The Washington times., 1913-07-21
HARPER EXPLAINS
SUNDAY |DLENESS
Griff's New Left-Hander Tells
Why He Does Not Play Ball
on Sabbath.
By SENATOR"

CHICAGO, July 2l.-Harry Clayton
Harper, southpaw twirler from Hacken.
sack. N. J., does not play ball on Sun
day. Therefore, he sat in the press bo,
yesterday and witnessed the great vic
tory of Dixie Joe Boehling, rejoicing ir
the success of his roomie. While sit
ting there he explained his reasons fol
not playing ball on Sunday. and It is q
perfectly good reason. too. 1t also in
dicates what kind of lads get into oul
national pastime.
You know I'm only a kid to my
mother" said Harper to the writer
When l came away to join the Wash
ington - club 1 had to explain to my
mother that ball players were quite like
other people, not like actors are sup
posed to be. She thinks, you know, that
ball players are more or less tough.
know they are not. but she doesn'
know 1t. She didn't want me to play
ball at all at first, but / finally got her
consent.
But you must promise me. Harry,
said she, that you will not play ball on
Sunday. I don't want you to play ball
at all. IL you have to play 1t on Sunday.
That's not the day for baseball; there
are better things to be done on that day
than playing ball
well, you know this may be foolish
idea and all that but il is my mother,
and as she Is all l have left in the
world, l mean to stick by my promise
! thought Manager Griffith would laugh
at me when l put II up to him. but he
didn't He took 1t seriously, telling
me to loaf every Sunday. Perhaps next
year / may get my mothers consent to
play on Sunday. but now l have prom
ised her for this season, and I'm going
through with it
That's why Harper sat beside the
writer yesterday. That's the kind Of
lad to break into baseball. That's the
kind Of a lad Manager Griffith likes TO
have on his team, too, II may be added
In all truth.
Showing their regard for their chum,
a number Of Eddie Fosters friends
presented him with a large bouquet OF
American Beauty roses yesterday on his
first appearance at bat. He smiled and
bowed, but refused TO show his bald
cranium by removing his cap. Then he
did what most players do under such
Circumstances-poked up puny lly to
the outfield.
Bathing in Lake Michigan is the style
among the Climbers now. They are liv-
Ing at the Chicago Beach Hotel on this
trip, and Old Fox Clark Griffith has
his hands full keeping his athletes out
OF the water. He is willing for them TO
take a plunge in the evening, but that ;
all No bathing before a game. No
lounging around In the sun on the sand.
He believes that has tendency to
weaken an athlete. and MiQue Martin,
safe and sane trainer, backs him up IN
this idea. But the boys all went In
last night, cold as II was. They didn't
stay long. but they had fine time
while they were there.
Larry Chappell, the $4,000 outfielder,
Didn't splash the water very high. He
got one fine hit. a single. His double
was slightly OF the fuke order-the
wind carried II out of Moeller's reach
almost across the line into foul ground.
In the field he had little to do, but he
failed to stop Moeller's fly in the wind,
letting It get away for home run. The
youngster bats from the wrong side OF
the dish, but throws right-handed. He
looks to have received too much boost
ing, and may have trouble living up to
II when the pitchers have had chance
10 size him up.
Chick Gandirs single almost tore
Harry Lords hand on. The ball was
just over Lords head, and he put up
his hands to stop II. Why, say, II didn't
even hesitate on its mad career into
hot drive to handle. Morgan slamming
through the third baseman's tummf
10 that bah. retiring the side.
A tr.al-l D