marked Ash Bat 40c j< 2 " " " Cherry Bat.. 40c « * << " " Bass " .. 30c „ ^' « " «< Willow *' .. Soc Tb " Boy's " " Ash " .. 30c ^g' << '' " «' Bass •' .. 2SC SPALDING'S TRADE MARKED FANCY BATS. A. Spalding's Fancy Ash, Full Polished. 6oc p^p^ ' It ^^ " «' " and Patent Granulated Handle 75^ B. Spalding's Fancy Bass, Full Polished . 60c JJJ3 %-i »- C:S -"^ c 3 O i^ s ^- cS o . |M i o C/30 108 jr^r-^^y^-^ . o o a> 8:2 »: OS (i> a> CO beg ^* w o 2 bO'O c >3 C ^ c TJ ^ n. «J c4 o u £i ?. c 13 o (L) cfl >^ ^ ^ & C o CO W JC (U 1 rt ^ 3 r. 6 u, ^ ^ cl fe ffi > >^ CJ 52; ^ b ■M P d) J2 S c 0, 0- «> i^ >-. 3m .^j i-i 3 TJ g= TJ C >-, ^ C Si a n: Q rt Vl J3 < H (L> J3 :c-. A. G. SPAIiDING & BROS. 241 BBOADWAY, - - JV^JS^TT YOJRK. 108 Madison Street, Chicago. ? 'iirn % 6 9Z9 006 900 ss3dONoodo AdVbian