old the ball loosely in my hand, holding it with my
thumb and little finger. The ball will at times almost seem to hang in
the air, and the batter, who is looking for a singing swift one, makes a
vicious swipe before the ball gets to him. The change of pace is used
mostly when a batter has two strikes and is worked up to the anxious
pitch. Nothing pleases a pitcher more than to fool a batter with his
'slows.'

"To give an outcurve to the ball I take the same grip with the first two
fingers as for the straight ball. The thumb, however, with which the
twist which causes the ball to curve is given, is brought up in touch
with the ball with a tight grip. Then, with a long, slow preliminary
swing I give a slight side motion to my hand with a decided snap to the
wrist just at the instant the ball leaves my hand. I endeavor, of
course, to hide my right hand as much as possible from the batter, and
go through exactly the same motions as for a straight ball. I can get
just as much speed with my curve as my straight, which in consequence,
has proved my most successful ball.

"The drop ball is a most effective one if a pitcher can get control of
it. If the ball falls even a half inch from the expected line, the
batter is liable to strike over it. In pitching this ball I take a tight
hold with the thumb and two forefingers, with the third finger
underneath in touch with the sphere. Then with a very high swing and a
raise on my toes, I bring the arm down swiftly. The reverse twist is
given with the third finger. A great deal of practice is required to
acquire control of this puzzling ball, and at times speed is sacrificed
in its use."

APPENDIX. SOME NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.

With the retirement of Captain Anson baseball loses its most dignified
and courageous figure--a man who has striven through a number of years to
preserve the national game in all its best phases and a man who has
fought for decency and gentlemanly conduct on the field, and by whose
efforts the club of which he has been typical for a long time has come
to be known as one of the most dignified organizations on the National
League diamond. His retirement from the leadership of the Colts is
received with regret by the devotees of the national game, although
opinion is divided as to its advisability. It has long been believed by
certain patrons of the game that a change in the management and
captaincy of the team was advisable, and that a younger man might make