Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-16
SPORTING COMMENT.
By J. ED GRILLo.

For the first time in many years the
American League race does not promise
to furnish an exciting finish. The Athlet-
les are gaining more Of a lead with every
day, and Its rivals are not showing any
signs OF squirting. That this condition
Of affairs will prove a detriment to the
league. from a business point OF view,
there Is hardly q doubt. The public
loves a contest. and when a pennant
race Is decided while there is still vir-
tually q third Of the season to be played,
public interest begins to drop and nat
urally the attendance suffers In conse-
quence. But the very fact that this con-
dition exists Is another conclusive proof
that there Is no manipulation of the pen
nant races. as some people insist.
In most Of the previous pennant fights
two or more teams have been hooked up
in a head-and-head struggle about this
stage of the race. and year before last
any one of four teams had chance TO
win the flag during the last week of the
season. Not only did this state OF anairs
help the attendance in the cities affected
by the contests, but even the cities
fited.
In the National League there is at least
a struggle on between two teams. and this
is none too close, but gives promise OF
Ocih8 SiOSCi OcAOAC TAG - ASosSAA~~'
There is no city in the circuit which
appreciates the good work Of its ball team
more than do the patrons Of the game
players on their appearance on the neio
yesterday shows that their efforts have
not been in vain. 1t IL not because OF
the lack Of encouragement that wash
ington has had a losing team Tor these
many years. Ball players are well treat
ed here and the fans are easier to please
than in most cities.
There Is no doubt that the encourage
ment which comes to the players as re-
suit OF their good work does much TO urge
them on. Just now the Nationals are en-
toying the conditions which always comes
to q inning team. They are encouraged
in everything they do and their short
comings are overlooked, with the result
that they play with dash and lots OF con-
hdence
Any one who has made careful study
OF Walter Johnson's pitching can pretty
after he has gone an inning or SO. When
Johnson is right his fast ball seems to
curve the last half Of the distance from
the slab to the plate, and when he Is not
II looks as straight as string
There are naturally two sides to the
stand taken by the club owners to pre-
vent their players from indWying In the
game during the OF season. The players
feel that once the season 10 over they
should be allowed to spend their time as
they see fit, and that IL the view that
most any one would take of the matter
at the first glance. But the club must
also be protected. Its only asset Is Its
team. Without a ball team no base ball
plant or property Is worth q continental
as a productive proposition. Therefore.
II must protect its assets. 1t pays ball
players big salaries for their work and
IL should not allow such players TO
endanger their future for the sake OF
picking up q few stray dollars. That
is the clubs side of II.
has delivered the goods for his salary
he can go where and when he pleases
and do as he may see fit. Which Is true
enough, but the fact should never be
overlooked that II Is q players duty TO
help protect the game.
u may Of course, be a mere prank OF
the game to show its uncertainty, but II
does seem strange that the New York
team. which hits all pitchers as IL they
were bush leaguers on its own grounds.
finds II difficult to score more than a run
or two per game when It gets on the road.
II may be that the climate on the hill
top in New York Is invigorating to the
batting eye. or there may be some other
causes, but II is rather strange neverthe
less that team should show such re-
markable reversal Of form with the bat
when on the road.
Just why 1t is that with hundreds of
minor league clubs in operation and thou
sands of players engaged in the playing
outfielders in sight who have a chance to