'Base Stealers' In U.S. Team

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31597, 7 February 1968, Page 11

'Base Stealers' In U.S. Team

"VEW Zealand softballers will have to be on their guard as the San Antonio All Stars (United States) team tours the Dominion this month. The two leading “base stealers’* in their league, R. Freire and H. Holcomb, are included in the team, while a third member, C. Hernandez, is described as a “noted base stealer” in pen pictures supplied to provincial associations. Freire, aged 25, has led the league in stolen bases for the last five years and averages 21 stolen bases a season, a record that would be better suited to Hernan-

dez, who, as a chain store manager, would possibly find a better outlet for such a haul. A high school football coach, Holcomb (34) was the runner-up in toe number of stolen bases last season for the third time. His fastest time over 100 yards is 9.Bsec. “Stealing a base” in softball requires above average speed, for the player has to sprint to the next base as soon as the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. He has to reach base before the catcher can throw too ball to the fielder;