The Washington times., 1914-01-25

he would not do himself any good by
starting anything.
Z regret tue entire incident, because 1t
is the Only real trouble / ever had with
fan while Cn the ball field.
But the fans, as class, are very
with them. You used to hear some ball
players complaining whenever there
was an overflow crowd on the field be-
cause they said extra spectators inter-
fered with their work. 1 have always
liked to have them frfnged around the
outfiel1.
OF course, they are after the players
constantly, and can do 1t more con-
yenientIy at the easier range. but this
verbal stuff has never bothered me
much. They can not distract my atten-
ton from the game because l do not
answer them back, as a rule. If you
show the crowd on the field you are not
afraid of them, they won't upset or an
nov YOU, and IL some fellow does get
your goat you have chance TO vent
your spleen without yelling into the
stand.
Can Take Chances.
But the real reason why l like to
have the crowd around the edge of the
field is because you can afford to take
more chances on a fly ball. If there is
one going over your head, you can jump
for it and be sure of soft place to
land. Perhaps some readers might
think this diving into the crowd dan
gerous, but / have never found it so.
The individuals are cOnsiderate. 1t IS
only the gang spirit that makes It risky
work I have jumped into the crowd
for many a fly ball and never peceived
any bad treatment from it. As a rule,
the fans will help even a visiting player
up and pat him on the back IL he has
made a good play on the ball, saying:
Good work, old man." or il he has
missed the ball: Nice try, old boy"
All you need do Is to convince them you
are not afraid. You would be surprised
at the fairness of individuals in crowd
on the field.
Another phenomenon that 1 have dis
covered in my experience with baseball
crowds is that the loudest and most
abusive bugs" are the mildest and
auietest off the field. Ball players, after
they have been in a league awhile, un-
consciously make a study of crowds
and their habits. Generally, you will
find that the fan who is always rid
ing'' a player is a waiter or a beilhop
Or an elevator boy or some sort of serv-
ant who has no chance TO assert him
self except when he goes to ball game.
Idont mind having this sort yelling at
me. and. as L have said, some OF the
best plays 1 ever made have been with
the crowd fringing the field in critical
games. 1t all adds to the tenseness Of
the atmosphere, which is most desir-
able. II / ever get into a worlds series |
gain, would like to have the playing |
field entirely surround q ~ a bunch of |
eXcttable, wild nuts" l am afraid |
this won't be the case Srause there is |
a rule of the National Commission now |
that no spectators are to be permitted |
on the diamond during the big series |
games.
Few fans know that the Athletics |!
were mobbed in New York after one of
the games in the last worlds series. It !
did not occur at the ball park, but in
Seventh avenue as their string of taxi
cabs was going from the Polo Grounds
to the hotel. The team dressed at the
hotel and went to and from the park in
taxicabs, taking the Seventh avenue
route until the incident / have in mind
occurred. Eddie" Collins told me
about II.
Bottle Breaks Window.
'Strunkie' and Eddie Murphy and .
I were riding down Seventh avenue af-
ter the second game in New York when
a bottle broke the window of the cab
and showered glass all over us. The
residents were evidently sore at our
victory. Murphy was cut behind the /