BRANCH RICKEY BASEBALL FILE SCOUTING REPORTS 1951 A-F Box_52_ Folder__8__ October 5, 1951 ANDERSON, Daniel Ben Tincup has got something here. Barely 18, 180 pounds, probably 6' or 6'1", right hander. His father is an antique dealer up in Iowa. His mother calls him Danny, but he seems embarrassed when anybody else does. He can throw everything and I mean everything. He had no change up on his fast ball, but he has it on his first workout and in my judgement, all four of his pitches (and he has four) are usable. If this boy has any command of himself, has poise, competitive spirit, etc., etc., he will certainly amount to something. You do not have to fool around for four or five years with Anderson. His chrysalis stage is soon over. I see no reason why he cannot go to AAA next year. Everything depends upon stage fright, or possibly give-up-ness. These are things no one can tell about until the boy is under fire. September 17, 1951 James Joseph Anderson A well built left hand pitcher weighing I would guess 175 pounds-180 pounds, only 5' 8" tall. He can throw the ball hard, - harder than Williams. Just fair curve ball. He can get the change of speed on the fast ball, but it makes very little difference what he gets on the way of pitches, he cannot throw one ball out of twenty over the plate, and his record proves it, - if his showing with me needed proof. This boy is what is known as a one-eyed pitcher. At the time of delivery, or at least immediately preceding delivery, he only has one eye on the plate and he pretty nearly cuts that one off. He is one boy in a thousand who would turn his head so far in the act of delivery that he cannot see the plate. I do not believe he will ever get control and I know he will not until he breaks the habit of turning his neck with his body. Do the same thing with him as you do with Williams. It seems to me that the only deal Olean could make with us is to leave the players right on their list subject to draft, and if they are drafted, they get the money and let it go at that, and if they are not drafted, then they become subject to our purchase at $1000 later if we want them. October 4, 1951 ANDERTON, Robert Lives down in Alabama. About 6' 3", slim boy, - nice boy. Ordinary fast ball but it is the best pitch he has. Curve so so. Change of pace curve ball same thing. Cannot tell which is which. Change-up on fast ball no good. No aptitude whatever. He is a lovely kid, innocent. I would be surprised if he is not ignorant of vice, and if so, it is wonderful. He might be a pitcher someday, but it is surely a distant date. Has to pitch in D next year. October 1, 1951 ANTHONY, Lee A big, strong right hand pitcher, 32 years of age, and a nice fellow. I think he knows how to pitch. He has a very good fast ball, - not great. It is not good enough considering that he doesn't have much to go with it. His regular curve ball is very ordinary, - minor league. He has a slow curve ball which he says he can control. May be so. His very best pitch is a screwball which he usually throws as an ordinary pitch. It doesn't rotate very fast and its direction is irregular. However, he can throw it with a fast spin and correct rotation and the ball is then a corker. He insists that he can control it. He must have an additional pitch, - I would say a usable change of speed curve ball, and he must perfect and control the fade-away. He might then have a chance. He is working on this pitch and is turned over to Bill Burwell for further report. October 11, 1951 Babcock Infielder. Looks intelligent, acts intelligent, very young. He can throw. October 2, 1951 BARBAO, Ken A one finger curve bell pitcher. Throws a straight drop, medium speed, curve ball with his fore finger knuckled, and he controls it, and the ball breaks. It is a usable curve. Also has an effective change of speed pitch. His fast ball is good. This chap has good body control. Should become, or perhaps is, a corking good fielder. He has learned the change of speed pitch on his fast ball. About one-half of the time it rotates correctly, and with acceptable velocity. The other half it doesn't. He must master consistency on the pitch. His fast ball is good enough, - very live. Could go to the majors. Sad to say, out of the thirty eight pitchers in this camp, this pitcher is one of the half dozen not over six feet. October 26, 1951 BARBAO, Ken Plenty of speed, particularly when he presses, but when he presses, his control naturally slips away. Nevertheless, his speed is major league. Good curve ball and throws it from two angles, three-quarters, -perhaps a little more toward overhand, and also practically sidearm. Most of the time it is a good curve, -not always. Needs more regularity on this pitch and, of course, better control of the curve and fast ball. I think his change-up can be very effective. He needs to work on it further. His rotation on it is perfect. Nobody can tell how soon he will come, but the date relates to his being able to pin-point any one pitch. Very definitely a prospect, and might become usable at an early date. October 1, 1951 BELL, Bill Big, right hand pitcher, not yet eighteen years of age. Comes from Goldsboro, North Carolina. He throws everything. A great fast ball, a great straight drop curve, a marvelous change of speed on his fast ball and he will have a great change of pace curve ball. He is a major leaguer if ever one was born. Bell is a scarey-cat, -- knows nothing about pitching, and knows he knows nothing. Has no confidence in himself and is highly receptive to advice. He has big ears. This boy should not be coached at anytime by more than one person. Doubtless has to be taught to hold men on base and to field his position, and should be given a lot of batting practice. He is worthy of a lot of attention. October 26, 1951 BELL, Bill He is tense, - a very tense pitcher. Everything he does while pitching is of tremendous importance to him. That is good enough to be complimentary about if, indeed, he were able to relax, - let down we call it, while he is pitching. He is so extremely conscientious about his work and, of course, that makes him wild. He has a world of stuff. Indeed, he has the basic foundation of four distinctive pitches, - great speed when he wants it, corking curve, and both changes. Big, strong, fine in every way. It seems to me that he might be a right handed Hallahan, - all a matter of control. I am not so sure that talking about his lack of control so much and the other emphasis we have put on it and the number of times and the number of people who have probably talked to him about it has made him subconscious of his lack of control, and everytime he winds up to throw a ball, he is thinking about method or means, - in any event his lack of control and that pressure which has been put upon him has not helped him and probably has retarded his naturalness in delivery and hindered his acquiring of better control. He is the type of boy who worries about his work, thinks about it, somehow or other. We have to get him out of that frame of mind. Whenever he gets control, he is a quicky. October 26, 1951 BERAN, Lee Is a better prospect than my first report indicated. His fast ball is better than I thought, and he does have a curve. Take out the word "fair" in my first report on this pitcher as it related to his fast ball. I do not know enough about his ability to hold men on bases and I regard him as a pretty good runner. I do not see any reason why he cannot become a good fielder. October 4, 1951 BERAN, Leon One of nine children, - six older than he. About 5' 11", right hander and his father is a Kansas wheat farmer. He really lives on a farm. Fair fast ball, curve very medium speed, but it curves; has more the effect of a change of speed curve ball. Has about that velocity that makes it difficult to make it a faster or slower one. He worked on a change of speed off his fast ball with some success, - not much. He is a good boy and I mean good. If all our eighteen year old boys in America were like this chap, most certainly God would smile upon us as a nation. He cannot pitch, however, right now. Any slight criticism immediately dampens him. Failure in any respect would make him dejected. He would get discouraged easily in would seem to me. He can be pleasant, but his self-appraisement of failure would make him possibly even disagreeable. Right now he is a good boy in every way. REPORT OF BRANCH RICKEY ON NEW ORLEANS CLUB AS OBSERVED IN ONE GAME AT MEMPHIS ON MAY 29, 1951. BEVAN A twenty year old, 6' 1", I would say, fine build, fine action. He showed no power at the plate tonight, but I do not see any reason why this boy should not hit the ball hard. I would say that he can run, - above average. Showed no lead, and gave no evidence of gambling on a break. Played first base, and at least showed one fine skill,-on a throw from the catcher, he tags to his right, and seems to do the scissors with his right leg naturally. I have yet to see Kiner take a throw and tag to his right at anytime. Bevan did not tag to the ground, but did tag six to eight inches high on several occasions. In this respect he has about two feet on Kiner. His foot shifting was beyond critcism in this game. He touches with both the left and right foot as the play may require. This also is a point entirely beyond Kiner who has never yet been known to touch the base with his left foot. Bevan might become a first baseman. I do not know. I would like to see him at some other infield position, - not because I do not think he can ultimately play first base, but simply because we have pro- spective first basemen in the organization, - boys who ought to do the job. He looks and acts like a good athelete. June 25, 1951 New Orleans Club against Nashville in two games June 21st and June 22nd. BEVAN - Second Base Young, big, strong, runs good enough, and his arm is good enough. He could go major league. I doubt if he ever will, and because of only one reason, and that is because he has no adventure. Takes a six foot lead off first base and doesn't even dare the pitcher with that lead. As far as leads and breaks are concerned, he would do just as well as if he were the slowest runner in the world. It is just too bad that a fellow with his physical set-up should be without any dare whatever. This boy should become a good hitter. When Bevan gets on first base, he says to himself, - "I must not get caught off". He never says to himself, - "I challenge you." He never produces a thought in the pitcher's mind, or the catcher's mind, or anyone's mind that he is liable to run. He seldom will arrive at second base in time to take a man out on a possible double play. I doubt if he is a second baseman. October 8, 1951 BRANCH, Leonard This boy has a fast ball, not great, but the ball is as fast as some major league fast balls. He has no control of it whatever. He throws a curve ball and it is easily his best pitch. In fact, the ball curves. A windmill delivery on it from a 6' 4" fellow helps it out, BUT he has no control whatever of it either. He is honest. Said his control at Modesto was "positively terrible." I asked about his control at Eugene, where he spent the latter part of the season. Branch said it was even worse than at Modesto. He has no ability to learn the change of pace on his fast ball. the ball almost never spins. It just rolls around. He is willing and it is just too bad. He needs a better teacher than I am. He is intelligent, that is to say, he knows what he needs and understands that some of his pitches are bad and some are good. He is understanding. Hate to give up on him. There isn't any point in changing the speed on his curve. His present curve is neither fast or slow, but is good, but is of that velocity that it will be difficult to get a change-up on it either faster or slower. It is the only curve ball he needs or should have. Even if this boy has control of his present curve and fast ball, he must have an additional and distinctively different pitch and, it must be usable. There is a job ahead of him to become a major league pitcher, - a hard job, but he might do it. We really must work on him. October 11, 1951 BRANCH, Leonard I do not know what I said in my previous report about Branch's fast ball, but my judgment today is that he doesn't have one. He has a most deceptive curve, - very effective against righthanders. He must get another pitch. October 3, 1951 BROWN, John He keeps the fingers visibly apart on his fast ball and tight together on his curve. His right thumb protrudes above the ball on his curve noticeably. In other words, the ball is back in the sock on the curve ball much more than on his fast ball. I do not believe the difference is enough to try to change him. I doubt if a coach or batsman will detect it, but it must have further attention. His fast ball is good and his overhand curve is good. He also throws a sidearm curve and in the seven times he threw it, not one was over the plate. His change of speed on the fast ball is a "palm" ball. I do not like it. It is too fast for one thing. He must get a change-up on his fast ball. His change-up on his curve ball might be alright. I need to work on him again. I was rushed for time. I would say that he has to be improved in that respect also. He comes to a quick fielding position. I believe he has general athletic ability. He looks the part anyway. He is certainly worth a lot of attention in this camp. October 5, 1951 This boy does not have control of his change of pace, and in fact he doesn't have a change-up on his curve ball. He says he threw one all summer, but he isn't throwing it now because of a sore elbow. Before he pitches in camp, I want the managers to have a conversation with him about this. October 3, 1951 BUNGE, Arthur An eighteen year old left hander from San Diego. He is 6'3". This boy positively has the best control of a fast ball I have ever seen in any youngster. For about ten straight pitches, a tomato can would have caught nine of them, and he has fair speed. No curve, no change of pace on either his fast or curve balls, but his control, size, youth, and desire make him worthwhile of our attention. The decision to make a pitcher out of this boy is undoubtedly a good one. These boys will work together at the present time under Rex Bowen. If Rex gets anywhere with his job, these boys would then be turned over to Bill Burwell with the purpose of each one getting a better breaking regular curve ball. Kaffel October 4, 1951 BURKLE, John Los Angeles boy about 6" 1" , 180 pounds, right hander. Good speed, fair change of pace curve. His regular curve has velocity, but almost no break. - perceptible, but that is all. He has no change of speed on his fast ball. He could well stand a better slow curve than he has, and he should have a better curve ball. He is working on his change on the fast ball. I believe he will get it. He should be assigned for regular work to Bill Burwell or Barrett or any coach who is full of suggestions. This boy is more of the Law type in the field of intelligence. Has the marks of culture about him, courtesy and manners, and all that. He can get out of the thrower class very fast and become a pitcher. He simply needs more material. He requires mechanical attention and help. I would call him a definite prospect, - that he will come as fast as his variables permit. I like him. October 5, 1951 BUTCHKO, Steve This boy is a big right hander from the Pittsburgh District who mystifies me. His fast ball is not very fast and yet batters miss it, and catchers say it does something. I cannot figure it out. I do not know why anybody would miss it, but it does something, that's a cinch, and we will let it go at that. He says he has no curve and he hasn't. It is sort of a left hander's slider, a crazy pitch, but it is a cruve and it should not be taken away from him. He has a change-up on his fast ball, - not very good control of it, but he has it, and he should work on control of it and he will do that. He should be pitched again and eventually he should be given a change of pace curve ball. It would go good with the rest of his stuff as his present so-called curve ball has high velocity. Very honest, frank fellow. I like him personally very much, but I cannot understand how he can pitch with the stuff he's got. (He struck out six straight pretty good hitters in yesterday's ball game.) June 25, 1951 New Orleans Club against Nashville in two games June 21st and June 22nd. CARLSEN - Pitcher The difference between a thrower and a pitcher is the difference between a naked man and a man all dressed up. Carlsen was a pitcher in the game on Thursday night, June 21st. He finished strong, and showed no signs of a damaged arm. He was free and loose. Did not use any observable change of pace pitch off his fast ball, but did use what seemed to be a slow curve. He used a so-called fast curve frequently. I was disadvantageously seated to describe his stuff, but it occurred to me during the game that he could use, and in fact needed an additional pitch, - a knuckle ball, or fade-away, or a take-off on his fast ball, or something. The boy acts intelligent and looks it. He should be pitched regularly and watched closely. Check on his disposition and background. September 12, 1951 CASALE, JERRY - Right Hand Pitcher He will be 18 years of age within a few days. He will weigh about 210 pounds, - apparently overweight, but not unusual in boys of his type and age. Nothing to worry about at that point. This chap can really throw the ball hard. He can throw the ball just about as hard as Bell can throw it. His curve ball is fairly good. Control of everything just about what you would expect from a boy of his pitching experience and particularly his strength. Any boy 18 years of age who can throw a ball as hard as Jerry can throw it will undoubtedly be wild. He comes to me with nothing but two pitches, and he will not acquire the new pitches too fast. He is a born power pitcher and without too much aptitude, but it well can be that he doesn't need too much of that stuff. He is a definite prospective major leaguer even if he never acquires any additional pitch at all. I certainly would like to have him. P.S Branch, hearing my dictation on on Casale, stated that I may be wrong in reference to aptitude. Says Branch, "The boy perhaps has more aptitude than intelligence" and Branch may be right about it. BR October 11, 1951 CAYAVEC, Wm. J. A right hand hitting infielder-outfielder. Very ordinary runner. Looks at the ground invariably on the first twenty feet from home plate as he starts to run. Has good arm, but has shown no power at all in the first half dozen games here. As a matter of fact, he has not hit the ball solidly at anytime. As a major league prospect as an infielder-outfielder, - I do not think so. REPORT OF BRANCH RICKEY ON NEW ORLEANS CLUB AS OBSERVED IN ONE GAME AT MEMPHIS ON MAY 29, 1951. CLARK A little fellow who gives all the appearance of wanting to do a good job. He impressed me as having a very ordinary arm, fair runner, short stepper, no power at the plate. I would rate him a fair Class B ball player. October 6, 1951 CLARK, Lou This boy has had a history of a bad arm. He pitched last year at Greenville, - this year at Brunswick. Hasn't pitcher [sic] very many innings either year. Had a bad arm most of the season. His arm is now sound. He has a pretty good fast ball, and he has learned an "inshoot". In other words, he really has two fast balls. He has no curve at all. It breaks just enough to see it, but no velocity on it. It is an amateur pitch. He must be turned over to Bill Burwell or Red Barrett, but I would say Red Barrett in this case, and next week must be assigned to Barrett, along with others, simply with the idea of improving his curve ball. Red should not hesitate to change him in anyway he pleases, keeping in mind that anyway he might tell him might be the wrong way, but it might suggest something that will help the fellow. You only have something to win if you suggest a dozen different ways eventually getting one that might become effective. I do not know whether he has any aptitude or not, and in/any event, he didn't show much to me. Turn him over to Barrett. By the way, he shows pretty good control of both his fast pitches. October 11, 1951 CLARK, Lou Just a fast ball. Not a thing in the world but a fast ball. He should simply go in the same group under Bill Burwell. He must be given enough instruction to send him home on the 15th pleasantly. For the life of me, I cannot see why he should be sent above C or D next year. I think it would be a mistake to do so. October 6, 1951 COCHRANE, Donald Fair fast ball, nice built, young righthander, last year witth Bartlesville. Will be eighteen right away. Slow curve ball overhand is the same as his regular curve ball, which, he says, he throws three-quarters. The latter is not much good. He really has only one curve ball, - usable in a small league. He is learning a change up on his fast ball and he will get it because he has ambition and will work hard. This boy should be assigned to a partner working on a change-up on his fast ball. Put him with any other pitcher needing this work. October 26, 1951 COCHRANE, Don His curve ball is very good. it has the effect of a change of speed and it curbes, - a downer. Not a great break, but the adaptation of speed and rotation makes it a very unusually effective pitch. The control of his fast ball is not too good but is good enough. To be kept in the quicky prospect blass and by the word quicky, it is my guess that the boy could come to the major league as soon as he gets better control of his fast ball and is able to use he entire assortment. This boy turns his shoulder too much toward first base when runners are on. He must from his hip up turn his body more toward the plate and then must look with indirect vision by turning the neck more toward the bag, or, indeed, he can get the correct body posture and substitute for his present one, a head movement. I notice no fault whatever in his looking at the runner when he starts his delivery but it must be watched and he may have this fault. I have not noticed it. This is the boy who lives in Arkansas, but close to the Missouri line, - Salem, Arkansas. September 12, 1951 CONTILLO, Larry - Left Hand Pitcher A left hander, weighs about 170 pounds, 5' 10". Well mannered, intelligent, inclined toward artistry in pitching, could acquire anything on short notice. Has three of four different pitches of his own and took to both the change of pace on the curve and fast ball immediately, but really doesn't need either one. He has changes of his own. Very bad follow through on pitching. He stands on one leg like a crane, but his good sense and desire would probably overcome must [sic] of the faults in this direction. It is my judgment that this boy's future depends upon the effectiveness of his speed. In other words, it is a question in my mind whether or not he has enough speed to go all the way. If he were able to surround his present fast ball with the artistry of deflective pitches and changes of pace, he, of course, could become a Roe or a pitcher of that type, and he might do that very thing. However, he is a gamble because very few boys develop into Roes. He is a pleasure to work with. September 12, 1951 COVALESKI, JOHN - Infielder An 18 year Eddie Stanky. He runs like him, aggressive, quick, strong arm on the short throws, likes to play, - the winning type. Batting form is o.k. Very ordinary power. A good runner, but not a great runner. Really might become a major leaguer, but probably several years to do it. I would not go too high on him and I doubt the advisability of going after him at all simply because of his present offers, or, at least, negotiations with other major league club. If the player would sign for say $6000 or something like that, I would be much interested. October 2, 1951 CURTISS, Joseph I certainly would have to see him again to have a high estimate. An ordinary fast ball, no curve to speak of, a fair slow curve ball. Nothing impressive. Not one of his different pitches has correct rotation, nor do they spin on any pitch. He should be sent to a Class D club next year surely. He might be turned over to Bill Burwell or someone else for further work. It could be that I am wrong. Judging from his workout with me, I could not recommend any bonus whatever. October 11, 1951 DAVIS, Brandon "They" say this boy cannot throw good enough. I think he can. He throws quick and he knows how to throw, and the ball hops well after it hits the ground. He can run. He knows how to run. He is alert and adventuresome. He will steal bases and take the extra base. He hits fly balls and that is just too bad. He doesn't have power. If George Sisler can help this boy to level his drives, I am positive that this fellow can make the Pittsburgh Club. Form FS 61 PITTSBURGH PLAYER INQUIRY Name Lino Dinoso Position P Address Puerto Guaymas Mexico c/o Guaymas Baseball Club Recommended by Howie Haak & Buck Elliott Address Referred to Scout Howie Haak Date 1/20/51 MP Card SCOUTS REPORT Date Scouted Jan 1, 1951 Where? Guaymas, Mexico Date of Birth 28 yrs Height 5-10 Weight 155 Throws L Bats L High School and Legion Status - College - Detail Report on Ability: Fastball A+ Change A Curve A 3/4 Downers Control A- Remarks: Wirey slender build, reported to have rubber arm, and can pitch every day. Is sneaky fast. knows how to pitch. Didn't like his move to first. Is a whiskey drinker and appears to be a little screwey. Could help a AA or AAA club, Stuff is good enough. Is a Cuban light in color, can't speak English. If you need players and [word removed] up with bad actors he'll fill the bill Believe he can be signed for $400-$450 per month Classification Recommended AA or AAA Position P Future Possibilities AAA Disposition: (To be Filled in by Office Only) Scouts Signature Howie Haak NOTE-Scouts are to complete above report fully and return to Pittsburgh Office as soon as possible REPORT OF MR. BRANCH RICKEY ON NEW ORLEANS CLUB AS OBSERVED IN ONE GAME AT MEMPHIS ON MAY 29, 1951. DORTON A good receiver, a quick arm, and it is strong enough. Impresses me as a very highly intelligent chap. A sort of pest hitter. Does not hit at bad balls and will take a base on balls. He can run pretty good. A gentleman. I think I would like to have him on the PIttsburgh club in 1952. Meyer doesn't rate him at all nor does anyone else, so far as know. June 25, 1951 New Orleans Club against Nashville in two games June 21st and June 22nd. DORTON - Catcher Not a big boy. Not much power. Hustles every second. Albert, (might be a little more aggressive) very intelligent. Quick arm and accurate with it. Fine receiver, - body checks all low pitches. If he can hit a lick, Pittsburgh can use him. I believe this boy would consult pitchers during the game if he had a bit more experience, - knew the batsmen better. I believe a championship major league club could carry this boy. October 11, 1951 FACKLER, Earl In the first half-dozen games here, he has not hit a single ball hard. Look likes he runs very good, his arm is not bad, but his helplessness at bat is apparent to everybody. I do not understand how the fellow with this fine build, - all the physical set-up, can be so utterly unproductive with a piece of wood in his hands. He would do just as well with a lead pencil. September 18, 1951 FISHER, Harry Worked him out as pitcher this morning. He has enough fast ball to pitch anywhere, fair curve ball and a fair change of pace curve ball. He doesn't have any usable change of pace on his fast ball. When he bears down to throw either of his curves, he has no control. I would say that his record for the past three years reflects his ability as a pitcher. This boy has what I would call fine hitting form and a lot of power. Right hand thrower, left hand hitter, and has all the manner and appearance of a splendid gentleman. Doesn't seem to me to be aggressive, or to have any sort of fighting spirit and perhaps no leadership. This is bad because I have in mind making a catcher out of him. He can learn how to throw and has plenty of arm for the job. It is my very conclusive judgment that he can come quickly to the major leagues as a catcher and it is a very final conclusion with me that he can never go to the major leagues in any other position. WOLFE, Edward A big, tall right hander, 22 years of age, living in California. His record at Bartlesville in 1950 was very good and his record this year at Charleston was fairly good. He has a fast ball and he has a high velocity curve, - a very good curve. His change of speed on his fast ball is not good because, first, he doesn't control it, and second, it would not be good if he had good control of it. For one thing, it has too much velocity. His change up on his curve ball is not good enough and his control of that pitch is not good. He needs to learn a change up pitch on both the fast and curve balls. This fellow is a definite prospect. Needs a lot of attention and must have it at the school in Florida this October. October 11, 1951 Flynn A very young right hand hitting infielder from away up in Maine. Very aggressive. Loves to play. Will group up and have power. Doesn't know strike from a ball. Liable to hit at anything. Curve balls upset him terribly. He will get over that. He has a fine arm, and a quick arm, fair runner. Has a champion's heart with lots of adventure both offensively and defensively. Might become a very great player. October 1, 1951 FRIEND, Robert He has every pitch he needs, - fast and curve ball, and change-up on each, and all four are effective. He needs no instruction on any of them. He throws his fast ball with his two fingers far apart and he closes completely on the curve. Without any doubt he has the habit of winding up with his finger position set and there is no reason in this world why the opposing batsmen, to say nothing of the coaches, could know the fast ball from the curve ball and vice versa from the time he starts his windup. He must cover this pitch with his glove in the course of his windup, and in this connection, it would be better if he would start all pitches with his fingers apart, a fast ball indication, or he could start every one as a curve ball with his fingers together, but one or the other should become his continuous habit. This boy cannot hold men on first base nor can he hold men on second base. He is undoubtedly nervous and this may account for his lack of fielding ability. Apparently he has no body control, - almost none whatever. He cannot field his position in any respect. He must be kept constantly on the pitchers fielding practice work, and have special instruction on holding men on bases. Then, whatever time has he left should be devoted to batting in the cages. Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.