Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-26
SPORTING COMMENT.
BY J. ED GRILLO.

1t is of course impossible for the
general public to know just what the con-
dition of Jeffries is al this time, because
of the many conflicting reports coming
from his training camp, yet it is fact
that every pugilistic expert or writer of
any reputation holds that the former
champion is even now within a few weeks
of fighting condition. Reports to the con-
trary seem to emanate from sources
which still have to establish their relia-
bility.
Many of the fattering things said about
Jeffries' condition are termed press no.
tees, and Yet there are at least two IN
stances where men who have followed the
pugilistic game for many years, and have
a reputation at stake. give 1t as their
opinion that Jeffrles will enter the ring to
meet Johnson in as good condition as ne
ever was in his life.
One thing certain is that these reports.
regardless of which end of the question
they may take, will not influence the
public to any extent. The average man
who thinks that JeffrieS can beat john
son thought so as soon as it became as
sured that the two would meet. He took
the fact that Jeff had been out of the
ring for four years into consideration at
that time. The same is true of the john
son adherents, that the followers OF
neither fighter will allow their opinions TO
be swerved. and the question Will not De
settled until July 4. no matter what the
reports ITOlll tile u SdiiPH iioS ~
The manner of directing the New York
team on the field differs perhaps, from
the methods employed by all other teams
AS a rule. the manager is the one to
direct the plays, though he may do this
through the teams captain. but this
system is not in vogue in the Highland
ers' games, and thereby hangs a tale.
Stallings. SO the story goes. wanted to
have the say when the team was prac-
ticing I'm the south. but Hal Chase, his
captain, oh jected, contending that 1t was
absurd for d man on the bench TO tell
a player at the bat or on the bases
what to do Chase insisted that player
should be allowed to think for himself
and if instructed to do certain thing
be given the privilege to do just the
opposite If conditions existed which war
ranted such change. So insstent was
Chase that he refused to continue as
the teams captain II this rule was not
put into effect. and Stallings had to re-
lent. Now Chase is running the team
He directs the play, but allows his play
ers to do their own thinking, so that
they need not follow instructions if they
have reason to believe that the opposing
team is anticipating their play:
StaIlings very wisely is allowing Chase
to have his own way. and his team is
going along better than ever as a result
1t has taken years to convince the ball
players that there is nothing to be gained
by kicking against the umpires de-
cisions and that u team which is in
sistent in this practice is the sufferer.
Once. an umpire has given a decision he
cannot change it. and the old theory that
it is wise to kick to influence the next
decisions does not hold good.
Umpires are going to make mistakes
theX are bound to-yet there is no doubt
that they judge every play just as they
see it, and during a seasons campaign
a team will probably get the better of as
many decisions as will be decided against
it.
Jim M~Aleer has been in base ball
many years, during which Slme he has
frequently been fined and suspended for
Directing too strenuously against the
rulings of one of the jumps, but only
now does he realize that these objec-
lions have not benefited him OF his
team in the least.
A ball team can play aggressive and