Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-16
BY J. ED GRILLO.

There is no innovation in the fact that
the National League is to receive all
the base balls it can use for nothing.
This state OF affairs has been in exist
ence for some years. but every club
pays SO a dozen for the balls it uses,
nevertheless.
While the league gets them gratis,
much of the expense of running the
organization is liquidated by the sale of
the balls by the league to the individual
clubs. OF course, this makes no difference
to the clubs. for if they We're not charged
for the balls they would be assessed to
cover the expenses Of the league. but
the arrangement prevents a waste of
the balls, for the clubs try to use as
few as possible.
That the manufacturers of the ball
used by the National League not only
give the league the balls, but pay it a
bonus for using them, is true, for it is
the use Of the ball by the professionals
that gives it its prestige and makes
1t salable article among the amateurs.
One of the charges made against Joe
CantillOn while he was manager of the
Nationals was that he mistreated his
players. All sorts of stories, none OF
them based on facts, were peddled about
of how he abused his men, and this was
>
poor showing.
Strange enough Cantillon had five or
six former Nationals on his team in
Minneapolis last season which won
secured from Washington expressed
desire to go with Cantillon. which un-
doubtedly indicates that they did not
consider themselves abused during his
regime here.
Yesterday Wade kiIlifer, who was
given the pick of the club he wanted
to be sold to, selected Cantillon's club.
Wade played under Joe in Washington
had it. he would not have been apt
to give Cantillon the preference for
his services.
failure in big league company but his
lack of ability. 1t is doubtful if any
youngster ever had better chance to
make good than he. He was given
every opportunity here because Nc
Aleer believed he would develop into
high-class player. He showed flashes
enough to warrant this, yet his stick
work was too weak to hold him among
the big fellows In a minor league.
where the pitching is several per cent
weaker. kllifer may prove a splendid
player.
He is hustler. always keeps himself
in condition and what is more, he is
game.
Doc Reislings retirement is most un-
timely. for even though he would have
picked but few games the coming
season. MS presence on the team was
invaluable because of his Willingness
to impart his knowledge of the art to
the young members of the pitching
staff. There was never n day that
Reisling did not take one of the other
pitchers in hand and try to teach him
to overcome his faults. He is a keen
Judge of a pitcher and watched his
colleagues work very closely, so that
he could call their attention to mis-
takes the following day. He was
self-appointed coach of the pitchers
and there was not single one who
wasn't always willing to take Does
advice.
There is no doubt that much OF the
wisdom which Walter Johnson displayed
late last season was the result Of Refs
ling's teachings.
The fact that Reisling refuses to dis
cuss his reasons for quitting the game
has led many to believe that the terms
offered him were not satisfactory This,
however, is barely possible. Manager
McAleer appreciated Reislng. and in dis
GUESSING his players last fall Reisling was
one of those mentioned TO receive a SUBJ