The Washington herald., 1915-06-07

Dull-nRHt,
little practice | should
think that any could
play baseball"
When | tried to explain that the game could be
carried to high degree of skill he listened with
J a polite show of interest. Then he shrugged his
shoulders.
| A few men of my acquaintance took rather
lcontemptuous attitude toward the excitement. For
the most part they were included among those
who in youth had never played baseball themselves
or had since become completely immersed in the
interests of maturer years. 1t seemed to me that
| they were losers.
The enthusiasm over baseball is altogether
| healthy. That many boys and men steal away
from business to 90 TO the baseball grounds is no
! reflection on baseball itself And as for the bet
ting that is encouraged, it is so slight as TO be
almost negligible. There are few sports IN the
world so free from gambling, so clean In this
regard it is far superior to football, which leaves
the way open for so much unfarness, SO much III
feeling. 1t is true that occasionally baseball
player will lose his temper and proceed to slug.
But such instances are unusual .
AS rule baseball games are carried on with
remarkable fairness. Perhaps 1t would be too
much to expect OF weak human nature under the
influence of partisan emotion always to treat with
respect so impersonal beng as the umpire When
feeling runs high between two sides 1t Is the UNI
pire who has to bear the brunt. But even here
the situation is relieved with humor. So far as
| am aware, there is case on record where an
| umpire has been seriously harmed, aithoush IN
many an instance he has had to run to cover.
There is, of course no great sportsmanship
shown in the popular interest in mere scores But
it should be remembered that this interest reflects
scientific understanding OF the game.
The crowds in the street are not merely watch
ing the figures Behind those figures they skill
at work. They using the imagination Those
howls of delight express something more than JOY
at a quick turn OF fortune. At crucial moment
some one has made fine play. What. to the in
expert bystander may seem curlously like chance
is nothing of the kind Nor is it mere physical
ability Behind the play there must be well
cd intelligence, quick thinking, resourcetuncss.
seli-control, experiences. efficiency and perhaps
most important of all, the loyal cooperation that
sustains team work.
To enjoy good ball game between two Of the
leading professional teams requires keen observa-
ton The practiccd baseball fan detects effects
missed by the unframed spectator and behind these
effects he sees shrewdness at work, seneralshp;
sometimes exceedingly clever. calling from the
other side similar ability. 1t is very suggestive to
listen to the comments OF group OF fans at a
game. They seem to vie with one another IN
critical judgment, showing concentrated attention
and insight From good game they derive both
physical exhilaration and intellectual pleasure.
If they could apply to productive work the
power they snow IN Watchlng game OF Dali tney
would become highly successful. Their time, how
ever. is not wasted. They are thinking with the
players. BY the intense OF their wits they arc
sharpening their wits. One of their greatest pleas
ures comes from detecting opportunity missed
As for the players themselves. there is no
doubt that their work tends to give them a healthy
development. 1t keeps them physically ht and
mentally alert. Unfortunately, in most cases, It
does not lead anywhere. At period in life when
they are still comparatively young they find their
careers ended. The qualities that have made them
successful ball players they are unable to turn to
other uses.
Occasionally however their force Of character
is sufficient to enable them TO repeat their success
Naturally they are often drawn into those enter
prscS associated with sport. not always wholesome
such as running a saloon or a pool room. For the
most part they are men without much education
Although the prizes OF professional baseball
playing large. they not sufficiently tempt
ing to remove social prejudice. Besides. profes-
sional player is occupied not much more than half
the year.
A baseball player OF 3S or 40 years is old: The
younger men are sure to .ush him aside with their
greater physical alertncss and endurance.
Moreover, the most successful are, in
sense, economic slaves. They may be sold by one
team to another, like chattel. Consequently they
may have to work for team they not in sym
rathy with under conditions that make it impos
sble for them to give their abilities the most
spontaneous and joyous and effective expression.
Some day. probably not far distant, the stars
among the ball players will resent this situation
IF the competition for their services goes on in
creasing they will include among their exactions
the right to dispose Of themselves they please.
There arc those who sneer at professional
baseball. They say that to its exploiters it brings
huge returns But so docs every successful form
of entertainment.
On the other hand. baseball has unquestionably
helped to develop throughout the country spirit
of fairness, love Of sport for the sake Of effei-
eney. 1t merits the enthusiasm. 1t is stimulus
to national health
The man who is interested in baseball is
better off than the man who is not He is ex-
periencing glori ious exhilaration. He is showing
an interest that brings him into vital sympathy
with his fellow citizens throughout the whole
country by a common enthusiasm.
Get the Spies.
Washington reports that President Wilson