Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-08
BY J. ED GRILLO.

One thing the McAleer reg me has
proved weak in has been the improve
ment of young players that have come
into the local fold for trials There is not
a single instance where such material
has shown the slightest Improvement
after weeks of playing. In fact there
have been traces of deterioration in many
instances, which can be charged directly
to a lack of instruction.
1t is a matter of fact that no effort has
been made to teach any of the youngsters
to correct their faults. Whatever they
have accomplished has been without the
slightest aid from any source, which may
explain to certain extent, at least, the
failure of most of the youngsters, if not
all. to come up to expectations.
Young ball players are, as a rule, crude,
and unless they receive proper instruc-
tons and have the proper manner of play
ing the game demonstrated to them their
chances for improving and eventually
making good are decidedly slim.
Take Ainsmith for instance. He is not
within % per cent as good catcher as
he was when he first joined the team.
Clarence Walker, Tom Long, Dixie Walk
er. Bill Cunningham and Bob Groom
have not shown that they have learned
anything since joining the team. Per-
haps II is beyond teaching them. but the
fact remains that no effort has been made
in this direction.
Cunninghams only weakness has been
at the bat. and yet it is matter of fact
that he has not had bat in his hands
for weeks. Morning practice was abandon
ed months ago on the local team, and
such thing as having a meeting, which
every team in the country has at least
once day, has never been INDUCED in
here. There has never been formal dis
cussiOn of plans or the weakness and
strength of rival teams and yet no sue
"a ha ayiC tod
which has not assembled every day just
for the purpose of talking over the game
it was expected to play during the after
noon, and have its mistakes of the pre-
viouS struggle pointed out
There are but few ball players of class
in the game today who did not require a
lot of teaching before they made good.
Few dropped into the big leagues ready
structions. and not until they receive
them do they display the interest in their
work that is essential.
When the Washington club appoints its
next manager it should bear in mind that
there is something for that individual to
do besides telling his players when to
bunt and when to hit. That policy might
be successful enough if the team were
made up Of Cobbs. but under no other
conditions.
What should prove most interesting
series of games will begin here Mon
day at 1870. when McAleer's All-Stars
tackle the Athletics. Two games will
be played here Monday and Tuesday, and
they will be real struggles. Connie Mack
will have his regular lineup on the field.
using the same team with which he hopes
to humble the Giants, and as McAleer
will have one of the strongest combina-
I tions that could be drawn from the other
clubs of the league. some real base ball
should be witnessed here.
Ac moe m no aypactad tho Giants have
been installed favorites In the betting,
though this should not discourage those
| who have confidence in the Athletics.
The fact should not be overlooked that
| on dope the Athletics are the stronger
| team Mack's aggregation has proven
| it's strength on more than one occasion,
and while it does not necessarily follow
| that the strongest team will win the ma
jority of a seVen-game series, yet those
backing the American League champions
are sure to get a run for their money.
There is perhaps no doubt that the result
Of the series will depend almost entirely
on the work of the pitchers, as is usually
the case when two well balanced ball
teams meet. Mathewson and Marquard
have done splendid work for the past
month or so in particular but they nave
/ been forced to their utmost, while the
| Athletics twirlers have been able to take
things easy. TING will do better work
when so importan, matter as the
| worlds series is to be decided and VIII
have what looks to be the best hitting
| team to help them out.
/ Tho Giants are not feeble-hlttlng
| team, and yet there are several players
| in the lineup on whom pitcher can
rest up If the going has been hard. There
will be, no such respite for the Giants
twirlers. Every man that faces them
/ from Briscoe Lord to the pitchers must
| be feared. Barry. who bats seventh,
may not have a formidable average. but
he is far from being a poor batter. and
! this Is especially true If he comes up in the
pinches Granting that McGraw has
some great pitchers they are sure to
have their hands full unless all signs
fall for If there is one thing the Athletics
can do, it is hit No pitcher can loaf
on them. They are at 1t all the time and
have just enough long hitters to prevent
any game from looking safe after their
opponents have a short lead.
| Both Athletics and Giants have good
hitting pitchers. Coombs is the best OF
l. the bunch, but Bender. Plank, krause,
lMathewson and Crandall can deliver the
| hits with fair degree of frequency,
Though none equals the talented lad from
Colby. Coombs used to play the outfield
hi had hafn