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Show BATTER SHOULD HIT THE BALL WHEN A STEAL IS ATTEMPTED The fact that foul balls are ao frequently fre-quently hit when a runner starts to steal second has prompted several fans to make Inquiry as to whether for thla there Is a scientific reason. There la. Often you see a runner start for second and just as h. Is about to reach the ba safely the batter wUl foul oft the bail and the runner has to return to first. AU around the stand you will hear grunts of disapproval like this: "Chump! What did he want to hit at it for? He had the base stolen sure." You all have heard it. Baseball science and experience teach that a batter should always hit at the ball when a steal of second is attempted, and, moreover, he should try to hit the ball. If he misses the base runner will naturally have a better opportunity of being be-ing safe, as the swing; will confute the catcher. But the main object is for the batter to hit the ball. When a runner starts for second either the second baseman or the shortstop is going to cover the bag, and the other may take a chance on backing him up. This will leave two positions practically uncovered, or. rather, there will be two holes In the Infield, and if the batter can poke a ball through It, so much the better. bet-ter. Instead of a stolen base the former bane runner will have gon. to third and the batter will be on first. Do you see the Idea? M , tfi If the batter does not succeed In hitting hit-ting the ball the runner will have that much better chance of getting the base. So you see the plan works to advantage both ways. If the batter waited, the runner run-ner might be thrown out and neither would be any better off. In attempting this play the batter naturally hits many fouls, as he must strike at every ball that goes by. Now. in the future, don't be worried because the runner has to return to first. Both men are playing the game. |