Evening journal., 1915-05-19
Movies CUT Cate
MONEY At BALLPARKS
Ready Coin Being Diverted
By Them From Dia-
mond Games
WRANGLING ALSO
HURTS THE GAME

Have the movies" done baseball
more harm than good? Considerable
has been heard about the quantity of
coin that has been directed from the
Golfers Of baseball clubs by the pic
lures since they attained their vogue.
No one has raised a voice in favor Of
the jitney theatre-at least no one
connected with baseball That is be-
cause the photoplays have injured
baseballs gate and have improved the
morals of the players, and the aver
age baseball promoter cares lot
more about his receipts than he does
about his athletes.
II is true some of the gate receipts
formerly accruing TO promoters of the
national pastime have found their
way into the pockets of the proprie-
tors OF movie houses and will con-
tinue to do so. That is not altogether
the fault of the picture houses Part
of IL is due to the better entertain
ment that has been provided for the
average amusement seeker.
The sport of baseball has declined
as tho movie has improved and many
a man with an afternoon of leisure.
found nearer what he wanted in the
picture shows than at the ball parks
without the necessity of going so far.
to get il. Curtailment of the 25-cent
seats-in some cities the practical
abolition Of quarter admissions-also
has operated TO drive people of limit
ed means from the bleachers into the
little playhouses.
\
stretching ball games out with stall
ing and wrangling and many periods
OF inactivity also have diverted money
from the baseball gate. Many a man
who has a certain amount of time to
loaf" would spend it at a ball game
II he we're certain he could see the
finish and get home In time for din
ner. He knows he can quit a movie
at the end of any reel and catch his
train or car home In time to avoid
domestic coolness. And there never
are any postponements Of photoplays
because Of bad weather or small
houses.
But the debt is not all one-slded.
In return for what II has taken out
OF the promoters pockets the movie
has given baseball considerable II
has made the task Of managing a ball
team easier. for one thing There is
no more persistent movie fan than
the average diamond athlete Instead
OF wondering where his wandering
boys are any night. particularly on
the road, the manager now knows
with a fair degree of certainty that
most Of them are out watching the
film plays. He can be certain they
~ Af Ia.
harm or break up the team. He does
not worry much for fear they will
not be in bed at the prescribed hour
Playing schedules are arranged so
that ball teams usually arrive i'm the
morning in town where they are to
play. As soon as breakfast Is eaten
and baggage located. II Is the practice
Tor scouting party TO look up the
movies and report TO the main squad
what films are advertised and there
always are members of each club who
arc Sharks" on films and can pick the
good ones, either from previous
knowledge or by instinct. Their
Judgment is made known to the rest
Of the players.
The afternoons are taken up with
the ball games unless il rains. but as
soon as dinner Is finished the players
start out in groups OF from two 10 ten
and make the rounds of the best pic
ture plays. sometimes visiting three
OF four of them in an evening il they
strike an uninteresting one. BY that
time II is bedtime and the athletes re-
turn to their hotel.
The picture plays also have done
much to advertise baseball. for these
theatres have featured many films
dealing with the diamond and with
heroes of the national pastime. Al
together It is not so certain that base
ball does not owe the movies a vote
OF thanks instead of a cussing.