The Natchitoches enterprise., 1922-04-20

In the spring the young mans
fancy-and for that matter the old
mans and boys too, not only
lightly, but seriously turn to
thoughts of baseball, aud with this
national spirit at fever heat right
now in Natchitoches, the repro.
duction of what the Item has to
say on the subject will be of gen.
eral interest.
There is u real difference between
Us Americans and other folks who live
in less happy lands and we think there
is-it's found in baseball. It's hu-
manizing, democratic sort of sport.
that sharpens wits, loosens the fingers,
toughens fibers and Iimbers legs. 1t
can be layed with fifteen dollars worth
of material put together at home, on a
vacant lot or in the street itself. Five
year-olds strive to get the knack and
the wearied 40s are willing to unbend
now and then on the annual spring
picnic on Saturday afternoons with the
kids.
Banker Smyth or Lawyer Chomon-
delay will shuck his dignity and toss his
hat when the home team scores in the
last half of the tied ninth. as quick as
Clerk Smith or Plumber CHUNKY. An
gelo Patorno, Michael Organ and Au-
gust Schultz, Ernest Einsteln and Paw
lof Tzschkowski yearn their way across
the frail barriers of boyhood into the
merry company of Billy Jones and "his
gang" down at the corner.
"Hittin' tn BALL" is what counts. or
"gettin' it safe in the NIT or throw
in it straight, and thinking on ones
feet, swiftly as the raw-hide sphere
moves, or standing firm when the ash
driven missile whizzes across the dia-
mond with threat Of torn fingers or
bruised shins.
Rather good qualities those. for
youngsters to get for body and mind.
Rather good qualities. too, for the
oldsters, in bleachers or grandstand,
to value and to cheer. in the husky lads
on the field.
1t used to be said that the soldiers
of Britain got their best training on the
cricket fields. Cricket is staid and
orderly game, wherein one keeps ever
lasting!y at it until tea time and takes
up the next day if necessary.
Baseball is quicker, keener game.
a game that isn't over until the last
man has done his turn in the last half
of the ninth. 1t tests nerves, muscles,
heart and brain cells-temper and cour-
age and will.
Very near four million Yanks had
played baseball, sand-lot or street or
cross roads or school yard. We think
it showed.
This pro- ball is all right. 1t takes
some millions of Americans every late
spring and summer and early au u.umnI
days, out into the open air, the wind
and the sunshine. 1t lifts them out of
their troubles, sends them home with
minds and clearer eyes, heart
ened now and then with the memory
Of thrilling climax and a clean, swift
play that summoned nine men to
tightening quick team action.
But mostly it's the sand lot ball that
counts, with the youngsters that play
for the sake of the playing, with the
lust between their toes, perhaps with
\ ragged home made ball aid patched
,at that never strikes quite true, and
,are hands or one of the old mans
gloves stuffed with waste in
The palm for the pitcher or the first
oaseman. .'
And next to these scratch teams |
from squares and country neighbor-
FOODS, for real worth and fun, are
hose for the ''house" or the school
,r the 'store" or the factory" that |
ledicats their Saturdays or their Sum-
lay afternoons, when the weeks work |
n done, and play for the sake of the
yame and likewise for the sake of
winning little honor and glory for the
rroup or the institution they represent.
1t is a clean game, great game.
It's American, and its one of the
,oa sons uhu ,uxa aro diffaront