Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-17

players in the bush leagues, to the scouts
who had watched them during the sea-
son, to the managers who had perused
their phenomenal records with much slee
and lastly to the club owners who paid
fancy prices, believing they had picked up
stars.
Now is the time of the year that the
fans are RECALLED with stories relative to
the wonderful form that is being shown
by the recruits of the various major
league teams If the fan could but be-
lieve all that he reads about the work of
the new players. 1t would be a cinch for
him to bet his bank roll that his favorite
club would win the pennant in walk.
But, unfortunately. many Of the flowers
that bloom in the spring fade under the
heat Of the summer. Many Of the choice
players soon develop into the worst kind
of dollhouse plants.
It is not to be wondered that SO many
glittering tales area told in the spring
about the prospects OF the young players.
Rounding into form much more quickly
than the veterans, they show to alvan-
their flashy work. Tho veteran. as rule.
is not worried about his job, while the
youngster realizes he must make an i'm
preston on his manager II he is to re-
tain his hold in fast company. Naturally,
because of this, the new player is stirred
to greater effort. He shows his best
front at all times, while the veteran Is
content to take things slowly, depending
on his class to assert itself at the proper
| time. the opening OF the season.
1t Is often a very difficult matter to I'M
derstand why some young players fail to
show in fast company. On the spring
training trip and in the practice games
recruits often display form that is up to
-, L. ~
every reason to believe they possess the
class to win regular job in fast COM
pany. Scouts. critics, players and man
ager are certain that the young man will
do-provided he has the confidence in
himself when playing in the regular
games.
/ have often heard managers of various
teams discussing the prospects of certain
players with the club owner. Quite often
the owner becomes enthusiastic over a
practice and exhibition games. The
manager, always cautious, will reply,
nine times out of ten, that the young
| fellow looks to have everything, but he
doesn't care to pass judgment on him
| until he sees If he can go the route. In
other words. the manager wants to see
how the young fellow will act when put
to the test. He wants to determine
| whether he has confidence In his ability.
Whether he will do his best when things
falter when hard pressed.
There are in the minors today any
| number OF players who possess far more
ability than players who are classed as
major league stars. 1t is almost impos-
sible to understand why some of these
players can't make go Of 1t In the
majors. Some players have come to the
big show from the bushes a half dozen
times, only to be returned with thanks
each time. Scouts who scour the country
for base ball material annually report
that such and such player Is easily the
class of the league. Very often that
player is the chap who has been
tried repeatedly and failed to de-
liver. Another trial is urged and
given, but usually with the same result
failure. Very often players from the
same league. who do not look half SO
good. are given a trial, and early demon
strate their right to remain in fast COM
pany.
Natural ability is wonderful asset, but
very often players who show big league