The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-12
Sporting .Ne1Os
Najor League 7alk of
 Players and The Game

Chicago July 1i.-lSpeciaa. l-lt IS eNl- dent that Hans Wagner's batting lau- rels are in danger from the persistent slugging of a youngster in the American circuit namely, one Eddie Collins, whose hitting is doing the greater part Of the work in keeping the Athletics up in the race for the pennant This Collins boy Is not only close upon Wagner's heels for the highest rating in either league but from present indications will Wrest from the "Dutchman" an honor he has held exclusively for many years-that or being the first man to round out the century mark in base hits. To daue the "kId" has a vantage of three hits upon Wagner the record standing 97 to 9S Tn his favor.
 Collins record last week was 1e hits for A total of 2a bases. which included three doubles. two triples and a homer. As compared to Wagner's 12 hits for the same total which of itself is no mean performance, Collins record is nothlns less than brilliant. The batting average of the rivals for the week was; Collins .sSs. Wagner .SS7. Collins. therefore ran I'D his average 3s points for the week. while Wagner is a point better than ms last weeks mark.
 Bozeman Bulger, the New York base ball scribe, writes the following;
 Christv Mathewson is going to find 1t hard to get his name in the paper If ne doesn't quit pitching so many good games fin q string. He has cut off P victories out of his last IS games, and it has ceased to be a novelty. Hence the following fable Cfacts, tool:
 A young reporter rushed madly lnto the main office T have great teature' he cried. in great excitement, to the sporting editor. "Mathewson has pitched another shutout game. He struck out three men in succession when things were looking squally."
 The cold eye of the sporting editor turned and fell upon the youth with withering glance "To the scrap heap with that story" he snarled. and started to turn away. A pleading look from the youth arrested his attention and he loosened up.
 "Young man." began the S. E., you thought that was news, didn't your and the reported nodded. Well it isn't. Let me tell you what news is.
 .'If YOU should see an automobile run over a man out there in the street that is not news. It is a common occurrence almost a habit. But" and he paused for emphasis, If you should see man run over an automobile in his hurry mat is a darn good story. ..
 ''Now." concluded the s. E., "the hrst time you see Matty knocked out of the box YOU come drumming with the story that's a peach.
 And. say!r he yelled, as the reporter started away. eff you see Bugs Ray mond drinking water between games you may FLY with that"
 What is an amateur?
 All depends on what sport you are engaged in.
 If a college athlete. you are not sup posed to have ever contested for money, not even for a nickel offered by your grandpa when you were kiddie of D
 If a trapshooter, you can compete for money but you must never have sold powder or guns or had any firm pay your expenses to a tournament
 If a golfer you are barred if you have ever competed for money. made golf olubs for living or acted as profes- sional instructor for a club, but you can play in tournaments with professionals.
 Tn every sport there Is a different idea of Just what an amateur sportsman is
 To say the least, 1t is confusing
 The colleges are supposed to be the most strict, but even there some profes- sionalisn1 is allowed 10 creep in in roundabout way.
 college athlete may work all sum- mer in a harvest field and return a clean amateur, but if he plays one game of baseball and takes a cent he Is barred from amateur circles.
 That is, if they can prove it on him.
 Over in England they have been calling a "simon pure" amateur the man who played for the pure love of the sport, and who did not work for living.
 We do not go that far in America. If we did Harry Payne Whitney and young Jay Gould would be about the only anna teur sports on the job
 But yet, what Is an amateur?
 Hughie Jennings. manager of the Ti- gers is wondering if he did not make mistake in 1907 when he let Catcher Ar cher go to the Buffalo team. Archer stayed with Buffalo Just a year, and then the Chicago Cubs snatched him up Archer is said to be the best thrower in he business No one In either league not even Johnny King, Is the equal of the Canadian boy when 1t comes to peg ging to the bases
 His one great weakness is inability to hit. Every time he comes to bat it is an almost certain out. Clarke Griffith, man. ager of the Reds says he would never have let him get out of the league if he had been with his club when waivers were asked. Griffith was on his ranch in Montana at the time.
 Tyrus Raymond Cobb Is again proving a whirlwind on the saclls. Although the halfway station of the 1909 campaign has not been reached. Cobb needs but three more stolen bases to equal his 1908 mark.
 Including the games of Tuesday Cobb has swiped 36 bases. He has participated in the 1 frolfcs played by the Tigers. Last year in 150 games Cobb stole 3e bases. Doughertv was the leader last year, with 4 in 13S games. but the Hon. Patrick has been on the sick list great CT part of the present year and owns only 15 pliers in 54 games.
 TnE yTTI, TILTED