"Youngsters who are trying to improve their play have asked the Yankees many questions about pitching, batting and fielding. Here are some of the leading questions asked by tomorrow's potential major leaguers and the answers of veteran Yankees."
-The New York Yankees Official 1969 Yearbook
What does it take to be a major leaguer?
RALPH HOUK: "Ability, of course, but there have been a lot of players who have made themselves great players by working at it. They're the ones who listen to their coaches and managers. A manager looks for a player who studies the game - he's usually a good scholar in school - who is competitive and works hard. No one can become a professional ball player unless he really wants to, and that means hard work."
Can I learn to hit by copying the style of a good hitter?
RALPH HOUK: "No, because every boy has his natural way of hitting and trying to copy the stance of a particular player might not come naturally. Take the stance that comes naturally, learn to swing the bat level, use a bat you can handle, and listen to your coaches."
Should I use a light or heavy bat?
MICKEY MANTLE: "When I first started, the trend was toward the heavy bat. Today you should use the lighter bat because the pitching has changed so much. If you use the lighter bat and you stride and you're fooled, you can whip it faster than a heavy bat."
I hate to wear a batting helmet. Do I have to?
MICKEY MANTLE: "When helmets first came in, I didn't want to use them because I was a switch hitter and figured I had plenty of time to get out of the way. But I've seen four or five players hit in the head. They might not be around today if it weren't for those helmets."
Why do pitchers spend so much time building up their legs?
MEL STOTTLEMYRE: "Control is the name of the game and control comes from your body. Your legs play a very important part in the control of the pitch. You need strong legs to get a lot on the ball."
How can I learn control?
MEL STOTTLEMYRE: "Practice throwing to a target. The more you do this, the better your control. But be careful not to throw too long and hurt your arm."
What's the best way for a catcher to go after a pop-up?
ELSTON HOWARD: "Make certain the ball is right above your head when you're under it. Never take a complete turn when you go after a pop fly. You'll lose all sense of direction and nine times out of ten the ball will fall five or six feet away."
What's the best way to go after a bunt?
ELSTON HOWARD: "Never try to grab it with your bare hand; you'll probably fumble it. Scoop it up with the glove."
How can you be sure who's supposed to take a fly in the outfield?
JOE PEPITONE: "I think the center fielder should be the captain of the outfield. He should make all the calls."
What about a pop-up between an infielder and an outfielder?
JOE PEPITONE: "The outfielder should make the call because he's coming in on the ball. He should call off the infielder."
How do you play a ball that gets in the sun?
TOM TRESH: "Stay off to the side of the ball a little and use your glove as a shade as long as you can."
How about a ball that's hit to the wall?
TOM TRESH: "Get back to the fence as fast as possible. Know where that fence is. Otherwise, the ball may reach the fence the same time as you do and you're liable to hit the fence, miss the ball and injure yourself."
Why is it important to catch the ball with two hands?
TOM TRESH: "You have your throwing hand right near the ball, so you can get hold of it quicker and get rid of it quicker."
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