It may be said, in connection with the pitching of 1894, that one thing noticeable in the "box" work of that season was that the brainy class of men in the position began to pay more attention to the advice of the theorists of the game than before; and thereby they learned to realize the fact that _strategic skill, and that equally important attribute, thorough control of temper_, together with the avoidance of the senseless _kicking habit_ in vogue, had more to do with success in their position than they had previously been aware. Those of the pitching fraternity who read up on the subject of skill in pitching, were told that the primary elements of strategic work in the "box" included: "First, to deceive the eye of the batsman in regard to the character of the delivery of the ball, as to its being fast or slow. Second, to deceive his judgment in reference to the direction of the ball when pitched to him, as to its being high or low, or where he wants it. Third, to watch the batsman closely so as to know just when he is temporarily 'out of form' for making a good hit; and Fourth, to tempt him with a ball which will be likely to go high from his bat to the outfield and be caught." Then again they were told that "another very effective point in strategic pitching, is a thoroughly disguised change of pace in delivery. This is difficult of attainment, and as a general rule it can only be played with effect on the careless class of batsmen. Let it be borne in mind that the pitcher who cannot control his temper is as unfit for his position as is a quick-tempered billiard player to excel as a winner in professional contests. Quick temper is the mortal foe of cool judgment, and it plays the mischief with that nervy condition so necessary in the development of skilful strategy. The pitcher must of necessity be subject to annoyances well calculated to try a man's temper, especially when his best efforts in pitching are rendered useless by the blunders of incompetent fielders, but under such trying circumstances his triumph is all the greater if he can pluck victory out of the fire of such opposition, _by the thorough control of his temper_." This is something only a minority of League pitchers did in 1894. SUMMARY RECORD. The leading pitcher of each of the twelve clubs against the six clubs of each section, in percentage of victories pitched in, by those who occupied the box in 10 games and over, is given in the following table: --------------------------------------------------------------------- BALTIMORE. AGAINST THE EASTERN CLUBS. AGAINST THE WESTERN CLUBS Percent. of Percent. of Pitchers. Victories. Pitchers. Victories --------------------------------------------------------------------- McMahon .706 McMahon .811 NEW YORK. Meelin .778 Rusie .889 BOSTON. Nichols .756 Stivetts .763