Clipping:A dissent on the prevalence of underhand throwing
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| Date | Sunday, February 25, 1872 |
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| Text | To talk plainly, there is hardly a man in the fraternity who cannot distinguish between a square pitch, a jerk, or an “underhand throw.” Mr. Chadwick says that the practice was only allowable on account of the excellent “development” of the game which it produced, when, in point of fact, it has never been allowed at all, and there is not a ball-ground in the country upon which a pitcher would attempt an underhand throw without being instantly and emphatically ruled out. The talk about the arm being perfectly perpendicular, and regarding the twist of the wrist and elbow is all balderdash, and any lad of moderate discernment knows what the movement of a throw is. If it is practiced, it is in a very slight degree, and in the lightning movement of such pitchers as McBride, Zettlein or Spaulding would almost be impossible to detect. McBride pitches mostly with his body, its attitude helping the peculiar movement of the ball, slanting it up and across toward the end of the bat. The question has been raised as to the legality of Cummings’ pitching, and we must confess that it comes closer to an underhand throw than that of any other pitcher in the country. Martin, too, uses the turn of the arm and wrist, and although it is done toward his body, he could not otherwise impart the peculiar movement to the ball that he does, and it is a clean toss, having very little “pitch” about it. ... Mr. Chadwick proposes to amend the rules so as to allow the pitcher to throw underhand. The natural result of such an abuse would be that no catcher in the country could play over two games a week, and even then he would in every contest risk the mangling of his hands to such an extent as would incapacitate him for the balance of the season. |
| Source | Philadelphia Sunday Dispatch |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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