Evening star., 1918-02-10
WORK IS EASY FOR UMPIRES
WITH STAR PITCHERS IN BOX
Great Moundsmen Never Become Ruffled
and Always Are Willing to Abide by
the Arbitrator's Decisions.

to pitcher: i means as much TO him
as ability. If Joe Bush had the dispose
tion of Walter Johnson or Grover Alex
ander, he would be an equally great
pitcher. mistake of the umpire
means nothing in the life of Johnson or
Alexander. 1t may upset Bush. An
error or two on the part of the inf1eid
doesn't fuss Alexander or Johnson. 1t
simply makes them pitch all the harder.
Such mistakes make Joe a bit peevish.
No one realizes the fact more than Joe.
have talked il over with him several
times. and he admits his system is all
wrong. In his great desire to win
Bush is inclined to forget himself and
fuss over some incident that would he
much better if entirely forgotten.
Bush has speed equal to that of john
son or Alexander. He has a fine curve
and an excellent change of pace. Bush
is fast on his feet, good hitter and a
better batsman than most pitchers. He
ought to be talked about as much as
Johnson or Alexander. All he needs to
attain such prominence is to take
things as they come. II can't always
be sunshine. There must be q lot of
gloom in everything. Often before
Bush starts to pitch. ] say:
today?"
Never felt better in my life. Bill"
he has often replied. Tin not going
to say a word If you miss them all"
In many cases Joe has done as he
be ball after ball that might be called
either way. Occasionally Joe would
break over his good intentions and his
pitching would always suffer. Per-
the thing Bush needed TO make him
one of the games greatest stars.
hope SO.
Lowdermilk Improves.
Grover Lowdermilk came to the st.
other trial in the American League.
Lowdermilk is another pitcher with q
world of stuff. Lack of poise has been
his drawback. Last fall he appeared
to have acquired some of the traits he
lacked in his former Efforts His dis
position appeared to have been mate
rally changed and for the better. Once
Lowdermilk labored under the belief
that any time he started . game he
worked under the handicap of having
the umpire back of the plate as an
added handicap.
ST. Louis for series. The day 1 ar
rived an interview appeared in one of
the papers which said the umpirinR
stan was all wrong. according to Low
| part of the unpires was keeping Grover
$3.50 pitcher. To use his own words
he had SO much stun he was fooling
the umpires. He said his curve had the
ar OitefS SO paYueQ tney always calleQ II
a ball. hence he had quit using it, Now.
Lowdermilk has a deceptive curve. but
SO have other great pitchers. 1 was to
, work the plate that afternoon and Low
dermilk was to pitch. l thought il best
to talk the matter over with Grover be-
fore the game started.
II see by the papers you are foOling
the umpires," / remarked.
Grover smiled rather sickly.
Il tell you, Grover. it's better idea
to fool the batters, you are more sue
cessful. This afternoon suppose you
make up your mind that 1 simply can't
be fooled by your stuff: that you are
going to confine your attention to the
opposing batters."
Grover agreed. He didn't say a word
all afternoon. The result was a shut
out for Cleveland with only one hit, n
misjudgsd fly ball that should have
been an easy out.
Don't extend any sympathy to the
umpire when a couple of star pitchers
are working: il means a pleasant after.
noon for him.
Copyright. 1915. by W. c. EvansD-