Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-19
MOST VALUABLE ASSET
OF BALL PLAYERS
Men of Average Ability and
Lots of Nerve Have Best
Chance to Shine.
BY UMPIRE BILLY EVANS.

6x UMkxhG ~0111x GvAN0.
What Is a ball players most valuable
asset?
II he happens to be pitcher some
critics will say a good curve ball: others
will insist that speed battles a batter
more than anything else, many will pin
their faith on a twirler with a change of
pace, while to quite a few control is re-
garded as the greatest feature.
In regard to the catchers. inflelders and
outfielders, many believe the fielding end
Of the game to be the one best bet. while
still more look on men who can hit the
ball as by far the more valuable bits of
base ball property. Quite few will be
firm In the belief that the player with
the cool head and quick wits is sure to
shine the brightest among the stars of
the diamond.
While all these features are valuable
assets to the successful player. most any
wise manager without the slightest hesita-
ton will inform you that the greatest
and most valuable asset has not been
mentioned.
In these days Of modern ball, where
many Of the races in major and minor
organizations are not decided until the
last few weeks of play. the result some
times Ringing on the outcome OF the final
game, there is one trait above all traits
that the manager likes to see In his
players.
It's spirit Of NERVE. A spirit of
gameness that refuses to be denied. A
determination to fight for every point
until the last man has been retired.
Every pennant-w!nning team must pos
sess such characteristic.
When a manager or scout looks over
player for his team he of course first
finds out just what the player can do In
| the field, at the bat or on the rubber. II
| he is satisfied with his findings he then
starts an investigation as to the nerve OF
| the player in question.
First Questions Asked.
"Can he go the route?"
| Does he. blow up in a pinch?''
HAS he q large streak Of yellow?'
How does he act under fire, with the
score against him?''
| Can he pitch just as we'll with q
couple of men on the bases as he does
with the sacks empty?'
These are just few Of the many in
au!ries made by the prospective big
| league purchaser about promising minor
| league recruit.
II q majority Of the reports are ia.
vorable the player is usually bought OF
drafted. The closing Of the transaction
/
or managers troubles. but is just the be-
ginning of the players trials and tribula.
tons.
He must make good the many nice
things that have been said about him.
II the new recruit happens to come
| to the majors with a reputation Of beine
hard hitter all the pitchers are tipped
OF to the fact. II the youngster happens
| to be q trife fresh or chesty and stands
/ closely to the plate It's not an uncom.
mon thing for the pitcher to start 9
couple of fast ones at his head to see II
| they can drive him away. Other pitch
ers will likely follow suit.
| II he demonstrates that he has the
proper nerve, that under no conditions
| can he be driven away from the plate
that such methods invariably result in q
| base ON balls, the pitchers at once look
on him as a batter to be feared. Instead
of trying to drive him away from the
plato by wild pitching and thus hopine
to weaken his batting ability. they sci
about to try and deceive him by legiti-
mate methods.
Should the new recruit come into fast
company heralded as q second Ty Cobt
or Hans Wagner on the bases It at once
becomes the duty of the catchers and
pitchers to try and make him look cheap
| The basemen usually try to intimidate
him by telling him what they intend to
do to him Ii he tries to run wild and
jump pellmell into any base. II the
youngster shows that he has no inten-
ton of being bluffed he Is soon left Sc
curely alone.
A new pitcher, IL he happens to break
tinto fast company In the heat Of pen.