Evening star., 1914-03-01
WEDDING OUT OF RECRUITS
TASK FEW LEADERS RELISH
The Case of Pitcher Russell, Who Was Such a Big
Success Last Year, Is Good Example OF What
Every Manager Is Up Against in the Spring

Tor felt sure ne Woo1o De cdoSnt. al
some way Tyrus managed to- avoid being
Quickly getting to his feet he yelled:
What do you call that movement,
Billy" -
'sWhat would you call it, asked.
"a balk if I ever saw one responded
Ty.
Big Pitcher Improved Rapidly.
Well, that is just what it was,"- an
swered. but since you could move no
farther than second on a baiil no harm is
done" I always like young pitchers to
get every chance possible to succeed.
Very often it is possible for an umpire to
worry a .youngster by constantly object
ing to the various ways he is doing
things. Often no objection would be
raised if the umpire didn't make it a
point to start the dispute. l always get
better results and make my work easier
by pointing out what 1 believe are mis-
takes, and warning him to guard against
a repetition. II the, pitcher has any
brains he will remedy the fault at once.
Walking down to the pitchers box, I
asked Russell where he had gathered to-
gether such a move to first. 1t was such
a crude balk that it didn't seem as II
blind man could have allowed him to get
away with it. Russell smiled at me and
replied:
"That move is my own invention.
used it for two years down in southeast
ern Texas, and not an umpire said a word
to me. I thought it would be just the
thing to fool the boys up here
well. if I was you. Russell, | would
never apply for patent on that in,
iclr tn nd
express it back to some Of the boys in
Texas"
ut doesn't look good to YOU then:"
Said Russell.
"It looks all right" I answered, but
you are going to have all the umpires
in the league hoarse from calling balks
If you persist in using it..
This big league stuff is all new to
me-" frankly replied Russell. now II
you umpires will just tolerate me for
about three weeks. and be as blind to
some of the things ! do as the boys
down in Texas were, I'll be a very easy
man to handle.
Star Players Much Desired.
No umpire could but respect a fellow
who talked in that style. Many trivial
fault of the big fellow was overlooked.
Inside of month Russell had proven
true to his word. He had learned a
movement to first that was absolutely
correct yet was good enough to hold
the runner fairly close At fielding bunts
he was mighty proficient Other details
of the finer points of pitching he picked
UP with remarkable rap1dity from the
veteran members of the Chicago stan.
Today Russell IL an ideal pitcher for an
umpire to work behind. For a left hand
er his control is truly wonderful. He
is seldom in the hole. and better yet
seldom makes protest against the rul-
ings Of the judges of play. Russell Is
an example Of what a big league man
ager is up against in the spring. Not
conceded a chance to stick when he re-
ported for the training trip. he was the
sensation Of the league from the stand
point OF the recruits. What a loss It
would have been to the Chicago club II
he had been allowed to got away, and
came through for some other club In the
manner he did for the White Sox.
So many things must be taken into
consideration when looking over the re-
cruits. that the selection narrows itself
down into pretty much OF gamble
Habits, style, temperament and ability
are lust a few Of the things that take
up the managers attention. Every win
ter much dope Is written about the
promising material on hand, yet each
spring much Of the promising material
IN tossed into the diseafd. Thousands OF
dollars are, spent and wasted on players
who really psver have a. chance. NO
wonder the club owner and manager are
unearths a couple Of youngsters from
the bunch who appear to be stars.
tCopyrirht 1914, by ". G. Evaus>