Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-14
College Baseball Expected to Ex-
coed All Marks==Rowing Regattas
Sigma Delta Psi Pleases Athletes

New York, April 11.--During the next
three months the college baseball
player will hold a prominent position
in the spring sporting program. His
record will be followed closely by uni
versity alumni and with even closer
scrutiny by the professional scout, for
major league club managers are fully
aware that occasionally a star may
be plucked from the varsity diamond.
Players of the calibre of Eddie Collins
and Christy Mathewson are found but
infreauently. There always exists,
however. the possibility of securing
players who. if not capable of major
league speed at the outset of their pro-
fessional careers. can quickly be
coached and trained to the point where
they are a decided acquisition to a
big circuit club.
Under professional coaching the
standard of play in college baseball
has risen rapidly during the past few
years. Veteran big leaguers have aid
ed the natural player by advice and
instruction. Little hints on how to
bat; take the ball fer a quick throw
and other points of technique in the
game quickly bring players with nat
ural qualifications within the range or
major league possibilities. All those
connected with the professional game
today realize that the college baseball
team offers one of the best recruiting
grounds at the disposal of the Dig
league magnates. Billy Evans, the
American League umpire, a college
graduate and close observer OF every
angle of baseball, said recently in dis
cussing this phase Of the game.
"The college ball player has become
a big factor in the major leagues. Ten
years ago a collegian was rarity IN
big league lineup. A few years ago
major league scouts, in search OF
promising material, gave the college
games very little consideration. AT
big game last summer between two
strong college teams, exactly twelve
major league scouts were in attend
ance. Quite testimonial to the value
placed on the college player. by the
men whose duty it is to pick up fu-
ture big league stars.
Il, Connie Mack is the pioneer in the
exploiting of the college player. The
resourceful leader of the World
Champions saw the worth of the col
lege player, long before any other ma
Tor league manager looked on the
varsity athlete seriously. l once
asked Mack why he was always SO
anxious to look over the promising col
lege players. His reply was brief, but
characteristic of the famous leader OF
the Athletics. I like players who can
think. Four years of study certainly
ought to improve a fellows intelli-
gence. If it hasn't, it doesn't take me
very long to discover the fact. Another
reason why l favor the collegian, is
because he comes to me free from
any other style Of play. 1t is much
easier to get players accustomed 10
your way of thinking, who have new
er been drilled in any other system
Another point in favor of the collegi-
an is that he knows pretty well the
best rules for keeping in condition. l
have no use for players who fail to
keep in shape. He also has been
taught the real value of discipline by
his professor in the class room and his
coach on the ball field.