Identifier: howtoplaybasebal01murn (find matches)
Title: How to play base ball
Year: 1903 (1900s)
Authors: Murnane, T. H. (Timothy Hayes), 1852-1917
Subjects: Baseball
Publisher: New York, American Sports Publishing Co.
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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shoulder, until the pitcher starts his preliminary swing, when I drop the bat down about to the waist, raise it almost perpendicular and then drop it slanting back almost level with the waist, bringing it forward after cutting a triangle. If the ball is timed I usually hit on a line, but if the preliminary swing is poor the ball is likely to go for a fly. I never anticipate the kind of a ball the pitcher is to send me, but get ready for anything over the plate and select a curve when placing the ball to right field. I set firmly on the right foot and step into the ball, being careful not to take too long a stride, as this is likely to cause you to lose sight of the ball. Hugh Jennings, the heady player of the Philadelphia League Club, says: BY HUGH JENNINGS Even a weak batsman can improve his work wonderfully by earnest practice. You must go to the plate fully determined to hit the ball no matter who the pitcher may be. I take the bat up short, as it gives one better control and you can meet a
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How to Play Base Ball. ig ball in close to you. I hold the bat easily on my shoulder and get ready to step with the pitchers swing, holding my heels well together while facing the pitcher. In bunting the bat should be sent well out to meet the ball and then gently drawn back on slow pitched balls, while on speedy ones the hands should be relaxed as the ball meets the stick. This kind of work requires more practice than hitting out. With the hit-and-run game it pays to hit the ball when you can reach it, as it will often give the runner a chance for third base while you are put out at first. It is remarkable how accurately a batsman can meet a pitched ball when not hitting, as his line of vision is not interrupted as it is when he swings, and for this reason a short swing is the best and usually the wrist batsman is the most successful. My advice to players is: practice batting all you can and do not be particular about picking out all good ones, as you grow too stereotyped and more easily laid f

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