The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-04-19
On and Off Big League Diamonds

The veteran who abused recruit on
tie field under modern conditions prob
ably would ind some Of the other regu-
lars mighty willing to take the kids"
part A ball club Ia more like Q biz
family than anything elese. We have
IKE brothers do. but when II comes to
real pinch We hang together and try
TO help one another.
What hazing there 10 usually takes q
very mild form. such a. the pulling Of
one OF those time-honored badger
nght:," or the equally classic 'snipe
hunt" You would think that there
| wouldn't be anybody left In tie world
VINO isn't wise to the badger fight by
this time. but every now and then you
strike some fellow who will fan for II.
The last two fights" that I remember
having been pulled on our club were at
course. that tickied the PLAYERS. for Ne
are used to being told things by the
press boys that now and then We uks
to learn that they are human Ike the
rest Of US. and don't know absolutely
everything.
Whatever tie style Of hasing decided
upon. 1t 10 quite natural for the hassrs
to expect that the recruit VIII come on
second best" But couple OF seasons
ago . big recruit pitcher turned ths
tables on part Of would-be hazsrs
while his club was in the South.
The nrst year this fellow joined the
club they worked the badger nght'' ON
him. and worked II 30 well that some Of
the PLAYERS didn't stop laughing for .
month. He stuck all season and pitched
good ball, but he didn't learn much
about the ways Of tie world. and re-
ported In the following spring Just q
gangiing and gawky az ever. the very
picture OF a comic supplement "rube'
Wen. the boys got together and de-
have some more fun with anything %
verdant. % they banned . .imipe hunt"
This 10 one Of the Oldest pranks In tie
world. reckon. The victim 70 told
that certain place invariably long
cold and swampy. IL much infested with
snipe. Then the method Of taking
these birds - explained. namely, that
one man holds bag with . Lantern
IA the mouth Of IL while the rest beat
scare them in toward the light. They
are supposed to become bewildered -
the rays Of the lantern and wax right
into the bag, which the holder imnf4-
stately closes. imprisoning large mum
the honor Of holding the bag, and, Of
course. as soon a. he takes his stand
in the swamp. the others hike on
home and roll on tho ground In giee.
This lanky pitchers eyes fairly struck
hunt" that the boys were getting up.
He drank In the details Ike thirsty
man at well and asked all sorts OF
tdiotic questions. II seemed almost too
good to be true that there should be
such q made-to-order victim In the
After q long discussion a. to who
should hold the bag. somebody proposed
Jones'. which isn't the pitchers name,
but which win answer just a. we'll
That guy hasn't sense enough. =
takes . wise fellow to do this job
protested one Of the piotterk
Jones 10 my pal and anybody vEo
says he hasn't brains enough to, hold
that sack IL likely 70 get into row."
broke in another hotly.
Wei. what I said stu goes. and it
II up" yelled the drst speaker, as
Stunning threatening attitude.
I'm punch you in the nose" came
back No. 2. and In . minute they had
their coats Oh and were rolling around
on the floor. OF course, this was al
part Of the frame-up to impress the
sucker" and the other players stepped
in and stopped the light"
Well. they finally setIied IL that Jones
was good enough to have the place OF
honor with the bag and lantern, and on
q rainy, chilly night about half dosen
Of the squad set out for the swamp
Jones took his station according to the
and the others started on.
promising to beat up enough snIpe to-
ill the bag twice full. The minute they
got out CT sight they all started back
for tie automobile whiSh had brought
away. - they went they held their
sides ".th laughter, thinking Of poor
Did Jonesey" standing there IN the rain
waiting for snips that would't appear.
got back to the rendezvous, nor could
they find q trace Of II anywhere, though
they whooped and yelled until their
.hroats were sore. So the whole partg,
It Jones' stupidity. trudged that long
i've miles back to the hotel through mud
md rain.
They found q merry party awaiting
hem in the lobby. Jones. with . larse
iase Was the Center oo of ~ sroup thss
eemed TO be very much amused over
Wei. you didn't seem to have much
uck with the snipes this evening"" said
lppear Il had an idea myself Il
yasn to be q good night for
hem rintSs back to the machine
nd Il a tie darby driver with
'un III Sranked up ana drove me
ZONE. YOU enjoyed your walk.
lou sec. sskrighted that snipe-hunt-
ng stunt eral years ago. and have
een improving on 1t ever since. Have
cigar? ! bought q box as I came In
md told the clerk that you fellows 4
would pay him for II In tho morning
.fter you finished laughing at the best
oke Of the season. / a'so told the
.otel tailor that there probably would
70 a lot ~ cleaning and pressing Jobs
or hi the near future"