Pitchers would sometimes hop forward within the box before releasing the ball, and some would leap into the air during the process. Batters made fun of Whitney when he did this, giving him the nickname "Grasshopper Jim", but Whitney's pitching was effective for several years.
Pitchers occasionally skipped forward within the box before releasing the ball, and some would jump during the process. Batters made fun of Whitney when he did this, dubbing him "Grasshopper Jim", but Whitney's pitching was effective for several years.