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Show "SihQ DIAMOND Very often some slight remark, that j carries with It a shaft of sarcasm, causes all kinds of trouble on tho ball field. Back seven or eight years ago. I American league ball players felt that ; most of the Boston pitchers were using the "bean ball" to make themselves more effective In a pinch, with a good batter up, It was not uncommon for the Red Sox pitcher to throw the ball so closo to j the batter's head that ho was forced to fall to tho ground to avoid being i bit In the fdang of the ball tield such a ball was known as tho "bean ball " or dusting the batter off While there was no Intent to hit the batsman, it ; WSS the desire of the pitcher to come 1 so close that it to a cerlalti extent intimidated in-timidated tho hatter and took some of his nerve. In a game at St LouLs. with Jimmy Jim-my Austin up and a couple of runners on, the Boston pitcher threw a fast one uncomfortably close to Jimmy's head Chot Thomas was catching for Boston. . "You're S fine guy." said Jimmy, calling for a "bean ball." Thomas merely laughed, which didn't tend to appease Austin's feelings. feel-ings. "Some day some one is going tn get hit and badly hurt, then you will cut out ilustlns off the batter." "That is the funniest thing I have heard In years," said Thomas. "The idea of any pitcher wasting a 'bean ball' on you. We only use that style With good hitters up." Whereupon Jimmy started swinging, swing-ing, and a small sized riot was under Way before tho situation was Gotten Un lor control. |