Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-28
6ERTINENT @iNGNT
EsHappeni3$s1 SPortdom

adopted. For several years, the system
of having the visiting players dress at
National League. Its virtues have been
generally recognized. and on several oc-
casions il has been urged that the Ameri-
| can League follow the example OF the
| old league and install these dressing
rooms, but the proposition has always
| been turned down. 1t may be, OF course
| that Griffith will have more influence
than have those advocating the scheme
before him, but there is usually some
hesitancy to go into any scheme which
means the outlay of a fortune.
Just why there should be any secrecy
! regarding the arranging Of the two
major league schedules is hard to I'M
derstand, and Yet the committees OF the
two leagues which have this work to
do cannot be blamed for going into some
quiet retreat to do this work. The pub
lie is not apt to be Interested until the
schedule is completed.
Such thing as having the players
gather in meeting every day or just
before every series i'm order to discuss
the strength and weaknesses of the
opposing team. has not been practised
on the local team for many years. IL
in fact at all But under Griffith there
were be such meetings nearly every
day. and surely regularly during the
early weeks OF the campaign.
Much is to be gained by these dis
CuSSlOnS. IN tne pl6ce III Keeps
the players interested and gives them
an incentive to give their work the
thought they should. Incidentally &c
gives them a chance to have THAR own
shortcomings pointed out and will do
much to make their work intelligent.
In this respect much has been neglect
ed here. Players who have improved
in a Washington uniform have done SO
on their own courage. They have had
little or no assistance and il speaks
well for those who have made good.
Up in Cleveland they contend that
the Maps lost lot of games last sea-
son because of poor coaching at third
base Base runners were frequently
sent home when there was not a
chance for them to score, and on other
occasions were held by the coachers
when they should have walked over
the plate.
There is but one place where a coacher
third base. and for that reason only
players of intelligence should ever be
stationed there. The coacher at first
cannot prevent a base runner from be-
ing caught off the bag by the pitcher.
The base runner must watch out for him.
self there. 1t stands to reason that IL the
coacher anticipates the pitcher and yelits
to the base runner; Is too iate the
at third base it is different. Most Of the
time the play is behind the base runner
and the coacher must instruct him az
good Judgment tells. and yet one fire.
quently sees a major league team play
ing a game with some green youngstes
coaching at third.
Because the St Louis Browns happened
to win the post-season series from the
Cardinals which undoubtedly was q Nest
glaring fiuke Owner Hedges OF that club
does not seem to think that his team re-
quires much strengthening. such a Sc
ries Of games proves little so far as the
relative strength of teams Is concerned.
The element of luck cuts an enormous
figure. and in this particular instance the
Cardinals were Tar from being In their
best shape. The chances are that the
Browns will wind up the American
League race In last place again next sea.
son. and II they do IL will mean the hur.
ried exit of Hedges from base bail.