The Washington herald., 1907-10-27

ing about that waiter, and threatening to
get even with him when he came back
to New York on the next trip
Managers are compelled TO let eecen-
tT!c players have their way as much as
possible, otherwise they might harbor
grouches FOR days and weeks at time.
1 may say however, that managers are
not troubled so much ia this respect now
IS they were "a few years ago AL along
the line an element Of system has en-
tered as controlling factor in the game
and the players Of to-day look upon
baseball more as a strictly business
proposition than they used 70. IN the
old days the ball player was care-free.
unsystem8tic sort OF a fellow, little caring
OF knowing where the next season would
find him. This is all changed now. The
great players OF to-day look upon the
game as their life profession, and they
are careful to conduct themselves as
gentlemanly business men, both on and
off the playing field.
In the management Of the clubs, as
well as the players, an orderly, sys-
tematic arrangement Of business-like
methods prevail Each club IN tie big
league carries a secretary usually "a
man who knows the game and who Is
an executive Of rare ability he sec
retary looks after railroad and sleeping
car tickets He arranges for hotel ac-
cOmmOdatiOns and secures carriages in
which 10 carry the players 10 and from
the ball park. Also, he has general su-
peNrisiOn over the men who look after
the home grounds. All the ticket sellers
and collectors are under his supervision
Cnurassfoug ~ BopI-
"In all big BAH parks there are certain
concessions given 10 outsiders one man
wants to sell popcorn and another wants
to sell lemonade. All these must apply 10
the secretary. After each game the re-
ceipts must be counted and divided ac-
cOrding 10 the league agreements. Every
ticket must be accounted for, and as there
/ are thousands Of these tickets. all varying
In value. the club secretary has world
Of work on his hands 10 keep them sorted
and counted. The secretary Of the big
league baseball clubs must be a business
man from the ground up. and ne usually
is. OF he wouldn't be holding his job. l
/ consider The secretary Of nay club the
I equal Of any business man I ever met, and
/ would rather part with any Of my play
/ ers than see a rival manager hire him
away from me-
/ some clubs carry a financial secretary
+ IN addition 10 their regular business man
ageF. The business Of the cluns has grown
so complex that it could not be handled
without the application of the same prin-
ciples that are used in other commercial
/ pursuits. Aside from the actual players
each club is compelled 10 support a small
army OF workmen. such as carpenters
+ groundkeepers, ticket sellers, and cOllec-
/ tors, bOOhkeepeTs, and the like. The neces-
sity of keeping the team on the road half
the season makes the problem or handling
( these extra men al the more difficult, be-
cause there is nothing for some Of them
% do while the team is away.
when considering the magnitude Of the
/ baseball business the sporting goods man
ufaCturers-the toolmakers Of the pTofes-
sion-should not be forgotten. Since base
ball has been developed 70 its present di-
|mensions an annual expenditure Of some
100000 is paid out for basebails and
bats and other paraphernalia used in tht
game. Baseball, the business. supports al
Of those who are employed in the manu-
fracture of baseball goods, and If thest
were numbered and added 20 those whose
livelihood is more directly associated witt
The good old game. il would be found,
think that baseball ranks well up among
the industries Of the country. Baseball nl
longer Is a sport exclusively, it is just a.
much an industry as the manufacture an6
sale Of clothing or iron or furniture.
Good as Any business.
"As to whether il is "a paying business
/ there is a conflict Of opinion. Personally
! believe that baseball wiz pay Just il
proportion as it is put on business ba.
sis A baseball club if managed IN The
old. haphazard way Of the old days. with
out regard TO the changing aspects Of tn.
times. will not declare a dividend az tbs
end of the season. \ man who can wiz
in any business is apt 10 win at baseball
If he can turn out a pennant-winnin.
team. or one that can make the fight in
teresting for the others al the way, h
VIII not regret his investment IN th
baseball business. OF course there Is
I large clement OF chance iu baseball, jus
as there is In any other business. Al
tovuer may pay $40 GU for q player Onl-
to have him turn ont fiZZle just as m
president Of one railroad may employ ia
successful traffic manager of another a
a greatly increased figure over his oh
salary, 0ny TO see his new man ever
/ enort fin the new field tun out a failure
1T is an in the game, or, as 1 may say. tn
business Of baseball
If the owner Of a baseball club
shrewd and has the faculty of surround
|. ing himself with good business men a
! his associates or assistants in the busi
. ness. and If he makes ii a point TO con
, duct his club In q bJsiness-like. systemau
manner, there is no reason why he shoul
regret a Cereer in the baseabl business
I'm sure ] don't. And I've been al ii
long time"