Clipping:A description of the hit and run
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| Date | Sunday, June 24, 1888 |
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| Text | [from Caylor’s letter] [quoting John M. Ward’s How to Become a Player] Every ball player, who pretends to play the game with his brain as well as with his body, should be able to hit in whatever direction he wishes. It may not be always possible to hit in the exact direction desired and of course he can not place the ball in any particular spot, but he can and should be able to hit either to left field or right as the occasion demands. The advantage of this to the player himself and to his team can not be overestimated. For example there is a runner on first who signals to the batter that he will try to steal second on the second ball pitched. When he starts to run the second baseman goes for his base and the entire field between first and second is left open. Now if the batter gets a ball anywhere within reach and taps it down toward right field the chances are that it will be safe and the runner from first will keep right on to third. Oftentimes too the batter himself will reach second on the throw from right field to third to catch the runner ahead of him. Here now by a little head work are runners on third and second where an attempt to smash the ball trusting to luck as to where it should go might have resulted in a double play or at least one man out and no advantage gained. Many a game is won by such scientific work, and the club that can do the most of it day after day, will come in the winners in the finish. When a batter is known as one who will attempt a play of this kind it is usual for the second base man to play well over into right field allowing the second to be covered by the short stop. When the batter discovers such a scheme to catch him he should continue toward right field, in order not to betray his intention, but when the ball is pitched he should turn and hit toward left field. If the short stop has gone to take the base, the space between second and third is left open just as the other side was. [end quotation] ... The plan suggested of the batsman knowing when the base runner is going to start to steal second so that he may hit the ball is a good one to carry out. It will win in the long run. The coacher ought to notify both base runner and batter what ball this double play should be made upon. It could be done by the coacher having a list of word signals which would be understood by all the team. There should be no mistake, either, but on what ball the runner should be off and the batter hit the ball if be a reasonably fair one, or strike at it if it be bad. The starting of the runner usually uncovers the infield at second and short, as both short stop and second baseman are likely to be more intently watching the base runner than the batter. Even if the ball does go at a fielder the base-runner has a start which may prevent a double play. This system was tried frequently by the Mets last year... |
| Source | Cincinnati Commercial Gazette |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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