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

hero could hope to conquer with bunch
of cutters and boneheads to carry out his
orders. No base ball leader. however wise
he may be, can win remnants with medi-
OGRE lot of ball players. The strategy OF
the leaders in base ball plays big part.
but 1t IL impossible to make strategtsts
out of men who cannot think quickly.
The managerial role looks rather soft
from a seat in the grandstand. During
the game you scan the bench. and 1t
looks to you as IL all the manager had to
do was enjoy the game. The part, how
ever. has none of the easy features as
seen by the fan. To manage ball team
in these modern days. amateur. minor or
big league Is far from being a snap.
There are a thousand and one little things
that must be DONE that the average fan
never connects with the managers duties.
There is no rest for him. Just as soon as
one engagement is decided he starts PLAN
ming for the following battle. The man.
ager gets credit for some things. but
blamed for everything.
1t Is indeed a fine art to know when
pitcher has about gone his limit. A
change that results in victory causes
the manager to draw much praise Tor his
wisdom A shift that results disastrously
brings down much abuse on the head OF
the leader, even though the move was as
proper as the one that caused him to be
regarded as q brainy leader. 1t is also a
nice thing to know just the opportune mo-
Inent to send In your star pinch hitter III
he delivers you are all right, but If he
fails, and the man who takes the place
of the player deposed gets his bumps
then you are assailed for your lack Of
Judgment.
Picking the spots for his pitching staff
is one department in which a manager
can display much strategy. Often You
see a pitcher work two or three hut
game and lose 1 to o. Perhaps the FOL
lowing day the team that lost will pile
up seven runs. but lose . to because OF
poor pitching. You think to yourself how
easy it would have been to have won had
the pitcher who allowed only three hits
the previous day been working. The gen.
erals Of the diamond all have different
systems of endeavoring to get the best
results out Of their pitching stans. None,
/ believe hao a more unique or better sys-
fem than Connie Mack, the foxy leader
of the Athletics.
Does Not Work Pitchers in Turn.
There are many managers who believe
the only proper way to get the best re-
suits out of the twirlers is to work them
in turn. Connie Mack can't see such
system with Lick telescope. He be-
lieyes in working the men where he
thinks they have the best chance to win.
regardless of their turn. Consequently
Mack is the hardest man in the world
10 dope out when you try to figure on his
pitching selection. Time after time he
shifts at the very last moment 10 some
Iwirler whom he had not even considered
when the teams went on the field to prac-
1ice. Mack keeps close tab on the success
pitchers have against certain clubs He
always knows the record of this or that
pitcher against a certain club for a cou-
L. n Dr~S1
for the present season. l once heard a
pitcher walk up to the bench and say to
Mack: n feel fine today, Connie. and
would like to work. l believe can beat
these fellows" To which Mack slowly
replied: I've been thinking that way for
the last two years, but you have yet to
show me you have anything on this club.
] guess I'll let Chief work today: he al
ways seems able to beat these fellows.
That settled IL.
When Philadelphia starts a western trip
at Cleveland Cy Morgan Is almost certain
tn open the engagement. He will also
appear against the Maps on the last day
OF the series whether 1t be three or
four day engagement. During the Detroit
stay, which is usually the next jump,
Morgan Is sent to the barn for rest.
Krause. Plank and Coombs generally do
the honors at Detroit, with Bender doing
the heaving every now and then. Al
though one of the greatest twirlers the
game has ever known. Chief has always
been rather unlucky against the Tigers,
and Mack never tempts fate. In ST
Louis Plank Morgan and Bender do most
of the heaving. Coombs finds St. Louis q
tough club to beat and does not WORK
there as a rule, unless Connie is shy on
twirlers. In Chicago COonsbs. Bender and
Plank. as rule. shoulder the burden
with one of the trio appearing twice
Mack never for minute thinks of the
pitchers turn. He sends them to the rub
Der when he believes they will show tt
best advantage. Often a pitcher viii
work twice in three days and then have
week pass before he Is again asked te
perform.
Jack Barry Pulls or Clever Trick
Strategic moves at crucial moments
often save games that otherwise would
go into the discard. Outlines the fans
have no idea OF the little byplay that
has happened on the diamond I saw
Jack Barry turn little trick that Went
unnoticed last year. which saved game
for the Athletics. II was the first OF