The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-05-10
HINTS AND MAXIMS
A Lecture to Rising Young
Players.
HOW THEYCAN HELP THEMSELVES
Difficulties to Be Encountered and Mode of
Procedure that Will Produce
the Best Results.

Having watched the rise or young pIay-
ers to positions of trust for many years I
want 30 talk to the great number of young
men who have their eyes on these five, six
and seven thousand dollars and long for
chance at the pickings. shall call my re-
marks Hints to young players and max
inns for all"
Some men are born ball players, and 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 makeit 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 i'll your own town who has
seen you play and will say kind word for
you. Tell the manager that you want a
Start and salary is no object.
Some of these managers NAV send for
you. Ii one gives you a trial make it a
point to keep your own counsel. Make no
friends. Be pleasant to all the PLAYERS
When / say do not make any friends I
some particular player and making con-
fidant of him. Right here comes a time
when your whole career is affected. If
you have behaved and have 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 T
have no intention of passing over. 1t re-
fers TO the question of education. If the
candidate has received common school.
academic or college training he will need
no advice. 1t is 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 at books get some good
teacher who viii give you an easy task and
talk to you for an hour after supper. Getas
much into your head as you can. Above
all, learn to read, write and talk properly.
A little wisdom goes great way. 1t some
times leads to wish to know more. You
can do this In the country much easier than
N the city. Get your teacher to give You a
list OF good books in fiction and history.
particularly that Of your own country.
You VIII be surprised at the progress YOU
will make in few months.
In the course of time the young plaver.
II OF value, advances into the minor
leagues, and then his path is hard one.
unless he be a great catcher or pitcher.
But 1t doesn't reaIl ~ matter. If he wants
TO get along as fast as his good work will
let him he viii 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 great differ
ence between confidence and conceit. and
that. the players management and public
can tell either at sight.
Have confidence in yourself If YOU are
very nervous you'll drop by the wayside.
Avoid quarrels with your fellow PLAYERS
at any cost. There is 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.
If 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 un-
happy results. Remember baseball writer's
are human after all.
If you give an interview always praise
your mates. Never deride any or lead the |
reporter to do SO. Never lie to 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.