New-York tribune., 1915-03-14

knows he is in town. In the third
place. q scout must have vide circle
OF friends in the territory he is called
upon TO cover, for these friends can
tip him oT to promising looking play
crs and can tell him when a player has
been overrated Furthermore. he must
keep posted on the minor league rec
ords Of the players
In regard to the Importance of keep
ing his presence secret, can cite, with
cut using names, an instance that bears
out what ! mean. A certain scout Of
big league club was sent into the
bushes 10 look owe. certain player
who had been tipped Off to the man
ager. His presence in the bush league
city was herslded broadcast. lie stayed
there for almost week, but never got
a chance to see the player in action.
The player was purposely kept out of
the lineup on the pretence Of illness.
The scout returned to the big league
club and made his report, but the play
er had been so highly recommended
that he was purchased for a big price.
The player was a fash in the pan. The
minor league club knew that if the
scout got a look at him the scout
would probably realize that the player
was playing beyond his normal speed
and pass him up.
In other ways the known presence
Of q scout works hardship. Players
who feel that they are under observa-
tion are likely to try to play faster
than their real speed. AS result,
they fail utterly and miss the oppor-
tunity TO advance.
In my estimation, the Pittsburgh
tC he hag fo1 in Of
any club in major league baseball. In
Billy Murray, Howard Earl and Chick
Fraser, Barney Dreyfuss has sur
rounded himself with trio of master
judges Of baseball material. Besides,
Barney is conceded TO be master hand
at judging ball players, and frequently
he looks over prospects himself.
Furthermore, Dreyfuss's idea of en-
ploying his scouts for a term of years
is an excellent one. 1t gives his scouts
an opportunity 10 become thoroughly
acquainted with the territory in which
they work, TO make many friends and
10 fsmiliarize themselves with the
leagues in that territory.
Some scouts are not restricted by
any instructions from headquarters.
They are told to go out and get sll the
promising ball players they can,
whether the players are pitchers, catch
els, inhelders or outiielGers. This sys-
tenn does not always work we'll Many
scouts are oldtme ball players. They
may have beer good hi.ters in their
day. When they are looking for play
ers they look for hitting ability. and
frequently overlook the other requ-
sites OF good player. and vice versa.
One OF the greatest scouts of all
time was George Huff, of the old Cubs.
He was a wizard at picking them out,
and seldom made a mistake. He ad-
vised the Chicago club to procure such
we'll known stars a. Frank Schultz,
Carl Lundgren, Jack Pfester, Ed Reul-
bach, Artie Hoffman, Hans Lobert.
Davy Jones and "Chick" Safer, among
others.
The scout IS the man who digs up
the player. Tn manager is the man
who perfects his play. Briefly, that is
the story Of tam building.
lCopyrsr. 1918. b. the Wheeler Syndicate. In,J
In nsIt Sunday, Tribune 0r. Eyers will sIieuu
an extremely Timely tople. Tn. Value Of Sprlna
rrslnins 10 the Club Owner n we'll a. 10 the Play.
e." In this ne Will shs~ hes the club owner I.
r.psid Tor the tHpens sf ssndlns his players South
10 prspsre for the ehimplsnshls season. This cues
svshb answered. Hs will relate many Inele.nts.
humorous snd serisu, In eeaheetisn Slth sprins
trainlns and eI,lsia hs~ the players % about
ssttIns late esndlusn.