Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-20
SPORTING COMMENT.
BY J. ED GRuLo.

~ -. La 13kxxAO.
Kid Elberfeld has the reputation OF
being out Of the game with injuries
more than any other player. and it is
no wonder that such Is the case, for
where is there player who takes more
chances? When at the bat Elberfeld
never tries to avoid a pitched ball, no
matter where 1t may hit him, and when
covering a base, unlike most players,
who try to avoid the spikes Of a base
runner. Elberfeld stands STILL if by SC
doing he has an advantage.
Elberfeld is no longer a youngster. He
is thirty-three years old, and has been
in the game for some years. and yet
there is not a more interested or hard
working player In the business. There Is
no chance too hazardous for Elberfeld
to tackle. and this explains why he is
often out of the game with injuries. But
while the team is handicapped with Ell
berfeld out of the lineup, and it might
be better If Elberfeld was more con-
sentative and not SO willing to take
chances, yet it is his nature. and he
would be absolutely worthless If he was
placed under any ban.
Cy Young is using the spitban Every
now and then when he finds himself in
q tight pinch the veteran resorted to the
however. that Young has acquired the
spitball. Heretofore 1t was always said
OF him that he was one of the old
fashioned pitchers who did not resort
to the use OF the splitter or any of the
new tangled methods of deceiving The
batter. But Cy has come to the splitter
He finds that it is a most effective ball
at certain stages. and he does not think
it will injure his arm. Perhaps he does
not care whether 1T does or not. for he
has been in the game SO long that ii
matters but little to him when the fin
ISL comes
Too much consideration cannot be
shown the young ball player who joins
major league team for a try out II
the team is to develop young players it
must have the cooperation Of the specta-
tors, for 1t Is much easier to drive player
out OF the game than to develop him
into useful acquisition.
The manager who starts out to de.
velop ball team, for which purpose he
must necessarily try out a lot Of young
and inexperienced players, always has the
spectators to take into consideration. II
the fans will work with him and en-.
courage the recruit the work is com
paratively easy, but IL criticism is to be
hurried at the young players whenever
they blunder there is little or no chance
TO develop them unless it should hap
pen that they made good right from the
outset, which Is not often.
1t must be said to the credit of Wash
ington patrons OF the game that they are
most considerate toward the members OF
the local team. Whenever a player is
criticised by the crowds here it is be-
cause he deserves 1T, and there Is never
a lack or disposition toencourage q new
conner. It is therefore fair to suppose
that McAleer will not be interfered will,
or handicapped In his efforts to build I'D
winning team by. securing young play
ers to take the places OF some Of the
veterans.
Just as soon as Hans Wagner began
TO show his old form the Pirates began to
win. and right now there Is good
chance Of Pittsburg finishing at the top
team is coming with a rush
True. Manager Clarke s pitchers are not
vet showing high-class form, but they
are improving and there is hope that as
the season advances they will be at their
best in which event the Pirates are
That the Pirates were weak during the
time that Wagner seemed unable to ex-
tricate himself from the throes of a
slump shows that this one ball player
means everything to the Pittsburg team
He is its greatest strength. and when
ever he slumps his team does not win
many games.
Philadelphia writer's take the announced
purchase price OF $4,000 for Pitcher
praise Connie Mack for his enterprise
No, there has never been any occasion
for criticising Macks push. There has
always been plenty of it. though IL is
delivered with little ostentation.
Mack Is great base ball man. per-
haps the greatest In some respects, and
what is more there is combined witt
his knowledge Of the game a great mind
for business. incidentally Mr.. Mack
realizes the advantage of having win.
ming team. and he does not overlook q
chance to pick up good ball players. and
has successfully developed many who
were not good when he got them W.
concede all that and more, but wher
Connie Mack pays $4,000 In real none,
for a ball player. Joe Cantillon will be
lecturing at Vassr College.
Though the Athletics have strong
lead in the race they are far from havfns
the flag einched. Much depends on what
sort OF showing the team will make or
Its next western trip. Its first trip in
that territory was far from successful
Just now Boston Is looming up strong
The dual victory yesterday gave tn,
Speed Boys pretty fair hold on SECOND
place. and while they are not crowdins
Macks tenn, vet slump by the Athlet
les and continuation Of winning bal
by Boston would change the situatio,
materially in very short time Blu
it certainly does seem as II Detroit wa.
out of the running so far as the pennan