The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

 Ty Cobb the champion batsman of the | American League, recently wrote story about the influence of the fans on the I players Here is what Ty said: Right here I would like to say some I thing about the influence of the fan on | the player It was factor the impor- tance of which cannot be too greatly emphasized. I know from experience. l have felt the sting of jeers. and I have felt the exhllaration after round of ap- plause had greeted one of my efforts. After all, the making of ball player depends in large measure upon the lovers of the game. When a youngster breaks into fast company he Is naturally bit nervous. If he fails in his first turn at bat or falls down on his first fielding chance, the nervousness is increased, and 1t is right there that the fans can do a lot toward either making or breaking the recruit.
 You sometimes hear ball player de- clare that he does not care a rap for public opinion He is faking, either doing it intentionally or fooling himself as well. I do not believe a player ever lived who was not influenced by the manner in which he was treated by the fans It Is human nature to give heed to what one hears of himself.
 T have always been ambitious to please the fans, and I believe it has helped me wonderfully. I would not give a snap of my finger for a ball player who would not try his hardest at all times, but you can take it from me that it Is much easier to try when you know that the spectators appreciate what you do.
 ''The fan can help the players wonder fully by smothering that bit of criticism when a home player makes an error and by letting out twice as enthusiastically as you have done in the past when one of the players makes good play. Try 1t next season, and see If you don't enjoy the games more thoroughly
 For sixteen years Larry Lajoie has batted better than BOO One reason for this is that Larry always steps up to the ball. He doesn't wait for it to come to him.
 The minor league clubs are beginning to cut out a hot pace in the matter of innovation. The Jersey City club started the ball rolling by announcing that it's players will train in Bermuda next spring, and now comes the New Orleans club with declaration that 1t will get into condition on the Isthmus of Panama. It might be supposed that the Cleveland Americans and the Chicago Nationals have engaged the grounds of the Pel' clans for the greater part of the spring, and the Pelicans therefore will be com peled to go further south Notice has been served on all the members of the New Orleans team to report salary in February, and they will go to Panama for a months stay. Arrangements have been made for series of games with teams in Panama, the negotiations hav- ing been with w.. H. Payne, J. B. Will Hams and R. s. Mosher, who control teams in Panama. The entire New Or leans team will make the trip to the canal zone, which should be interesting, aside from the advantages to be gained in becoming fit for the Southern League race.
 The captains of all the football teams have been chosen for next year. It is interesting to note that of the captains 8 play halfback, 15 end, IA tackle. 8 full back, guard, quarterback and center.
 Batting won the American Association pennant for Minneapolis last season. The 1911 champions were last in team field ing. according to the official averages is- sued yesterday by President Chivington, while Columbus, with an average of .956, was first.
 Tom Jones, of Milwaukee, a former member of the Detroit club of the Amer ican League, topped the first basemen with an average of 991. Hulswitt of Louisville, former National League player, leads the second basemen with .97. Among the catchers Ritter, of h. dianapolis, heads the list, with a per- centage of .991. He made only six errors in 134 games. Shannon. of Kansas City, proved the best outfielder with a per-