The description and playing characteristics of many of the hero’s team-mates remind one of famous players of the present day. The author has placed in one college boys who from their ball-playing ability might easily be taken to represent his selection of a first ALL-AMERICAN TEAM and in a rival college the boys whom he might pick for ALL-AMERICAN TEAM No. 2. The games played might also be taken to represent his idea of what would occur in a series between two such teams. Mathewson’s position in the game and his knowledge of the players fit him especially for this, and the book should be read eagerly by players and fans. PRESS COMMENTS The greatest baseball story ever written.--_New York World._ A mighty good story of college life runs through the book.--_Pittsburg Dispatch._ Every fan should read it.--_Denver Post._ A book which every boy from eight to eighty should read.--_Boston Globe._ _302 Pages, 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price, Net, $1.00_ R. J. BODMER COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 437 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK Sales Agents: NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY 147 Fourth Avenue, New York TO THE READER The next in the series of MATTY BOOKS will be a Football Story by the same author. Matty was, during his college days, as great a football player as he is a pitcher to-day. If you will fill out this blank and mail to us, we will give you advance notice of the date of publication of the football story. R. J. BODMER COMPANY PUBLISHERS 437 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK Name__________________________ Street Number_______________ City______________________ THE FADE-AWAY AND OTHER DECEPTIVE CURVES AS HELD AND DELIVERED BY CHRISTY MATHEWSON ILLUSTRATIONS BY COURTESY OF AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING CO. FROM “HOW TO PLAY BASEBALL” [Illustration: Mathewson’s Fade Away Ball--The ball is held lightly with the forefingers and thumb, and a slow twist is given to it. It sails up to the plate as dead as a brick, and, when mixed in with a speedy straight or in-ball, causes the batter to often strike at it before it reaches him. It is a “teaser” for the third strike.] [Illustration: HOW BALL IS GRASPED FOR START OF THE “FADE AWAY.”] [Illustration: THE BALL LEAVING THE HAND AS IT GETS THE FINAL TWIST OF THE WRIST FOR THE “FADE AWAY.”] [Illustration: Mathewson’s Drop-curve--His most effective ball, and he has wonderful control of it. In fact, he makes it “talk.” The two forefingers and the thumb give the rotary motion necessary for the curve, while a downward swing and quick snap of the wrist give it the quick dropping kink.]