Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-09

he would say thing like that didn't want to take
his job Nevertheless, the veteran had spoken the
truth and before the was half Jack the
regular second baseman
TWAS SO engrossed in this that almost forgot about
myself and late getting out to the field when
practice began.
The manager put me through half-hours work of
pitching to the batters that afternoon but could tell
from the way he was handling that he had no in
tention of using me in game for several days:
There were FIVE pitchers on the team who had won
their spurs by long service and naturally they would
be called upon ahead of me. Managers don't like to
take chances young fellow in the spring. There
SO many things the newcomer must pick up from asso-
citation that he cannot grasp them in a week.
Until got into the big league had been under the
impression that if pitcher had good curve and plenty
of speed he could fool anybody didn't realize that
had to know something about the man was facing.
Neither did it dawn upon that should find it nee
essary pitch certain balls according to the stage OF
the game In other words =. was thoroughly green
and heard his fiery comments as the battle went on,
this greennness impressed itself upon me more and
more. not long in realizing the necessity OF keep
ing young fellow on the bench long time before try
ing him out in a championship game. | saw so much
ahead of learn that the responsibility staggered
me- am free to admit that got to where loved the
security of the bench and not at all anxious to step
out and face the fire. That may sound like cowardly
admission; but it was knowledge of my own weakness,
and not fear of my opponents.
The fan who sits in the grandstand and watches the
players stroll to the bench IN careless way between
innings may think all is in that screened spot;
but he is wrong The bench is hotbed of excitement
through game. The old warriors of the diamond sit
there and pass judgment every ball pitched. They
see every misplay the field and every of udg
ment They argue violently with one another and oc-
casonaly take issue with the manager. 1t reminded
me of stories had read of officers in the army, during
battle watching the seesawng of the forces and hgr-
ing on a way to attack the weak spots.
MY first experience in this line on the opening
1vA day of the We started the oldest pitcher
on the club, and the opposing team cracked hum tor
three right at the start When the players came to
the bench after that round of trouble there lively
doings. Every man was dlsgruntled and wanted to
place the blame someone else.
"What's the of arguing" remarked the night
fielder. "The old fellow" meaning our pitcher hasn't
got thing but pair of shoestrings and wish II
we don't take him out, they'll bat him all the lot
IF you'd show little more head work on the field
and not SO much the BENCH you'd be better off,
snapped the manager. "Whats the matter? Were you
in hole there and couldn't move when you got that
curve ball sign that left hander?"
Il was watching, all right, replied the telder
"Wel why didn't you on the line? Ifyou'd
watched the sign, you could have been under the ball.
and not a would have scored"
"Why, | thought but he got any further.
ayes" said the manager sarcastcally, you are one
of these | thought ball players You think when its
too late"
That is merely sample of the conversation.
Toward the latter end of the game team got in the
lead and when things had quoted down summed up
enough courage to ask the manager question
What did you mean awhile ago. asked, about the
right fielder getting the ball sign on the right
handero"
Didn't you get that playa" he asked in tone that
was Unexpectedly gentle well, you see curve ball
comes in to left handler and it is difficult for him to hit
it anywhere but right field The angle that he will
pull it into extreme right times out of ten. The
slower the ball the he will pulit. fit fast one
the outside he would probably hit it into left field
because he couldn't reach far enough to pull It.
Rl1t about the right leldero' [ asked