Catch as cat can

Sir,

Catching up on my periodical reading, I’ve just finished reading Matthew Franey’s December 1998 feature ‘A League of their own’. Peter Warr’s and Trevor Taylor’s anecdotes about Jim Clark’s cat-like co-ordination reminded me of a piece of folklore which is still recounted at Watkins Glen. Clark had ordered a beer at the crowded Seneca Lodge bar. The bartender handed him the beer and Clark turned away from the bar, not realising that the bartender had a handful of change for him. The bartender released the three or four coins over the edge of the bar. Clark’s peripheral vision registered the start of the coins’ descent to the floor. With his free hand Clark managed to snag the coins in mid-air. Not one of them reached the floor. Awestruck witnesses say Clark allowed himself only a slight momentary grin. Definitely a different breed of cat.

I am, yours, etc. Craig Mormon, Berkely Heights, New Jersey