Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-04
BASEBALL PLAYERS
 MAY GIVE UP LIQUOR.
Fraernity Expects to Pass a Dry
 Rule.

One of the most important steps for the betterment of conditions among baseball players may be taken before next season by the Baseball Players Fraternity. The fraternity expects to pass rule placing all the ball players high and dry upon the water wagon.
 Traced to Night Before.
 The moving spirit in this innovation is Ed Reulbach, secretary of the fra ternity. MT. Reulbach doesn't wish to take a high and mighty attitude on the temperance question, nor does he want any titte like 'iHit- Trail, placed before his name. What he has done, however, is a lot of missionary work among the ball players in the cause of the white ribbon.
 Secretary .Reulbach had three years of study In the medical school of the University of Chicago and knows whereof he speaks when he talks about the i'll effects of drinking on ball players. Many muffed fly in a championship game and many booted grounder or a little stupidity on the bases may be traced to what the ball player was doing the night before.
 MT. Reulbach has interviewed many of the members of the fraternity and the majority of them are in favor of the action which he has suggested. Most baseball players are in such good physical condition at all times that NAACy Ccll Sbd140 icll6 llOuIS tllU I1lOT6 UT less brew. However, MT. Reulbach has pointed out to many of the delinquent players that it consumes much time, energy and great deal of money. It lessens the players efficiency and takes many years off his playing career.
 The ball players, says Secretary ReuEbach. took a sensible attitude on this question when ] approached them. They realized that it would be we'll for themselves and great thing for base ball if they retire earlier and omit beer drinking. Of late year there has been a decided change in the behavior of the ball player. Years ago it was taken for granted that he spent his money like sailor and cared little about his physical welfare.
 Decided Change in Discipline.
 There is a decided change in the discipline of the sensible player today. He is book reader, a sightseer, goes to bed early and doesn't play poker far into the night as he did years ago. This thing has come on gradually. On the spring training trips in the south nowadays one will find ironclad rules against card playing and cigarette smoking. Branch Hickey, the former coach and now manager of the St. Louis Browns, took a decided stand on the question two seasons ago and the scheme worked out well for the better ment of the members of his club.
 The question of beer drinking, how ever, Is a singular subject to take up with the players. The influence of the many temperate players has brought many of the more careless performers into line, and would not be surprised if at the next meeting of the fraternity rule was passed either suggesting temperance or prohibiting drinking among the players entirely.
 We have seen many stars of the diamond who had short careers be- cause of incorporate habits. The high salaried ball player of long ago spent his money freely. It is different now. He invests 1t profitably. The standard and the personnel is getting higher each season, and the fraternity is now in a position to take a decided stand on question of such great moment to the players welfare.
 While some of the best men in the game may object to total abstinence, they are nevertheless in favor Of pass ing rule curtailing the use of beer or ale except with meals. This plan works out well with the college ath- letes, the football players, for instance, who are permitted to have a bottle of ale with their dinner. With the ball player it is the drinking at night and the long sessions about the 5ovial board that works against his best in terests.
 After a ball game" continued Sec retary Reulbach, 'the ball player rus1es to the clubhouse. jumps into the shower bath, hustIes through his dinner and. in the hurry and hustle. pays too little attention to his physical welfare. A cold glass of beer after a game, when the player is still heated from his energy on the. hall field, is a bad thing for his health, and today he is coming to realize this.
 Indigestion and low spirit invaria- l,I &l,<. bell ,nI~, habits. At best the players career is short. Conserved energy is the only thing, the player now realizes, which will prolong his diamond career. Tenn perance among the players will add fieIdn ~ -