SATO WRITES HOME
Sato, the only member of the Jap nation at the university that year,
had not attended any of the games at Lowell up to this time, but the
excitement around the school caused him to follow the crowd one day,
and afterwards he wrote home to Prince Igo, his father, his impressions
of the great National Game as follows:
“Baseballing is great college sport presently. I walk to-day much
distance to where town ceases and come against high board fences; also
law guardian, from which issue big noises frequent. Then silence great.
Soon of each more. I ask law guardian why such yells.
“He reply, ‘It is the fans. Man came home.’ Am now desirous also to
welcome traveler’s home coming.
[Illustration: He reply, “Man came home.”]
“‘Away long time has gentlemen been?’ In interrogate.
“He answer, ‘Been long time since he came home before.’
“Then I approach said gates of welcoming and enter one saying grand
stand, giving printed pasteboard to much red-faced man at door.
“He destroy said printing and present to me one-half; the other he
keep. On honorable pasteboard is printed ‘rain check’ and I presently
comprehend thus the stopping rain in great United States when
baseballing is to happen.
“I proceed along walkboard continuous until emerging into great
pavilion where persons numerous are all sitting in seats many, but I
see not the fans law guardian promised, though it is day warm very.
Presently spectators make grand stand shouting the Big Banzai as
honorables in white suits run very hard.
“‘What is it?’ I remark to enormous German intelligence on left.
“‘Another man home,’ he correspond.
“I am much enthusiasm also. It is more august noise than Russian
surrendering.
“Presently, Mr. Gray Pitch lift strong arm holding white ball of much
hardness high. Another Gray Mr., the Hon. Catch, has responsibility for
all balls Mr. Pitch shoot and he try to stop all. The ball shoots with
swiftness great so Mr. Catch wear large cushions on hands, also bird
cage on face, with boards in front of legs. Third Mr. what they call
Bat is positioned in front Mr. Catch to make impossible said stopping
by hitting ball.
“Of a suddenness Mr. Gray Pitch preparation himself for enjoyable
spasm. Ball holding high, he make large twistings, himself turn half
way, leg raises and quickly shoots little ball straight at Mr. Catch’s
head. Hon. Bat makes large effort vainly.
“‘Strike one,’ gleefully announces Hon. Empire in loud voice.
“Again Mr. Pitch make necessary, twists preparation to his shoot. Mr.
Bat fail making attempt but Hon. Empire cries agonizing, ‘Struck two,’
at which thin Irish spectacles on right speaking violently remark,
‘Robber! Thief! Kill the Empire!’
“I look expectant to witness demise of Hon. Empire, but it happens not
immediate. Much disappoint I feel, having extreme good sitting for
witness such scenes. Then, think perhaps it later will occurrence when
dark.
“Once more Mr. Gray Pitch causing ball shoot fast. But Mr. Bat watching
very close. He make great smash with large stick against middle of
small ball and at once change name to Mr. Run, making great haste
leaving home for first white cushion. Then turn, with much glee, from
all standers up, on left side and hasten quick after direction ball
went toward number two cushion. Mr. Gray Field now pick up ball quick
and throw at Mr. Run.
“All grand standers now project loud shoutings of ‘Make slidings, Mr.
Run. Make big slidings, Oh run,’ and answeringly Hon. Run sliding on
his stomach to No. Two cushion, but Hon. Empire wave his hand and say
quickly, ‘Out’ and Hon. Run then walk with much slowness and mutterings
of words to waterpail and drink.
“Presently when Hon. White Suits are much weary from hittings and
slidings they exchanging places with Hon. Gray Suits and Gray Suits
play Mr. Bat.
“The Mr. White Pitch try to make great original twistings and shoots.
Mr. Gray Bat finds hitting impossible and Hon. Empire says, ‘Struck
three, out.’ But now the Hon. Irish on right do not cry ‘Robber! Kill
him!’ Himself and all others surrounding make more standings and cheer
Mr. White Pitch magnitudinous and say, ‘Oh, you pitch!’
“After more twistings by White Pitch, Mr. Next Bat walk leisure to one
cushion. Mr. Third Bat likewise.
“Suddenly boy diminutive with large voice in front say, ‘Get the hook’
and then Mr. White Pitch drop was white ball and retire and I wait for
him return with hook, but I am distracted otherwise, seeing bigger
White Pitch proceed and pick up ball. Then still more different twists
by Mr. Bigger White Pitch and swift shoots. Supreme big effort by Mr.
Gray Bat and loud crack.
“‘Fowl,’ say Empire and three runnings of white suits. I arise to look
at white suits chasing fowl, but impossible to see account front rows
standing on seats. Next yellings, ‘He’s got it,’ and sitting down of
all, and I see Mr. Big Pitch holding ball upraised, but no chicken. I
think they catching fowl outside for big dinner to homecomers.
“Now Mr. Second Bat run quickly to three cushion and Mr. Now Bat propel
ball with stick very far; but Mr. White Field catch quick and throw to
Hon. Catch while Mr. Three Cushion occupant running home.
“‘Safe,’ say Hon. Empire at which all bystanders yell angrily, ‘Robber!
Thief! Hang him!’ I climb nearby post to witness national mode of death
and see all white suits surrounding Hon. Empire, but no rope.
“Presently all walk away and again I am disappoint, having much finer
location for view such interesting proceedings.
“Then more of same twistings and runnings by both white suits and gray
suits exchanging places until dark, when grand standings make big
runnings to outside.
“I wait much patiently to see Hon. Empire get hangings now but
presently Mr. August Watch come by and say, ‘G’wan, game’s over,’ with
many pointings to outside and I consider possible I find Hon. Empire
and all white suits over fence making big killings, so I exit myself
through glee gates backward where I find only majestic stillness.
“So I return to domicile.”
THE END
WON IN THE NINTH
A BASEBALL STORY
By CHRISTOPHER MATHEWSON
The Famous Pitcher of the New York Giants. The first of a series of
Boys’ Stories on Sports to be known as the MATTY BOOKS, by Christopher
Mathewson and W. W. Aulick, the well-known sporting writer, who will
also act as editor of the series.
It is a college story about baseball. The hero is a fine young fellow
whom many fans will at once think they recognize as a popular player.
He enters a big Eastern University from the far West, gets on the
Varsity after many trying experiences, as extra pitcher, but by
accident one day it develops his natural position is as fielder and he
becomes a star and wins a scholarship, which insures his education.
Throughout the story the author describes thrilling moments of actual
games, some wonderful catches, and gives many stories, some of them
humorous, of famous players and games.
He also reveals some of the secrets of “inside baseball,” “signals,”
etc., and in a supplement, illustrations and descriptions of the way he
holds and delivers his famous Fade-away and other deceptive curves.
The description and playing characteristics of many of the hero’s
team-mates remind one of famous players of the present day. The
author has placed in one college boys who from their ball-playing
ability might easily be taken to represent his selection of a first
ALL-AMERICAN TEAM and in a rival college the boys whom he might pick
for ALL-AMERICAN TEAM No. 2. The games played might also be taken
to represent his idea of what would occur in a series between two
such teams. Mathewson’s position in the game and his knowledge of
the players fit him especially for this, and the book should be read
eagerly by players and fans.
PRESS COMMENTS
The greatest baseball story ever written.--_New York World._
A mighty good story of college life runs through the
book.--_Pittsburg Dispatch._
Every fan should read it.--_Denver Post._
A book which every boy from eight to eighty should
read.--_Boston Globe._
_302 Pages, 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price, Net, $1.00_
R. J. BODMER COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
437 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK
Sales Agents: NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
147 Fourth Avenue, New York
TO THE READER
The next in the series of MATTY BOOKS will be a Football Story by the
same author. Matty was, during his college days, as great a football
player as he is a pitcher to-day.
If you will fill out this blank and mail to us, we will give you
advance notice of the date of publication of the football story.
R. J. BODMER COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
437 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK
Name__________________________
Street Number_______________
City______________________
THE FADE-AWAY
AND
OTHER DECEPTIVE CURVES
AS HELD AND DELIVERED BY
CHRISTY MATHEWSON
ILLUSTRATIONS BY COURTESY OF
AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING CO.
FROM “HOW TO PLAY BASEBALL”
[Illustration: Mathewson’s Fade Away Ball--The ball is held lightly
with the forefingers and thumb, and a slow twist is given to it. It
sails up to the plate as dead as a brick, and, when mixed in with a
speedy straight or in-ball, causes the batter to often strike at it
before it reaches him. It is a “teaser” for the third strike.]
[Illustration: HOW BALL IS GRASPED FOR START OF THE “FADE AWAY.”]
[Illustration: THE BALL LEAVING THE HAND AS IT GETS THE FINAL TWIST OF
THE WRIST FOR THE “FADE AWAY.”]
[Illustration: Mathewson’s Drop-curve--His most effective ball, and
he has wonderful control of it. In fact, he makes it “talk.” The two
forefingers and the thumb give the rotary motion necessary for the
curve, while a downward swing and quick snap of the wrist give it the
quick dropping kink.]
[Illustration: Mathewson’s High In-ball--This is a most wicked
delivery--the whisker trimmer. The thumb touches the ball very lightly
and the forefingers grasp it firmly. This delivery is used mostly to
drive the batter away from the plate so as to make the curve more
effective. It is a dangerous ball to stand up against.]
[Illustration: The Straight, Swift Ball--Mathewson gets tremendous
speed with this delivery, said to excel that of the famous “Hoosier
Cyclone,” Amos Rusie, when in his prime. The arm is swung straight over
the shoulder, with no wrist movement.]
[Illustration: The out-curve is produced usually by grasping the ball
with the first two fingers and the thumb, with the back of the hand
turned downward. The fingers are pressed firmly against the ball, which
is gripped tight. The out-curve may be either fast or slow.]
[Illustration: The in-curve is pitched with a side-arm motion, the ball
being released over the tips of the first two fingers, the arm being
swept around with a lateral motion. Some pitchers throw an in-curve by
grasping the ball with all four fingers and permitting it to slip over
the tips.]
[Illustration: McGINNITY THROWING AN INSHOOT, THE BALL ROLLING OFF HIS
FIRST TWO FINGERS.]
[Illustration: HOW McGINNITY TURNS HIS HAND TO PITCH A DROP BALL.]
[Illustration: POSITION OF THE BALL FOR AN OUT-CURVE AS McGINNITY
PITCHES IT, THE BALL BEING RELEASED BETWEEN THE THUMB AND FIRST
FINGER.]
[Illustration: HAND JUST BEFORE THE “SPIT BALL” IS FREED, THE BALL
SLIPPING OVER THE ENDS OF THE FINGERS OF CHESBRO.]
[Illustration: ARM FULLY DRAWN BACK TO PITCH THE “SPIT BALL,” SHOWING
THE POSITION BEFORE IT IS BROUGHT FORWARD, BY CHESBRO.]
[Illustration: Drop-curve--The ball for the drop-curve is held in
identically the same position as for the out-curve, except that the
back of the hand is held directly down, the arm being brought straight
over the shoulder at the moment of delivering the ball.]
Transcriber’s Notes:
--Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_).
--A Table of Contents (all versions) and a List of Illustrations
(browser and mobile versions) have been provided for the navigational
convenience of the reader.
--Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected.
--Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.
--Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.
End of Project Gutenberg's Won in the Ninth, by Christopher Mathewson