Clipping:The catcher rubber band snap trick

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Date	Sunday, September 16, 1888
Text	[from an article about catcher’s gloves] When Michael J. Kelly, now of Boston, was playing with the Chicagos he wore a glove with heavy tips on the finger ends. Passing around the body of the glove was a heavy rubber band. Every one who has seen Kelly catch knows that, unlike most catcher, does not wait for the ball with his hands resting on his knees, but holds them close together as though to coach the pitcher at what spot to place the ball. By long practice Kelly had acquired the knack of snapping the rubber band just as the batter struck the ball. Now, in case he failed to hit it, the umpire in the excitement of the moment would naturally think the slight noise made by the band was caused by a “foul tip” (which Kelly would claim, of course,) and which would cause the batter, much to his disgust, to be called out. This scheme worked successfully until Umpire Conley caught him and stopped the trick. Kelly now wears an ordinary felt-lined glove and has given up most of his tricky Chicago tactics. St.
Source	St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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Submitted by	Richard Hershberger
Origin	Initial Hershberger Clippings

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