Clipping:Backing up plays; playing the outfield in

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19C Clippings
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Date Saturday, May 8, 1880
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[Cincinnati vs. Chicago 5/7/1880] It is safe to say that such a thorough backing of every position in the infield has never be3en seen on a ball-field as that which this team [Chicago] gives. The outfielders are not mere automatons to take in flies and run after grounders; but, wherever a ball goes, or is likely to go, to either of the bases, one of them is there to see that it doesn't get away. Wild throws in a hurry from the catcher or pitcher never get to the outfield. A thrown ball generally finds three men in its track, the baseman, Burns [shortstop], and the corresponding fielder, and, if a ball comes in from the field to either first or third, it finds Corcoran [pitcher] in the position of support, with Flint [catcher] behind him. Capt. Anson plays his field closer in than any other field captain in the league. His theory is that long hits are the exception, and that, while, when they do come they may occasionally go over a fielder's head, the bases so gained will be comparatively few, while the close playing will enable the field to support the diamond and hold runners on short hits to the least possible number of bases.

Source Chicago Times
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Submitted by Richard Hershberger
Origin Initial Hershberger Clippings

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