Norwich bulletin., 1915-04-17
STAGE FRIGHT ON
THE DIAMoND?
Pat Moran Manager of PhiIies De-
ciareS No.

Do big league ball players suffer
from stage fright? That was the
question put to Pat Moran, manager
of the Phillies, as he sat in the. lobby
of a Southern hotel tanning one even
ing.
cut in salary-that will create more
nervousness and anxiety in ball
player than dozen worlds series
crowds damned into one park" This
was Morans quick response; of
course, it came 'off the tip of the
tongue" and did not represent Pats
deeper thoughts in regard to stage
fright in the progress of champion
ship baseball battle.
What the fans always have been
anxious to know is just how player
is affected by the high spots in
run through the brain of Jack Barry
when he comes to bat with men on
third and second and is flashed the
sign to bunt for the squeeze" Do
Dode Paskert's knees wobble a bit
when three men are on base and Zim-
norman hits a terrific drive which
will be home run if it is not caught?
Surely no man is better fitted to dis
cusS this phase of the national pas
time than Moran, who has played in
worlds series and exceptional Nation
al league games with the Chicago
Cubs.
The First Appearance
From what I have experienced in
worlds series games, from what l
have heard others say in regard to
general complications in important
struggles and from what 1 am able to
recollect of my early playing in pro-
fessional baseball, l think all players
will agree with me that the first APP
pearance before a big crowd, even
back in the minors, causes stage
rights" continued Moran after he
had turned the question over in his
mind for a moment. This nervous
ness, however, is virtually unknown to
players in worlds championship games.
Most every man playing the game
will sit at times and look back over
the days when his mind was filled
with thoughts of his uniform possibly
not fitting artitically- somewhat after
the fashion of the fellow who worries
about his necktie when he makes his
first call on a girl.
Then I believe that, when he plays
his first game as a minor Lacquer, and
later when he makes his big league
debut, the thoughts of what his fell
lowtownsmen will have to say about
his performance, whether good, bad or
Indifferent, will be constantly running
through the mind of the player. Yes,
] will even say that the over anxiety
to make a good impression will cause
will sort of feel as though his heart
was trying to jump out from his
throat.
But regarding worlds series
crowds, I am sure the average player
is not frightened; on the other hand,
he is inspired. He has worn off the
rough edges by one or more years of
hard games in the big league, and
he'll be so busy saying to himself, I've
got to make good that he'll invariably
play better ball than in an ordinary
match. In the course of a worlds Sc
ries combat, the players mind, is so
concentrated on the instructions of his
leader that all thoughts of the throng
in the stands are shut out of his think
tank. OF course, about all the players
are ON edge when they first enter a
big game, but if that be stage fright,
it is caused by the fear that they will
not perform in accordance with what
has been planned by the directors on
the bench"
Manager Moran voiced the opinion
that all players who promised to be-
come grea-h had been ruined at the
start of their careers by the abuse of
other members Of the team. 1t fire.
quently is the fear of what is going
to be said on the bench that causes
a tinid feeling in the mind of a young
plaEer-call it stage fright if you will.
There is nothing that will make a
young players nerves ragged quicker
than abuse from his manager or fell
low-players,'' Pat said. Criticism
of the right sort is all right. But a
high-strung kid can't stand abuse
when he is doing the best he can. A
pat on the back may settle his nerves
and he will regain his confidence. A
kick will upset his brain and his hands
and feet will refuse to do his bidding
That is genuine stage fright-nervous-
ness
Ball players. are unanimous in the
opinion that in a worlds series veter-
ans suffer more from stage fright than
youngsters. The experienced man,
however, will have a way of conceal
ing his fear and lack of confidence
On the other hand, the kid is likely to
uneasinesS. When a veteran pitcher
enters an important game. he realizes
what a big job is before him and what