, 1891-04-19
HINTSANDMAXINS
A Lecture to Rising Young
Players.
HOW THEY CAN HELP THEMSELVES

VI AAotethEo ia WIN ohu Iho
Best Results for Those Who Get a start.
Suggestions That Are Good for All Ball
Players.
Having watched the rise of young play
ers to positions of trust for many years 1
want to talk to the great number OF young
men who have their eyes on these five, six
and seven thousand dollars and long for a
chance at the pickings. shall call my re
marks Hints to young players and max
inns for all"
Some men are born ball players, ami they
come to the front despite themselves, and
yet even they may find profit in my hints.
The young man who plays ball and has
made up his mind to make it his profession
has two things to attend to at once One is
to make application to various managers
in some state or minor league, the humber
the better. Do not praise yourself to the
manager. Refer him to some person of
Importance in your own town who has
seen you play and will say a kind word for
you. Tell the manager that you want a
start and salary is no object.
Some of these managers may send for
you. II one gives you a trial make it a
point to keep sour own counsel. Make no
friends. Be pleasant to all the players.
When l say do not make any friends |
mean it in the sense of cumming with
some particular player and making a CON
hdant of him. Right here comes a time
when your whole career is affected. If
you have behaved and nave been tried in
six or eight games, and there is no other
reason for letting you go, this humble
manager sends you home and says you
cannot play good enough ball for him,
take my advice and give up your project.
Return to your school, farm or business.
But if on the contrary You are retained,
play your best and you will attract notice
and admirers who will be of future value.
And now for that second thing which |
have no intention Of passing over. 1t re-
fers to the question of education. II the
candidate has received Il common school,
academic or college training he will need
10 advice. 1t il to the iiliterate young
men, and they are in the majority among
the rising young players, that / speak.
Many Of them can barely sign their names.
There are several star ball players today
who can neither read nor write. Your
future comfort and prosperity depend
largely upon your learning. Then decide
that you will not go among the tap rooms.
Get good. wholesome exercise and plenty
of sleep.
II you are slow Mt books get some good
teacher who will give you an easy task and
talk to you for an hour after supper. Get as
much into your head as you can. Above
all, learn to read. write and talk properly.
A little wisdom goes a great way. 1t some
times leads to "A wish to know more. You
can do this in the country much easier than
in the city. Get your teacher to give you a
list of good books in fiction and history,
particularly that OF your own country.
You Will be surprised at the progress you
will make in a few months.
In the curse of time the young player.
If of value, advances into the minor
leagues. and then his path is a hard one,
unless he be IA great catcher or pitcher.
But it doesn't really matter. II he wants
TO get along as fast as his good work will
let him he will find these maxims of great
value. SO will all players:
Keep away from the saloons.
Keep your own counsel. Don't tell your
fellow players you are going into the Asso-
citation or the League next season.
Be modest, If it is not natural as
sumo it.
Do not forget that there is a great differ
ence between confidence and conceit, and
that the players management and public
can tell either at sight.
Have confidence in yourself. II you are
very nervous you'll drop by the wayside.
Avoid quarrels with your fellow players
at any cost. There is a difference between
true courage and pugnacious rowdyism.
Do not make remarks about the other
players in the club house or elsewhere.
Do not accept a commission to write for
the papers during the season. 1t breeds
jealousy,
Meet newspaper men cordially and pleas
antly. Do not be afraid. They seldom
bite unless assaulted.
II you think you have a grievance ex-
plain it plainly without buster. In this
way you are very apt to get justice. Abuse
and bad words produce sometimes I'M
happy results. Remember baseball writers
are human after all.
II you give an interview always praise
your mates. Never deride any or lead the
reporter to do so. Never lie to a reporter.
He is sure to find it out. Say you have
nothing to say on the subject.
If you are getting your salary regularly
and spend most of your time in practice.
tending gate and bench warming, do not
make yourself and everybody about you
unhappy by your complaints and growl-
ing. Enjoy yourself and saw wood"
Any other course will not improve mat
tiers.
When in uniform and on the field do not
indulge in conversation during the game
with the grand stand occupants and
bleachers.
If you find your head growing keep the
fact TO yourself.
III your head grows and you do not no
tice it the crowds will before long. and
you will soon find you are losing your pop
ularity unless you happen to be a Duffy, a
Kelly, an Ewing or a Latham.
Play ball all the time; take every chance.
Never mind the records. There are those
looking at you who will see you do not
suffer in reputation.
When on the field do as you are ordered.
do it at the proper time and do not ask
why or attempt to argue.
The acme of team work that makes pen
nant winning possible can only be obtain
ed by absolute obedience to orders of the
captain. Do not fail him. Do your best.
Learn how to say NO" and to saw it so
the person addressed will know you
mean it.
DO not accept any courtesies other than
those offered to all the team. Theaters
are not harmful, but late suppers are.
If you find you are not a tippler and
drink at all, drink moderately.
If you visit 'Emporiums," Home
Plates" and other resorts of ball players
go home early and keep sober.
An observance of the maxims in a true
spirit should keep you Il player, If in health,
Tor fifteen years. Try them.
W. l. HARRIS.
at a private house will find many board