The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-02
LETTERS FROM AN OLD SPORT TO HIS son At COIIFGF

would be robbed OF much Of its finesse
and eclat. There is nothing which sig
nifies a distinguished presence so much
as a whIsby-trimmed voice yelling
''mutt-head."
Don't tell the umpire that you We for
gotten more about the game than ne
ever knew, because the crowd might
wonder why you didn't remember more
ana forget less.
Don't forget TO tell the umpire to trim
his lamps every time he calls a strike on
you. II you do he'll notice your neglect
and give you a dirty deal just 10 get
hunk This telling the umpire TO trim
his lamps is an important part of the
game, as II puts the crowd wise that il
wasn't your fault you struck out
Don't try 10 knock the cover or the
ball every time you pick Up your war
club. The pitcher may be a grouchy guy
and not throw the ball when Won are
striking. II you want TO practice club
swinging do IT In the gym before YOU
come out on the field.
Don't yell get a big Lead or twenty
minutes late" more than 1883 times IN
each inning when you are On the coach
er's line. The limit used TO be 2OOC
times. but all the experts now agree on
1899.
Don't try to look pretty when you
skate into bag on your wishbone. The
crowd, no doubt, came out purposely Il
admire your graceful moves. but the
guy with the little score book Is only
chalking up results.
Don't fail 10 remind the pitcher that he
couldn't find the place with a double
barreled shot gun. Pitchers have so
many things to think about that they axe
apt to forget these little details unless
reminded by a thoughtful coacher-
Don't try 10 catch a ball in a fellow
players territory just because II looks
easy. II you plug up the holes In youI
own field you won't need 70 steal glory
from your Heighbors.
Don't make the second dab az a base
runner II you miss him on the first
swing. A good stiff bluT has a falteriug
conscience skinned forty ways for re-
suits with the umpire.
Don't go 70 bat nursing the idea that
you have TO hit the ball The proper
dope 10 tug TO the plate with you is
that you won't hit Il unless you have
to. Don't be afraid 70 take a few, even
II you're sure they're coming over the
pan II gives you q beuer chance TO
size up the pitchers delivery. and II
only takes one punch in the right place
to do the business
Don't think because they're coming
over the pan as big as a druggists
profit that you can drive II over the
palings. There ar three fly chasers
on the opposing team who get per-
active sometimes. and a good
waiter IS better than a hard luck" hit
ter any day.
Store these "don'ts" in your coming
tower, son, and before many moons
they'll wake up 70 the fact that while
you're not breaking many palings in
the outheld fence, you're right UP in
the delivery wagon pushing on the
relns.
You say some guy tackled you about
putting your fist 10 a contract IN the
Tri-State. but that you are holding
back for more dough Now, I want
you TO be there with the business knot.
but it's good business right now for
you 70 grab at any old chance 10 show
hat you're he goods. The trouble
With most ball players Is that they get
top heavy and think they ought TO get
green trading stamps with their con-
ract as soon as the sporting editors /
SUCK IN a lew pluggers about them /