THE PITCHING OF 1894.
The pitching of 1894 in the National League arena was in advance of that of 1893, but it has yet to reach the point of perfect work in the box. Somehow or other, managers of teams cannot get it out of their heads that great speed is the principal factor of success in pitching, when the fact is that speed is but an aid to success, secondary in value to that of strategic skill in delivering the ball to the bat.
The experience of the past season in connection with the limit of speed in pitching presents some valuable suggestions which team managers will do well to bear in mind this year. Some years ago, the swift pitching—which had then about reached the highest point of speed—proved to be so costly in its wear and fear upon the catchers that clubs had to engage a corps of reserve catchers, in order to go through a season's campaign with any degree of success. Afterward, however, the introduction of the protective "mitts" led to some relief being afforded the catchers who had been called upon to face the swift pitching of the "cyclone" pitchers of the period. The seasons of 1893 and 1894 were marked by some exhibitions of swift pitching unequaled in the annals of the game, and yet it was not effective in placing the team which held the cyclone pitchers in the lead. If the speed of the ball is too great for catchers to handle, even with the protection the breast pads, masks and the padded gloves of the period afford, why then it is worse than useless. It was skilful, strategic pitching which helped to win the pennant in 1894, and not "cyclone" pitching. Speed is all very well as an important accessory, but without the best of catching to support it, and thorough command of the ball to give it full effect, it is more costly than otherwise.
The Pitching Percentages for 1894.