Clipping:Cummings's and Martin's delivery

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Date Saturday, April 27, 1872
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The feature in Cummings’ pitching, which makes it more difficult to punish than that of other swift, underhand throwers, is, that he imparts a dangerous curve to the live of the delivery of the ball to the bat, which is very deceptive in causing the batsman to misjudge the ball in striking at it. This curved line is only effectively, however, when marked by a very swift delivery, and unless the pace is properly supported behind the bat, all it advantageous effect is sacrificed in passed balls. This curved line delivery, however, unless marked by very great command of the ball, and assisted by sound judgement in strategic points of play, ceases to be damaging to an experienced and cool batsman, as such a man has only to watch the ball closely, and to avoid being tempted to hit at balls out of his legitimate reach to nullify its fatal effects. The error of those who face this curve-line delivery lies in their over-eagerness to hit at balls which seem to be coming just where they want them, but which are sent in by the curved line delivery either beyond the reach of the bat or too close to the striker’s body to be hit, in both cases being liable to be called balls. It is difficult to resist the temptation to hit, but it must be done if the batsman desires to prevent the telling effect of a curved line delivery. Martin bothers batsmen with curved line balls that drop short, Cummings with curved line balls that come in horizontally; that is the different of the effect. Both require active and sure catchers, and the swift pace in addition needs great pluck and endurance in the catcher. New York Clipper April 27, 1872

The Mutual-Baltimore game showed pretty conclusively that Cummings could be batted by mortal ball players. Fisher and Radcliff each made four first base hits against the boy pitcher. Evening City Item April 30, 1872

Source New York Clipper
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Submitted by Richard Hershberger
Origin Initial Hershberger Clippings

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