The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-07-26
BASEBALL SCOUT
IS NOW FIXTURE
.AloR LEAGUE CLUBS COULD
NOT DISPENSE WITH SER
VICES OF SCOUTS NOW
MUST USE DIPLOMACY.

Some wears ago a few major league
baseball teams thought II necessary
IN employ man to travel around the
country aud watch the young play
ors OF course every team had n num-
~ of experts scattered about
among the leagues who, If they chanc-
cd 10 see likely looking youngster,
would put the manager wise. but today,
ca desperate has become the hunt for
hig league timber, there is not Il
club in either of the major leagues
that has not a couple OF men on the
road looking after their interests.
For as Is well known, many n star
ballplayer has been picked up In
some town that had never been heard
Of and come into fame only through
the baseball ability of its son.
There are many interesting little
4 tales connected with the discoveries
NJ great ballplayers. Hans Wagner
was signed up as a pitcher on one OF
the small league aggregations and
seemed doomed to go back to the UNI
interesting and quiet life of the coun-
trv village until his wise manager
thought that perhaps he might be able
IN play somewhere else so gave him
tryout.
And Hans has been famous ever
since. Larry Lajoie, Jimmy Collins
I'm fact, nearly all the great ones
have been landed by some worthy scout
whose chance or fate brought them
10 the village where these embryonic
stars were astounding their fellow
citizens.
To one not acquainted with the life
the work of a scout must look very
easy and pleasant. 1t would seem that
travelling about the country, watch
ing ball games, with all expenses
paid was very desirable sort Of
life But in reality, it's not as fine
as II looks. After awhile IT gets very
monotonous jumping from one little
town to another. putting up with all
kinds of hotel accommodations, spend
ing the greater part of your time on
hot stuffy trains or arguing with
avaricous minor league managers.
The scout meets some managers
that would almost drive him crazy.
They hear that a big league scout is
in town and Immediately the prices on
their men soar skyward. Ii is, only by
the use OF much diplomacy and tact
that one can obtain a player he wish
IS from some OF these fellows. In n
little town In the far west n scout
arrived and for couple of days
watched the work of the teams there.
He endeavored to keep his identity
secret, but an oldtimer who hap
pened to be on the train gave the Sc
cret away. He was attracted by the
playing of an outfielder and decided
that he was the man he was after.
But he did not mention the fact.
There was an infielder on the team
who was I'm the habit of pulling off
star plays. and the skirmisher asked
the manager for his price ON him. The
reply mentioned such a sum that the
scout almost tainted. Finally, after
haggling and dickering for a couple
Of hours. he agreed to take the player
and give him trial, with the pro-
viso that II he made good he was TO
pay $4,000 for him. The scout knew
well enough that the man would new
er make the big league. but this was
only part of his game.
When he went to the station, bound
Tor his next stopping place. the man.
ager and the infelder were with him
AS the train was pulling i'm he fished
roll of bills from his pocket, turned
TO his companion and said: by the
way, want an outfielder. I'll give you
1900 cash for that chap you had out
IN center" you can have him"
came the reply. and the manager,
well satisfied. tucked the money into
MS pocket and waved the pair good
by Some two weeks later the infield-
er returned to his old stamping ground.
while the other chap. purchased very
cheapy. Is now one of the greatest
stars In the game. And so Il goes.
u Is always a case of dicker and out
wit.
Ihen there Is another point to be
considered. II a scout who Is on the
ROAD picks out n number of men and
not one Of them shows sufficient class
ne mas put his club to great expense.
a." Tor nothing. Say. for instance.
ne IL on the coast and sends player
10 one OF the big teams In the east
erh leagues. The youngster will cost
several thousand dollars, while the
expense of transportation, etc. viii
anount to no inconsiderable figure.