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SelzShoes · 12-01-2006, 07:31 PM

"Ok Bill, I'm going start mixing in some curves." Nicholson nodded from the batter's box at empty Shibe Park.

Pitching coach Roy Johnson went into his motion and let loose a ¾ speed curve-big and fat out over the plate. The kind of pitch a slumping player lays awake at night hoping for. Bill took a hefty swing and missed the pitch. Not late. Not early. Missed, nowhere near the ball. A soft "damm" from manager Charlie Grimm could be heard echoing through the park.

The two-time National League Home Run Champ swing had looked pitiful since reporting to spring training. Bill's performance in batting practice in Florida was so pitiful Grimm had kept him benched the whole exhibition slate. Never entering a game until almost a month into the season. Grimm wanted to believe Nicholson would come around and supply much needed power; the swing just was not there.

Jolly Cholly tilted towards Cubs' hitting coach Milt Stock, "He was just peppering the ball; now its like he can't see the dammed thing."

Stock spit on the ground. "Timings there just doesn't have the eye for breaking pitches yet." For his part, Stock was not as obsessive over the sluggers' struggles as the manager and newspapermen. Unlike so many others during the war, Swish had only a handful of games played against quality pitching. Yes there were some bad habits developed against the sub par arms of semi-pros and aspiring softballers, but a pro of Nicholson's stature-in Stock's mind-would eventually come around.

Bill Nicholson stepped out of the batter's box and rubbed his eyes. "Too much morning sun," he alilbied. Grimm and Stock nodded.

Stepping back into the box, Nicholson let a couple pitches go by. "Just waiting for my pitch," he yelled to Grimm and Stock. Slowly Bill started making contact-not solid contact, but contact nevertheless.

"Told you he's coming around," Stock said to Charlie.

Jolly Cholly reluctantly agreed, "Still couldn't hurt for him to take extra BP. He's getting better; we need the pop in the line up."

The group started to break apart for the morning. "Starting to look good Bill," Stock said patting the slugger on the back. "You'll be back in a groove in no time-the swing is coming back."

Bill walked behind the coaches shaking his head. His problem was not the swing.

12-01-2006, 07:31 PM	#152
SelzShoes High School Varsity Join Date: Apr 2005	May 1, 1946: Swish "Ok Bill, I'm going start mixing in some curves." Nicholson nodded from the batter's box at empty Shibe Park. Pitching coach Roy Johnson went into his motion and let loose a ¾ speed curve-big and fat out over the plate. The kind of pitch a slumping player lays awake at night hoping for. Bill took a hefty swing and missed the pitch. Not late. Not early. Missed, nowhere near the ball. A soft "damm" from manager Charlie Grimm could be heard echoing through the park. The two-time National League Home Run Champ swing had looked pitiful since reporting to spring training. Bill's performance in batting practice in Florida was so pitiful Grimm had kept him benched the whole exhibition slate. Never entering a game until almost a month into the season. Grimm wanted to believe Nicholson would come around and supply much needed power; the swing just was not there. Jolly Cholly tilted towards Cubs' hitting coach Milt Stock, "He was just peppering the ball; now its like he can't see the dammed thing." Stock spit on the ground. "Timings there just doesn't have the eye for breaking pitches yet." For his part, Stock was not as obsessive over the sluggers' struggles as the manager and newspapermen. Unlike so many others during the war, Swish had only a handful of games played against quality pitching. Yes there were some bad habits developed against the sub par arms of semi-pros and aspiring softballers, but a pro of Nicholson's stature-in Stock's mind-would eventually come around. Bill Nicholson stepped out of the batter's box and rubbed his eyes. "Too much morning sun," he alilbied. Grimm and Stock nodded. Stepping back into the box, Nicholson let a couple pitches go by. "Just waiting for my pitch," he yelled to Grimm and Stock. Slowly Bill started making contact-not solid contact, but contact nevertheless. "Told you he's coming around," Stock said to Charlie. Jolly Cholly reluctantly agreed, "Still couldn't hurt for him to take extra BP. He's getting better; we need the pop in the line up." The group started to break apart for the morning. "Starting to look good Bill," Stock said patting the slugger on the back. "You'll be back in a groove in no time-the swing is coming back." Bill walked behind the coaches shaking his head. His problem was not the swing.