The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-03
MANHATTAN'S GOSSIP
BY MAN HAITIAN

New York, October 2.-(Special )-Bets are being openly made on the result of the coming worlds baseball series. hotels here and 1t is said some hand book men whose sporting blood formerly found vent in small or big plunges on the horses are said to find wagers on baseball contests
 There are many lovers of the national game who regret this. There is a fear that the custom. if not checked, may spread and become a business. Years ago the professional game was almost killed by the prevalence of betting on the results of individual games and series. Some players were seized with the fever and then followed the throwing of games by players, sometimes to win their own bets and at other times to bolster up the betting schemes of men who paid them for crooked playing.
 IL Is recalled that betting and the throwing of games became so much of a scandal that the organization then con trolling baseball found it necessary to ex- pei four noted players and to declare them forever blacklisted from the game. A few days ago while at a game be- tween the Brooklyn and Cincinnati teams an old man was pointed out to me as being one of the blacklisted, for he was sitting all alone on the bleacher. Years ago he would have got an ovation had he appeared on a ball ground.
 Men who brought this matter to my at- tention have expressed the hope that every lover of baseball will frown upon discourage and export every attempt to revive betting on the national game.
 Minor leagues have already begun an agitation with a view of securing the privilege of Sunday ball playing. They will probably find 1t a difficult task as the Protestant churches and 97 Der cent or the Catholic churches are op- posed to sports of any kind on Sun day.
 The owners of a majority of the New York State league teams claim financial losses Tor the season, due, they say. to the fact that Sunday baseball was pro- hipited the greater part of the latter end of the season. It is understood that John H. Farrell. president of the leaeue Will call a meeting of the magnates for the purpose of taking action on the Sum- day baseball question and reducing the salary limit, which now Is $s30O.
 approve of Sunday baseball" said City Magistrate Frederick B. House. a few days ago, flor 1t keeps the crowds away from the saloons
 Maglstrate Houses remarks were oc- casioned by the arraignment of a youth for selling baseball score cards on Sun day.
 'As believe your contention that you oid nor know you were violating the law. VIII discharge you with reprimand."
 Napoleon Lajoie. the famous ball play- er' says ball playing is not an un- natural, but natural, born gift SUD- plemented by grit and practice Here IS his theory In his own words. He says:
 Ball playing is a natural gift. ro up to the pan, and 1t doesn't make any difference how many rules I've learned What I've got to do is hit the ball. They come like streak of lightning. and ali I've got to do is just hit 'em. You hear lot about hitting into the spot this spot or that spot. The way the pitch CTS feed 'em to you nowadays I say. you're lucky if you can hit 'em at all
 And, unless you have got the natural ability to hit it, you'll never be A bat ter.
 No such thing as a slump in bat ting; it's just the luck of the game. Here's the way that is: I go up and hit the ball. The fielder goes after 1t. He just catches 1t. Ir~ out That man out in the center jump 7 faff ls ts- air and catches 1t witt a' ailinb get that handed to me 11r li.lea-.a. f-tfr