Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-27
CAPT. HAsIDo.

- ---.-- subjects of the
 VAT. HASipO' mikado have mas tered the intricacies of our national sport, and play good game. The de- parture of the Waseda team for America marked the beginning of a new era in the athletics of Japan, says Fred Merri- field, ex-captain of the Chicago uni versity baseball team, who is at present coaching the Waseda nine. Hitherto the Japanese players have measured themselves with the pickup teams of the ports from the foreign warships, or at best by themselves. Of late years the local players have usually been easy victors over their American and Eng fish opponents, who have had little or no opportunity for practice. There seems to be nothing that these people cannot do if they set their minds to 1t. The Japanese students ordinarily wear white uniforms in their play, with blue socks or 'tabi' for footwear. No doubt such dress is much cooler in the hot weather, with no stockings or stiff shoes, but there is corresponding loss of speed and quickness of start which spikes would at once make possible. Nor does the player feel at all backward about exposing his shins and calves to the sun and crowd, for it is the custom in this stockingless land to leave brief space between the tabi and the loose robes. The native baseballs are triflc smaller than our own, and do not keep their shape and hardness as we'll The American balls, bats, etc, are not strangers, however, to these children of progress. All this apparatus may not be understood at once, but 1t is here and is used until it is mastered. Per- haps the breast protector will not hold air and is considered worthless. But when once that little screw at the side is understood no further questions are asked, and the rubber is always in good order. One day I was coaching a new pitcher on drops placing etc, and was acting as batter to help his eye. At suitable stage in the process turned to instruct the catcher on some point or other. The point was understood, and we were about to resume our positions, when zip! came the ball past my ear, and caught the unfortunate catcher square on the cheekbone Two more points are illustrated; the catcher scarcely moved . muscle and never . sound came from his lips; he quietly walked away to bathe his swollen face. That is bit of Japanese stoicism, for we all know how straight ball stings. Again, the pitcher had been working so hard to master that new finger move- ment and locate. his batter that he all but did the opposite to his fellow player. That is Japanese persistence and eager- ness, just bit of 1t. There is another good point in the Japanese style of play- ing. They may not be good hitters yet and may not know much about curves. but they listen to the umpire and know how to accept decisions without ques- tion, and the financial question has nothing to do with the matter, either. I have seen ball after ball skim the bat ter's eyes and Strike! from the umpire would not affect his temperament in the least. The pitcher might put several telling drops over the outer corner, and if the slow-eyed umpire said Ball! it re- mained without murmur, although ono acquainted with the situation knew of the disappointment suppressed because the game was in the balance, and these drops should have saved it. Give tho Japanese . little more training in the fine points of the game, and prophecy he will hit your curves, field, and slide with the zest, and make his share of the fun. And then, after lowing politely to the umpire. he will go home and teach his younger brother to do still bet ter at the great game of baseball" Has, ido is captain of the Wasedo team.
 The University of Michigan has re- gently developed the best freshman dis