The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-07-23
Sport Snap Shots

That baseball is becoming more
and more scientific and that at the
same time it carries bigger cargo
of bone than twenty or twenty i've
years ago, or even ten, has been the
argument advanced by many fan
who is running the team from the
bleachers. It has been proved that
the fans are usually right in the
long run, but it should be some sat-
isfaction to them to know that they
have support from managers.
Manager Mitchell of the Cubs, one
of the closest students of the game,
is with them; Jimmy Callahan. an
other student, will agree with them;
Manager Rowland of the White Sox,
who is in a fair way of winning a
rennant, does not differ with the
rest; Manager Stallings Of the
Braves insists it is so, and there
would be no trouble to get an aft1-
davit on this point from Fielder
Jones Of the luclxless Browns.
The fault lies with both managers
and players. Corrective methods are
being applied, but at present those
most interested are far from q solu-
ton. At first blush it might seem
that the game has refrigerated, or
that less capable thinkers have
found their way into the sport.
The former theory is exploded
when the mechanical perfection OF
the pastime is taken into considera-
ton, but managers will explain that
there is something to the second.
The explanation is offered by some
that players now are not allowed to
think for themselves and consequ-
entity get no mental exercise, and
by others that stars of the major
leagues are not seasoned enough be-
fore they are shunted into the big
ring. Formerly, with only one major
league, the openings for ball players
were not as many as today.
Nowadays major league owners
get writer's cramp signing $4,000
checks for prospects. If the recruit
makes good right of the jump he
will, in nine cases out Of ten, hold
his lob by mechanical skill alone.
He expects the manager or coach to
do his thinking for him and con-
seauently he will finish his career a
purely mechanical ball player. He
never reaches the level on which the
stars OF former days were compelled
to carve out their own fortune or
drop out of the race,
Picking the leading baseball play
er in q named position is a man
sized task. To draw a comparison
between certain players is overstep-
ming the bounds Of sane criticism
at times. To say that Babe Ruth
l.or Walter johnson or Grover Alex
ander is the best pitcher In the
rane1 might be true, but 1t would
be sure to start an argument over
the merits of his rivals.
For instance, it can hardly be said
that Arthur Fletcher or Roger
Hornsby is the best shortstop in the
National league merely because 1t Is
true that they lead as hitters.
Neither can 1t be said that Maran-
Vile or Bancroft or Workman Is
best, because either is a fiashy, fast,
and accurate fielder. Each mans
worth has to be considered.
From a strictly defensive stand
point it probably is permissible to
announce Meanwhile as the premier,
with Bancroft and Workman rum
ming close behind. Everett Scott OF
the Red Sox doesn't rank with
Hornsby and Fletcher as a hitter.
but he is a better fielder than either.
However, that does not entitle him
"a Be called the best shortstop in the
game.
COMPARISONS Of the same sort may
be drawn from almost every posi-
ton. Ty Cobb, of course, stands
alone as an offensive playing OUT
fielder. AS a fielder he is not a iris
Speaker.
Chief Bender the veteran Indian
who has been regular attendant at
the Phillies' home games and who
was accused by Mgr. Fred Mitchell
81 the Cubs. with stealing signals