WHEN YOUR EYE IS OFF THE PITCHER

THE PITCHER'S ARM SWINGS AROUND SMOOTHLY, IN COMES THE PITCH...AND THERE YOU GO AGAIN, WATCHING THE FLASH OF THE BAT AND THE STRIKEOUT OR GROUND BALL OR FLY TO THE OUTFIELD THAT FOLLOWS. BUT STAY WITH THE PITCHER AN EXTRA MOMENT FOR A DIFFERENT VIEW OF BASEBALL. YOU DISCOVER QUICKLY THAT PITCHING DEMANDS EXTRAORDINARY EXERTION, A VIOLENCE THAT REACHES ITS CLIMAX AFTER THE BALL IS THROWN. THE REMARKABLE PHOTOGRAPHS ON THESE PAGES SHOW THREE OF THE TOP PITCHERS IN THE MAJORS AT THIS INSTANT OF TOTAL COMMITMENT. SMOOTH? NOT VERY. BUT THE THREE WON 56 GAMES LAST SEASON. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THEM.

FALLING, PHILADELPHIA'S JIM BUNNING STILL FOLLOWS THE FLIGHT OF THE PITCH.

EXTRAVAGANT FOLLOW-THROUGH, SEEN HERE IN LAST FALL'S WORLD SERIES AGAINST YANKEES, SENDS CARDINALS' BOB GIBSON SPINNING OFF MOUND IN A PIROUETTE OF PITCHING VIOLENCE.

YANKS' JIM BOUTON BENDS HALFWAY TO THE GROUND WHEN HE THROWS. HIS FLYING CAP, LOST ON NEARLY EVERY PITCH, HAS BECOME BOUTON'S TRADEMARK.

FIVE PHOTOS