The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-02-18

That Is quite different from the
feeling when i entered organized
baseball eighteen years ago. Ny
parents didn't object but relatives
and neighbors were nearly horri-
fled. have often heard my
mother tell how many well-mean.
Ing persons rushed TO her with
warnings Of what would be my NJ
ture II I turned to baseball rs >
life profession.
Baseball conditions are improving
an the time and / believe the game
IS on q higher plane today than
twenty years ago. But nere's what
counth-the temptations in baseball
are no greater In proportion than
in any other business. For after
an it isn't the business but success
and prosperity that causes trouble.
I felt that way when made the
ntep IN 1907 and / viii feeI the
same II one or al Of our little
youngsters follow my steps. Which
hope they VIII.
have never found anything In
baseball 60 be- ashamed Of. Tho
game has been good to me and j
know it has given me thousands
Of friends / never would have
Kansas. Ny earnings IN baseball
have enabled me 60 give my wife
and four children many comforts
that otherwise might never have
been possible.
And from this day forward tI1elr
future welfare Is the .laIy thing I
am interested in, so far as my own
baseball connections are concerned.
Walter. Jr., ID nine years OF age.
He ts the oldest, but too young Tor
baseball plans. However, Is he
shows the inclination and the ability
20 be q creditahle pitcher. his
mother ana myself viii not only
approve such 2 step but win urge
him TO the limit. We win be proud
and happy Il walter, jr.. or any Of
the boys. 50 into professional base
But many considerations VIII Be
necessary First, 50 far ,as can
possibly be determined in advance,
ne must show Indications Of ability.
] mean exceptional ability.
wouldn't want to see him just an
ordinary player. And he must
show the right disposition and
character for q successful baseball
career. Because it's q long. tough
climb, as / so well know, even for
players with much ability
i u.,1I. insist On s compYefe edi,.
cation. which / regret I did not |
get. Ny boys must 30 through
hieh school and college. Such .
thing as 3 baseball contract VIII
never have my consent without
education first On that point. their
parents are In absolute accord.
The boys win go to college and
After that. 4 h0pe-t0 the ma jOr
leagues. But i want 70 see them
learn baseball Is did, In the
bush leagues or At any rate .
season or so In the minors.
walter. jr., and Edwin are not
yet even what might De called
baseball enthusiasts. Edwin II
aged seven. Then there 10 Bobby.
aged four, and Carolyn Ann q
young lady Just two years old.
Walter and Edwin enjoy fooling
around the bench at the ball park
more than watching the game.
And they always want to be in the
players dressing rooms. TO tell
the truth they are not near 30
much interested in their dads
pitching a. IN seeing Nike Martin,
the Washington trainer. Mike al
ways sends them away with q fist
full Of candy or big balloon.
They are regular kids eli right.
] remember one time they showed
up at the dinner table with q hand
full Of nickles and dimes They
Immediately confessed that having
secured number Of old. discarded
baseballs from Mike, they had sold
them to early arrivals at the park
and pocketed the profits. Even in
this small example they showed
earlier business indications than
their dad ever did.