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Show I SPLIT SISOOND BASEBALL HAS THE CALL; ; PLAYERS WHO ADD SPEED IN DEMAND ISS y Diagram ol ball diamond shows how Speaker stepping back from A to B compels catcher to step from X to Y. lengthening throw from pitcher to catcher and from catcher to second base The distances, of course, are exaggerated, the catcher being forced back no more than ! t)hree reet. Close observers haVo noticed that when, Chapman, leading base stealer of the Cleveland Indians, attempts a steal of second. Tns Speaker, who follows him at bat, steps far back of the batter'3 box The tact is. that Speaker probably has a great deal to do with Chapman's wonderful base stealing record Chapman beat out Ty Cobb this year on the paths. When he- steps back of the plate he Is pulling one of the smoothest I 'pieces of split second 'baseball rt the game The step ortwo he takes throws the catcher'back Ju6t that much 1 farther. It is legal, but it makes the pitcher throw two or three feet farther to the catcher and the catcher throw as much farther to second ( The fraction of a second taken in the extra feet tho bap must ' travel means a great deal on a close decision. It may mean three feet to the baserunner and that three extra feet may mean an extra base end a ball garnet |