Evening star., 1911-01-15
TRAINER BIG HELP
Keeps Players in Condition for
the Pennant Campaign.
VALUE OF SPRING WORK
Few Accommodations for Teams in
0lden Days-Players Are More
Valuable Now.
VALUE OF SPRING WORK
Special Dispatch to The Star.


PHILADELPHIA. Pa, January IA
With the advancement Of base ball as
the world moves round there have been
many Innovations, and possibly one of the
most important OF these is the addition
Of an expert trainer to the stan of all
major and many minor league clubs.
To the uninitiated the word trainer
does not carry much weight. A diction-
sry would interpret trainer as one
who trains others" But in base ball that
meaning would not adequately describe
the duties of the trainer.
Old base ball players will tell how they
used 10 go to the clubhouse after the
game, remove their uniforms, don their
street clothes and so to home or a~hotei
for supper. There was no shower oath
for them, no steam or vapor baths, and
most important OF all, no trainer
A pitcher whose arm was sore was
compelled TO get witch hazel and arnica
and rub himself. A catcher. inneioer
or outfielder who sustained a cut or
bruise wrapped it with tire tape or ap-
niied some simple home remedy. He
went to a physician il the injury was
serious. such as a fracture or deep
cash.
Things Have Changed.
How things have changed. Today the
ball player. lauded by the populace and
pampered by his owner and manager,
hurries to the clubhouse following the
game, where the trainer and often one
or more assistants are waiting. The
shower baths await the diamond star,
and if the trainer advises 1t he will use
the vapor BATH
After he comes out of the bath the
trainer is there. and il he has a sore
arm or any of his muscles are weary,
ne reclines on the rubbing board. where
he gets treatment which Is as good as an
expert masseur could give him. He does
not even have to supply the witch hazel
and arnica. or whatever preparation Is
used.
And should the man who can command
the plaudits Of thousands every day have
A cut or bruise! Gracious, how terrible!
The wound rs thoroughly cleansed and
every precaution taken to prevent blood
poisoning And 1t is bandaged with all
the skill employed by a physician.
Still further will the club owner go to
keep his men in the best Of condition. A
sore arm or any trouble which does not
soon respond to the treatment OF the
trainer means that the player must have
he X-ray used. An expert then diagnoses
the case.
Father to Players.
However, all this has served to lengthen
the usefulness Of base ball players. Ask
any member Of the Phillies and he will
tell you that without Mike Dee he might
not be able to play one-half the season.
Mike, through long association with Mike
Murphy. Penn's famous trainer, has
learned to be almost father to the
players He knows their every need and
advises them each In q different way cal
culated to meet that need.
Just as Dee Is q necessary adjunct to
the Phillies, so Doc Chadwick is q big
man at Shibe Park. The Athletics look
to Doc each day. and he did much to
carry them through campaign which
won for them q worlds championship
and an American League pennant.
Yes. base ball Is keeping pace with the
trainer will dnd his duties more arduous
Zach year.
Spring Work Important.
Just as important to the success Of a
base ball club in these days IS the spring
training, which 1s done In the south
and, by the way. that Is where the train
ar gets in his real work. Not only does
every club in both major leagues plan
conditioning trip to the south or other
suitable climate. but many Eastern
League, American Association. Tri-State
and New York State and other minor
eague clubs will also report in the south
this spring.
One OF the most extensive spring trips
ever taken is that planned by the Boston
Americans for this spring. They will 60
10 the Pacific coast. and in two squads
work their way back to the east. playing
games almost every day All the other
clubs are planning games in the south or
west, thereby hoping to cut down some
what the enormous expense attached to
the trip.
When it is estimated that 81 600 600
and possibly when all the minor league
clubs are included twice that amount
will be expended for spring training of
base ball players. the scale upon which
il is conducted can be imagined. The
present day ball player. be he major or
minor. will stop at nothing but the most
expensive hotel. For long jumps he mus;
ride in a Pullman. and his appetite for
dishes on the bill Of fare which cost as
much as the ordinary mortaPs full days S
rations comes the moment the club owner
is paving the bill