Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-01-23
BY BILLY EVANS.

How many games are decided in
the grandstand? That is perhaps a
rather unusual question. BY it |
mean what part does the roofing Of
the fans play in the result OF many
games? Concerted roofing really nay
rows itself into battle between fans
and the pitcher. for nine times ont
OF ten the pitcher is the target for
the verbal volleys Of fandom.
Players. pitchers in particular. will
insist that they pay no attention to
what is being said to them. Players
are human, although many fans seem
to think otherwise, and there is no
getting away from the fact that the
concerted roofing OF the home fans in
the pinch has its influence On nine
out of every ten recent pitchers the
influence is very marked. That is one
reason so many OF the youngsters
blow up in their early try-outs. Vet
Grams, in spite of their years of ex-
perience, which Is supposed TO take
the sting out of the attitude of the
fans, feel keenly the effect OF adverse
criticism or complimentary applause.
Every player will admit that good
loyal cheering. when things are
breaking toughest. will spur him on
to greater efforts. Severe criticism
at such a time, unless the player has
heart of oak, will create a desire on
his part to seek the shower bath.
That is one reason why college cheer.
ing spurs on the varsity men to do
their best. Often q college team, APP
parently beaten, has taken new life
because of the encouragement given
them by the student body, and at.
tanned a glorious victory. A desire
to quit and give up the game as lost
by the fans. helps to create similar
desire in the players.
Criticism Spells Star Pitcher.
There is no doubt that some play
ers pay more attention to the attitude
of the crowd than others. 1t. would
be possible to cite dozen cases of
players who failed dismally in certain
cities and were stars in others. Why?
Simply because the attitude of the
fans toward them was" entirely differ
ent. know one pitcher who shud-
dered every time the manager. select,
ed him to start a game. The pitcher
was game enough, but for various
reasons the fans had taken a dislike
to him and the very mention of his
name stirred up a bad feeling. Often
before the pitcher would throw a
ball, hundreds of voices would be
yelling for the manager to take him
out. If he happened to pass man,
and allow hit, every one on the
ground it seemed was demanding
such action on the part of the mana
ger. AS a. result of this feeling, the
pitcher never walked to the rubber
In the proper mood or spirit. He was
simply waiting for a signal from the
bench that would finish him as per-
former for the afternoon This pitch.
teF was sold to another major league
club and has been highly successful
ever since. Instead Of being hooted
and jeered at as he steps on the field
he is usually greeted with round of
applause He thriyes on such diet
Thers are, l believe, a few pitchers
who are absolutely Indifferent to the
attitude of the crowd. They might be
classed as great money pitchers. fell
lows who appear to go at their top
speed when pressed hardest and
when most is at stake. Christy. Ma
thewson is one of the great money
pitchers. For years he has been the
mainstay of the Giants when great
deal was at stake. Chief Bender of
the Athletics is another such pitcher
Connie Mack has often said that Ben
der was the man he always called
upon in the pinch, and that the big
Indian had never failed him.
During training season several
years ago | heard a number of star
players discussing the influence the
crowd had on the average player, as
well as the attitude assumed by the
press One of the players, still a
star in the National League, conf
mented in a sensible manner on the
subject.
Ninety out of every hundred play.
ers are considerably influenced by