Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-07-29
BASE BALL TOPICS
CURRENT NEWS AND NOTES OF
THE GAME.
Tom LOTUS Tells . story That IL .
"Cerker'-Ths School for Umpire's
Idea-The WilmOt C1ss-Punishment
Said 70 Ne Too Light



Tom LOTUS adds the following story
TO the comedies OF the baseball pro-
feosion:
In the spring OF the year managed
the Cincinnati team some well-meaning
friend wrote TO me that he had discov
cred 4 veritable wonder OF a pitcher
IN young fellow who lived In an Ohio
village, and had never played profess
sionally. II SO happened that ] needed
new pitching material that year and
thought we'll enough OF the tip TO send
railroad ticket 10 the rural youth.
with instructions for him TO report i'm
mediately. The next day tall. long
armed boy materialIzed at the Cincin-
natl ball park. and told me that he was
my new pitching wonder. rather
liked his looks, although he was as
green as the emerald nesting in our
friend mannings scarfpin and ] told
him 10 take of his coat and give me a
sample OF his ball-playing ability. In
ten minutes that country boy con-
WINGED me that he had the speed of
Rusie. and rs pretty a break in his
curve as ever xladdened the heart OF a
manager. To be sure, he was as wild
as hawk. and nervous as debutante.
but l decided that he had the making
OF great pitcher. and determined 10
hold him. He practiced with the boys
for week and showed improvement
every day. Finally, Just before the
team started on its nrst eastern trip.
called the lad aside and told him that
was willing TO pay his board and keep
him supplied with pocket money, II he
would agree to remain in Cincinnati
and practice every day until the team
returned home.
Il don't care for any pocket money.
I answered the rustic, and I'll be glad
TO stay here. but. you see. It's this way
One or two OF my relatives be comm
down 10 Cincinnati for a few days rest
an want 10 know II you 'uns will pas
for their keep while they be here. II
you do I'll be glad TO stop here an
throw twissers TIL you come back.
As . matter OF course I agreed to the
boys proposition and started for this
East. convinced that my new pitcher
would cost nothing but his board bill
When we returned from that long triT
found the youngster out at the park
saw at a glance that he had beer
working hard during the absence o.
the team, and compllmented him or
his fine condition. Yes. he answered
you see. pa and ma and Sister JAM
and Rnbe Martins sister have beer
putin up at that tavern OF ours eve
since you 'uns have been away. an
they made me practice. Pa and mi
said As how 1t wasn't right for me t,
loaf when you was payin' the keep 70
my folks at the tavern. and Abe Mar
tins sister allowed as how she'd breal
Oh the engagement ~ l didn't get
steady Job with you 'uns. So yo'
Well. the folks went home yesterda,
expectin' to get a letter from m
tomorrow, a. l will tell 'cm that yo,
Intends TO le, me pitch In a real gam
before all the people To make q lon
story short. went over to the hote
and asked for the bill. I found tina,
, cost me exactly &l+s To keep my untrie
, twirler and his numerous relatives 4
board and lodgings. I would give 70
the names and dates were II not for tn
. fact that the country boy develops
into one Of the best pitchers In tn
business and In now a valued mem
Der OF . National League club"