The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-18
United Press Wire Service
LOU VAN ZANDT 1. JUVENILE MASCOT
 FOR ATHLETICS

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 ! How many boys in this city-in fact. throughout the, country wouldn't give sires to be mascot of the worlds
 champion AthleHcs? There are few sWho wouldn't delight in the job, but there are few, if any, who could be prsouder pr more happy with the hon. stitIe-holder. Louisy is now in his fourth year as the mascot of the Attn letiCs, writes an admirer, He started tn, the closing part of the 1909 season, continued on through 1916, and 1911, when Connie Mack's tribe captured the mueh-coyeted world gonfalon, and is hero with the team to-day. M a~ There have been all sorts of yarns spun as to how Louis Van Zandt landed the much-coveted mascot po- sition, but probably the true facts have never been related. The Attn through the fact that they carried no mascOts, their victories were won without any attempt to conciliate the jinx god. Then in the closing weeks of1 1909 the team hit a snag. In the final Detroit series the Tigers swept them last appearance in Philadelphia little Louis Van Zandt for the first time in his life journeyed to Shibe park to see a big league game. He found the stands jammed, and in some way worked his way out on the field near the Athletics bench. sxr
 Things were breaking bad for Con- nie and his athletes thai day, and to add to the misfortunes there was no bat boy around. Connie saw, Louis seated on the ground a few feet away. He sent one of the substitute players proffered the position of bat boy for the afternoon. Louis as sgraNely ac- cepted. It was the happiest moment of his life. We'll, from the time Louis first touched a bat the Athletics start ed to slug in their old style. and @ a, demonstrate how yfciously they acted toward the Detroit sluggers ini the closing innings ,@ stf r S F After the game Louis made a quick getaway. Several Of the players had been chatting with the temporary bat to him. That winning game was play ed on a Saturday, butt when Monday came Louis didn't appear and the Ath- letics were badly beaten. On Tuesday Louis Van Zandt was on hand again, and sure enough the Athletics won. That settled it; the players wanted Louis for a regular mascot and told Connie Mack. And they were more fnsistent the next day, when Louis didn't appear and they lost again.
 On Thursday shortly before the game commenced Louis put in an appear see that the boy didn't leave Che ball park until he had been officially en- gagged as mascot. Of course the Ath- letics won, and Louis was oftcial1y fn- stalled in his new position. Twice during the remainder of the year the new mascot missed his job, and both times the Athletics lost, That ce- mented the contract. Louis had some difficulties. too. He was attending school. in West Philadelphia and couldn't get ito the grounds in time for the game unless he left early. Hence the teacher was told of the ne Athletics, she readily agreed to let Louis slip away earlier. iss
 The mascot has made many trips with the team, not missing one of the worlds series games and appearing at all the home games In 1910 and 1911. and so far in 1912. He is now r years old and is well-liked, gentle manly little fellow. Especially is he chummy with Rnbe Oldring,s and this pair are together at odd moments. Ben Egan, the new catcher. is anoth- CT contender for strong frfendship priv ileges. During the prosress Of the Mack, who has great liking for the, mascot While the Athletics are at bat Louis has a certain position in which he crouches beside the bats. He has done 1t so many times that his footmarl1s can be easily seen not only at Shibe park, but at all the par3xs around the American league circuit. By crouching in the one- position Louis says he brings luck to the Athletics. -e
 Recently Rube Oldring was in the midst of batting slump, and Louis grief couldn't be checked Each time the blonde outfielder. came in Louisg made him sit down by his side in the hopes of chasing the jinx. The mas cot hasn't lost confidence in the Ath- letics, and predicts that they'll repeat this year. He has supreme confidence in Connie Mack and if asked who is the most wonderful man of the present day doesn't hesitate to answer: Why, Connie Mack, of course.''s s4Sss- zs.issf