Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-11-06
IN The FIELD OF SPORTS
OF BASEBALL
AS A PROFESSION.

for a Buffalo paper. has the following
to say:
THE profession of baseball is
about the only one left hal is not
o~vercrowded, and in which there are
untold opportunities of gaining
wealth and distinction, owing to the
scarcity of high-class material. The
roster of the Hall of Fame contains
the names of more baseball players
than of any other class of men Base
ball players enjoy more prestige,
more laudation and have a greater
following than statesmen, famous
poets and preachers.
1.-THE struggle for supremacy has
become so ! Z nsely fierce hat first
class PLAYERS IAN command their own
terms, Ducats cut no figure with
astute club officials who are wise to
the fact that a winning team is a
veritable gold mine, while a weak
one is a money loser. The Cleveland
club rendered a contract to hat great
sphere swatter, Nap. Lajoie, calling
for $25, 900 for three years service.
His additional duties of manager
must net him a tidy sum besides.
Jimmie Colline, of the Boston Amer
lean League, club; Clark Griffith. of
the New York Americans, and Fred
Clarke. of the Pittsburg National
League team, command nearly as
much. Not many years ago the st.
Louis club pait Pat Donovan a salary
of $4,000 per year. Chesbro, the star
spitball artist, receives the princely
stipend of $4,000 or nearly $500 a
game. Christy Matthewson, Iron
Man" McGinity, Cy Young, Rube
Waddell, and others of like calibre,
are not far behind Happy Jack" in
earning capacity. When it is consid-
cred that baseball tossers work only
half the year the salaries are enor-
nous.
Baseball, then, is seemingly the
best paying profession to follow for
those possessing aptness, talent and
natural ability in that direction.
There is an abundance of oom at the
top for those who are able to deliver
the goods.
Let the press of any city mention
the good work of a minor league
player, and 10! and behold! some
agent will turn up forthwith for the
purpose of getting a line on him.
Often times there are several clubs
bidding for the same player. The
demand largely exceeds the supply,
hence the incessant rush for talent.
Owing to the bidding propensities of
the major league officials, the minor
league club owners have become foxy.
If they possess a player whose flesh
Is worth bartering-for they will
never agree TO sell to the first bidder,
preferring to hold off until it is as
c~ertained as to the number of others
on the same mission, when often a
higher price can be obtained. In this
manner many of the small fry recour
the losses sufferedtthrough poor sup
port.
Baseball is an excellent profession
for those who walk in a straight
path. In order to attain success,
good habits are essential, A lushing
ball player never amounts to much,
or lasts long. That class are grad
ually being welded out of the game.
The rising player should give his
whole heart and attention to the
work before him. He should resolve
to put forth his very best efforts at
all times, and be ready to heed the
teaching and advice of those who,
through years of experience, possess
superior knowledge of the fine points
connected with the national pastime.
THE ambitious player should re-
solve to carefully avoid everything
pertaining to mechanical work. He
should play the game with energy
and spirit. Patrons of the sport de-
light in snappy play. They love to
watch nimble players do diamond
stunts. To prevent dizziness, baseball
contests require a seasoning of dash
and vim, which puts snap into them
and holds the close attention of the
onlookers. Mechanical play robs the
sport of much of it's interest. A play
er who is up on his toes all of the
time is bound to gain the good will
of baseball rooters, and, If possessing
merit, to advance to the top of his
chosen profession.
"In order to attain a measure of
high success, baseball players can
not be night owls. Early to bed is
a capital motto to follow. Often
times it will be said of a player that
he has lost his batting eye.' Ten
chances to one 1t was put out by look
ing into the capacious depths of
schooners, or too strict adherence to
that unwise and ~extravagant folly,
wine, woman and song All of these
hindrances to mans advancement
should be cut out if the top of the
ladder is to be gained, and in every
thing else moderation should be the
rule.
The young man should cultivate
the habit of thinking quickly. If the
sphere is batted to his territory he
should instantly know what to do
with it. He should study the strong
and weak points of the opposing bats
men so that he will know right where
to play for them. A good memory
for this phase of the game is of I'M
told value to a youngster after break
ing into faster company.
IF the young players will pay
strict attention to the points outlined
above, there will be fewer failures
in the days to come"
NEXN RRITNGvNVTyK LNnATD