New-York tribune., 1918-03-13

"No matter how promising a rookie
may appear in camp, he may be a fail
ure in the real game" continued Hug
gins, who had just been asked what he
thought of the outfit he is conditioning
in the South.
The weather man furnished another
balmy summer day for the athletes,
to the training process they are under
going. Thus far the youngsters have
complained but little of stiff muscles.
Higgins is handling his men carefully
and says he expects to bring his twirl-
ers to the opening day of the season
without sore arms.
"a training trip is only for the pur-
pose of getting the Boys in condition,
you know" averred the diminutive lead
pect any real ball playing IN camp
and I wouldn't pass final judgment on
man until I have seen him play for
at least a year We can only accept
those who show the strongest possi-
bilities of making good. Lamar i'm
presses me as promising youngster.
That's why I signed him late last night.
Three Things Necessary
TO my mind there are three things
which make ball player-the me
chanical or physical fitness element.
skill which carries with it versatility,
and the third is what | call heart.
BY heart l mean disposition, tempera-
ment, the mental attitude of the player
when the real clash comes. We can
get an inkling of the first two in the
final test. It's the difference between
a perfectly trained and perfectly fit
soldier before and after being under
fire
II must say, however, that I am
pleased with the enthusiasm my bows
have shown in their work 1t indicates
they want to play ball. But enthusiasm
IN camp doesn't mean good ball play
ing when the season opens. Per-
sonally, l could never take any in
terest in training tour, but 1 was
sounded. And l know many who ex-
pend so much energy while training
that they have nothing in reserve for
a real work, while there are others
wko never lag in their energy.
I'VE are simply here to get into per-
feet condition. III know whether my
men are fighters when they have been
on the firing line long enough to learn
what the big league fight means. l in
tend to study and indulge the boys as
individuals before attempting to or
ganize them into team"
The five pitchers here who were
given their first work to-day are Ray
Caldwell, Slim Love, Ed Munroe, Her
bert Thormahen and Robert McGraw.
They range in height from Thormah-
len, 5:11, to Slim Love. Nobody knows
just how tall Slim is-he never
straightens out to his full length. Nc
Graw was the only one to cut loose a
fast balt and Higgins caught him in
the act and called halt. Higgins is
serious about preventing an epidemic
of sore arms.
Word was received to-day that
Catcher Truck Hannah was we'll on
his way from California to join the
camp This leaves only Wilson Fews-
ter Of the rockies, missing. He is rapid
ly recovering from an attack of grip
at his home in Baltimore, and will
come South with Scout Joe Kelley in
a few days.
Frank Gilhooley is due to arrive to-
night from his home in Toledo.
Higgins says there is no truth in
the published story that the Atlanta
Club, of the Southern Association, is
TO have the pick of his castoffs. In
face, it is doubtful whether the Geor-
gia club will be given an opportunity
to get any of them.