Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-30

to be a bonehead, much of his natural
ability would go to waste, simply be-
cause he failed to use his energy in the
proper direction.
Difference in Education.
In order to be a brainy base ball player
a man does not have to be a college
graduate or the possessor of even a high
school education. Some of the very
smartest and cleverest opponents Of the
great national game are fellows of but
little education. Some of them were
forced to quit school early and start work
In factory or mill. SO as to add their
help toward the sustenance of the fam
1ly. Base ball brains are not developed
I'm college. although there is no doubt
that in some cases college man may
possibly grasp situations and opportuni-
ties more quickly.
There are in the major and minor
leagues today any number of players
whose education has been very limited,
Yet In many cases these same players
stand head and shoulders above their
teammates, many of whom have had
every possible advantage to develop their
intellect. The doing OF the proper thing
al the right time and the attempting or
tie unexpected appear to be second ma
ture TO a lot of the diamond stars-just
natural instinct
Many major league managers are at
variance over the relative ability of the
college ball player and the men who get
their base ball start the back lots.
Connie Mack is one manager who has a
strong affection for the collegian. Mack's
lineup fairly bristles with former college
stars among them being Eddie Collins,
Harry Davis. Eddie Plank Jack Barry
aud quite a few others. Then there are
couple of other managers in the Ameri-
can and National leagues who can't see
the college player with Lick telescope.
These managers have had very unsuc-
ceSsful time of II with the 'rah'' "rah"
boys. and naturally they prefer the corner
lot graduates to the chaps who have had
all the advantages of liberal college
education, whatever they are.
Moriarty Takes Chances,
There are faster base runners than
George Moriarty OF the Detroit team, but
mighty few fellows have a brain that
moves more quickly. At least five times
last year Moriarty pulled off the SEEM
ingly impossible feat of stealing home.
In each instance he took a desperate
cnance and succeeded. He did not jump
wildly at the deed, but used every ounce
OF gray matter to make his efforts posi-
BILE. Strangely enough. in each game the
stealing. of home proved the turning
point III the contest, making a Tiger vic
tory certain.
lMoriarty always made a study of the
pitcher when reaching first base. If he
quick to take advantage OF the fact.
Neither did Moriarty pass up the catch
ers in his base running. If he discov
cred that every now and then the receiver
would jus; about toss the ball back to
the pitcher he would start the delayed
steal. 1t is safe to say that the Tigers
tIIird-sacker pulled off the delayed steal
as much If not more than any other man
fl the country.
The five thefts OF home made by
Moriarty were due TO the big lead he
secured and the long swing INDUCED in
by the pitcher preparatory to delivering
the ball. Just as soon rs Moriarty dis
covered that the pitcher was INDUCING
IN a longer wind-up than usual he would
start TO slowly edge up to the plate. al
lowing the pitcher to deliver sometimes
many as four or five balls before
making the dash for home The Detroit
third sacker isn't slow on the paths by
any means, but the celebrity of his brain
makes him a more dangerous man on the
bases than players with much greater
sTeed. Any time he reached third last
year the umpire behind the plate set
himself for decision at the plate. as he
looked for Moriarty to take the chance.
The slightest delay or the part Of
manager in making a change often re-
suits disastrously. Sometimes even after
he has done the proper thing the change
proves a failure. That's one big reason
why the job of managing ball team is
anything but an enviabie one.
It's very easy matter to siti in the
stand and manage a ball team and
very simple task TO pick managers &C
tons to pieces after the game is over If
the manager makes change and the
new man proves "A fZZle he will be roast
Ell. II he fails to make a change when
a pitcher looks wobbly and as a result
the game is lost because OF that mans
poor work. then he is PANIED for not
making the change. Generally the man
ager of a ball team gets il coming or
going, no matter whether lie is In charge
OF major league club or the rankest
kind of bush organization.
Throwing Costs Rossman Job.
The taking advantage of a little thing
drove Claude Rossman out OF the big
league. There are very few men playing
ball today who can clout the sphere any
harder or any better than Claude Ross
nan. If YOU have any doubt on this
point consult any American Lea que pitch
who has worked against Rosslnan
lie is as coed target as there is in the
American League for an infielder to
throw To. ard although he has a good
arm. for some reason or other he is not
al accurate tErower.
Ttossman's inability 10 throw for some
reason was not discovered for a couple