Evening star., 1921-05-30
Whv Base Ball Endures Forever

That base ball has survived one or
two heavy jolts dealt the game by
grafters and by what may be called
an excess of professionalism will not
surprise anybody who has observed
the outstanding trait OF the base ball
grandstand as that institution exists
and fourishes. That trait might be
variously described. Enthusiasm is
not the one we are trying to think of.
Fanaticism has been mentioned once
or twice in connection with base ball
crowds. but that does not wholly
cover the ground. either. good
word though. and wears we'll.
What we have been cropping for is
the word optimism. After puch
thought we have concluded that is the
word which best describes that quail
ity which has kept the base ball
and taking up archery or something.
A base ball crowd never. never aban-
dons hope. 1t even thinks it can in
duce the umpire to change his deci-
sion. So far as known. an umpire
never has changed his decision when
appealed to by the crowd. and SO far
as can be guessed he never will. But
the grandstand thinks he will some
time and lives in the most delightful
expectation that the time is at hand
every day it renews hope. The late
Mr.. Pope. as is well known. had
base ball crowd in mind and used it
as a figure for the human breast when
he remarked Of it that hope sprang
eternally in IT.
Now the grandstand knows as well
as anybody the why Of an umpire. It
Is necessary that the power of deci-
sion should rest somewhere. There
are good reasons why it should not
confusion. and not improbably to a
division Of opinion that would re-
quire a vote. That. of course, would
delay the game. The theory Of the
and. indeed. the grandstand accepts
him in principle. But what it will
not accept is the presumption that he
will not listen, to reason. 1t cannot
bring itself to take so deroeatory
view Of his character or mentality as
insists. in the face of all human ex-
perience, upon clinging to the belief
! that his mind is penetrable by the
force Of argument. 1t isn't, Of course
He IL an umpire.
The purpose Of these observations is
not to justify either position. AS be-
tween the umpire and the crowd. we
prefer to be free to jump either way.
as the occasion demands. All that is
sought to be adduced here is a rea-
son. acceptable to the speculative
mind. why base ball has borne up
against misfortunes that would un-
doubtedly have been fatal to croquet
we think we have found the reason.
that thinks it can. by logic, eloquence
or pure emotional appeal, induce A
fiatheaded. obstinate. prejudiced and
obviously totally blind umpire to
change his rotten decision. we have
to perceive that game backed by
adherents Of that quality is in no
danger Of extinction.-Kansas City
Star independently.
The old-fashioned man who used to
borrow your lead pencil now carries
fountain pen which never has any
/ ink in it:-Jefferson City (Mo.) Demo-
crat-Tribune.
No matter what the cause really u.s.
every fellow who appears on the
streets with slight abrasion on the
bridge Of his nose is accused of hav-
ing been drinking out of a fruit Jar
Cedar Vale County (Mo.) Liner
College men may become great, but
seldom by degrees.-El Paso Herald.
Homeward the plowman plods his
weary way to read the box scores ere
| he hits the hay.-Baltimore Evening
Sun.
The girls ask what they shall do to
prevent blushing. One good way
Woulu De 10 wear more ClOtheS.-Flint
Journal
The French writer who processes to
be afraid of an "entente divorce"
probably fs more afraid Of the wav
the alimony will be awarded.-Eor-
folk (Neb.) News.
Statistics show that the average in
come of the class Of 1911, Chicago
University. is $5.73c. Not bad for
mere college graduates. is it, Thomas:
Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Poor old Milwaukee,! At a Rather-
ing of newspaper men there recently
a majority of the younger set re-
| ported that they had never tasted
! beer. Still, come to think of it, no
! one ever tasted" beer in Milwaukee.
Minneapolis Journal.
A current. item says that some
| sponges gain diameter Of more than
! three feet. but most of US know
| sponges that have attained L height
| OF 5k feet or over.-Providence Jour
! nal.
Short skirts ere said to have less.
| ened the number OF accidents to
women. No decrease Is reported in
| the number Of backward-looking men
who have been bumped by adtomo-
\ biles.-ChicaSo NewA
Harveys Habit
l