Evening star., 1925-08-09

This does not apply to the Polo
Grounds Despite the talk OF short
fences in our park, we have a greater
depth to the playing field than any
grounds in the country. The short
distance is at the foul line only. In
fact, the Polo Grounds is the only
park in the country where a home
run can be hit inside the grounds in
right center, in deep center and also
in left center. We have more square
feet of playing area than any of them.
still greater puzzle to fans
throughout the country, Judging from
the inquiries / get, is the inability of
ball club to win a ma jority Of its
games on the road even though il
has had long winning streak at
home.
Food and Water Factors.
Many of these fans appear to think
that the hostility of the crowd has
something to do with it. AS matter
of fact, that has nothing whatever
to do with it. According TO my OBJ
servation while on the road these
teams are affected much more by con-
ditions off the field than on the field.
1t is largely a matter of food and
water and in the change from a regu-
lar form of living. Everything seems
temporary to the players. Regularity
In eating and the quality of the food
is most important.
In the old days we used to allow
the players so much a day for their
meals on the assumption that they
would eat in the hotels which are all
first class. We found. however. that
many of the players took advantage
of this to save a little money. They
would go TO cheap hash houses and
eat second-class food. Others would
actually do without meals so as to
make a little spending money for
themselves. That slipshod method OF
eating is very bad on the stomach and
1t affects athletes without their know
ing it.
Giants Carry Own Water.
Several years ago l found it neces-
sary to require the players to eat at
the hotel selected by the club, and TO
sign checks for their food. A few
clubs, I understand. still follow the old
custom OF giving the players cash.
That brings about an irregularity in
their daily habits which 1 think ac-
counts for much of the failure on the
road. The water is easier of solution
In many cities we carry our own
water SO that there will be no change.
The schemes to which some ball
players will resort to get little
iiIoliSs Is almost unDeIeNaDle L
knew of pitcher once who was con-
stantly broke and who could not get
any advance money from the club
because of spending habits. He still
had credit at his grocery store. how
ever, as the club would settle for him
at the end of the month. This fell
low thought up the scheme of order
ing a lot of groceries sent to his
apartment. He would then go out
and sell them at a discount to raise
cash which often was spent in WAYS
that did him no good.
/ notice that a few of the first
baSenlen are again developing a habit
that will cause them to lose an i'm
portant ball game some day unless
they watch their step. 1 mean that
literally.
Step OF Bag Too Soon.
They are stepping off the bag too
soon. Often they step off before they
catch the ball They get away with
1t. too. The umpire seeing that they
will get the ball all right waves the
runner out through force of habit and
often turns away without looking to
see If the baseman kept his foot on
the bag an instant longer. We came