| In building a team, the pioneers of modern | | | | should be such a sure fielder that he will rarely |
| baseball discovered patterns which are essential to | | | | fumble the ball. |
| success on the field. John McGraw always wanted | | | | It is desirable to have a second baseman with |
| strength down the middle when he managed | | | | strong forearms and wrists which permit him to |
| championship teams for the New York Giants. He | | | | make quick snap throws. He must be able to get |
| wanted topnotch defensive players in center field, | | | | rid of the ball in a hurry without throwing with a |
| at shortstop and second base, and behind the bat. | | | | big sweeping motion of the arm. The second |
| In checking the strength of the Chicago White | | | | baseman also has a wide territory to cover and |
| Sox, 1959 American League champions, you will | | | | should have good running speed, agility, and good |
| find it in those positions - Landis in center field, | | | | hands. |
| Fox at second base, Aparicio at shortstop, and | | | | Particularly in Little League and other junior |
| Lollar doing the catching. | | | | baseball it is helpful to have a tall first baseman |
| In the top teams of recent years you will find the | | | | because beginners often make throws which |
| same pattern. As examples, take the Dodgers | | | | aren't true to the mark. Of course, it is essential |
| with Snider in center field, Reese at shortstop, | | | | that he have flexible hands which do not fumble |
| Robinson at second base, and Campanella behind | | | | balls thrown to him. Agility also is desirable since a |
| the bat; and the Yankees with Dickey catching, | | | | good first baseman should be able to leap for high |
| Rizzuto and Gordon as the second-base | | | | throws, dig low throws out of the dirt, and leave |
| combination, and DiMaggio in center field. | | | | the base to spear wide throws. |
| Connie Mack concluded that pitching provided 70 | | | | A strong arm is important to a third baseman. |
| per cent of the strength of a club and proved it | | | | Balls are hit so hard in his direction that he can |
| by winning pennants for the Athletics with such | | | | frequently knock them down with his glove and |
| stellar mounds men as Bob Grove, George | | | | still throw out the runner. In fact, some players |
| Earnshaw, Ed Rommel, Chief Bender, Eddie Plank, | | | | have gained a reputation for blocking the ball with |
| and Jack Coombs. | | | | their bodies, retrieving it and retiring the runner. |
| Add to this Branch Rickey's conclusion that it | | | | Observers would comment about Pepper Martin, |
| takes five championship players plus pitching to | | | | the St. Louis Cardinals' star: "He'll be a great third |
| win a pennant under normal circumstances and | | | | baseman as long as his chest holds out." |
| you have a formula for building a team. By | | | | The catcher should be rugged but still have good |
| championship players, Mr. Rickey means players | | | | enough mobility to field bunts and foul flies and to |
| who can run, throw, field, hit with power, and | | | | back up the bases. He should be able to throw |
| have a desire to play the game to the best of | | | | quickly and with power and have leadership |
| their ability. | | | | qualifications since he directs the play on the field. |
| INFIELDERS AND OUTFIELDERS. Starting from | | | | In the outfield, the player with the best range |
| scratch as manager, coach, or captain of a squad | | | | should be assigned to center field. He directs |
| of players, who do you want to be your | | | | traffic in the outfield and in most instances has |
| shortstop? You want the player with the | | | | the right-of-way to catch every ball he can reach. |
| strongest arm if he has the other attributes | | | | He should have a strong and accurate arm. |
| required of an infielder. He should have good | | | | If you have the privilege of working with players |
| running speed and agility and quick hands. Since | | | | of above average ability in these areas, you won't |
| the shortstop gets more fielding chances than any | | | | have many problems. |
| other player, he should have "glue in his glove"; he | | | | |