The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-22
By Hans Wagner

This chapter of my experience is intended mostly for young ball play CTS or any other youngsters who would like to improve their game. It is in answer to at least 50 requests for advice as to how a youngster should act and feel when getting his first chance in the big league.
 The first thing is to feel sure that you are a good ball player and never let that get out of your mind. Be aggressive always but be careful not to be a smart aleck. A lot of young sters lose their real chance by think ing they know too much and refus- ing to listen to the old timers. never knew a veteran ball player to help a starter if he felt that the youngster really wanted to learn. Even the players on opposing teams will stop to coach a youngster if he isn't too fresh.
 Once youngster joins a club he should be extremely careful to obey all the club rules. He may not think it advisable to go to bed at 10 o'clock or to cut out lunch. but he should remember that it is the man ager's theory and it might work out best.
 Personally I have my own ideas about training. but so have others. I don't think I ever went to spring training when l wasn't in as good condition when I started as when 1 finished To tell the truth spring training was always a sort of lark to me. You see, I hunted and fished all winter, played basketball. indoor baseball-in fact, anything to keep busy. That strenuous sort of work had me in fine shape when l report ed. l always ate what l wanted and when I wanted it. I even drank beer in the old days. I don't say that would be good routine for other youngsters, but it didn't hurt me.
 Whenever there is a practice a youngster should hurry to get to it. He should practice all the time. If the team is not playing he can go out and work with the ground keepers.
 This young fellow, Pie Traynor of the Pittsburg club, is sure to be one of the greatest ball players in the world. He cant miss because he simply thinks and lives baseball. Often l have passed the park and seen him working out there in the morning with single companion. One day l saw him all alone in the rain throwing a ball against the grandstand and fielding it as it bounced back.
 It's like any other business
 Gee" he said one day. T wonder when they are going to play an other double -header"'
 Most ball players look on a double header with dread-a double days work for no more money That boy Trsynor would play three If they could crowd in the time some way.
 In way baseball is just like any other business or profession. The man who loves it so well that he wants to work out the fine roints is bound to succeed. Even in the winter Traynor keeps in perfect con dtion and weighs himself every other day to see if he is gaining or losing.
 A manager usually takes a fancy to boy who is eager aud willing to do anything he IS told, cen if it is an experiment. But the boy must show that he does it willingly, with the proper spirit. You cant drive a ball player into making good. It's a hundred to one that the manager knows your capabilities hettcr than you do yourself. You may think you are great outfielder when he will suddenly turn you into a shortstop or even a catcher. He has observed something about you that you never knew. So always do as your mana ger says and don't try to figure out where he's crazy.
 Don't be fresh to umpras. Those fellows can do a lot Of things for you if they think you are really am bilious. They can give you lot of tips and they are eager to do SO. The same thing goes for visiting players your own teammates or the specta tors. If ran should ask you cues tion, answer him in respectful and