The Washington times., 1925-02-23

Detroit club.
don't forget to send me bail.
Gee, wouldn't it be great to have
a ball you pitched in the world
series"
A. H. Crook. living in jackson
vile, Fla, wrote this letter: II
| am a high school boy and i am
greatly interested in the American
sport. baseball. My, greatest ambi-
ton is to become a creditable
pitcher. Recognizing in you a lead
| ing pitcher, / ask you to help me
become a successful player. If it
is possible for you to send some
pointers and your secret. of sue
cess, I shall be deeply honored.'
town Of Blythe, i received this
letter from Billy Neipp, ten years
old; az hope you beat the Giants
in the world series. Our. gang is:
boosting for you. My father saw
you win your first game, when
you were a boy and you played
against men. Harris is about the
best manager you ever had and he
helped win the pennant for YOU"
Up in Canada, there is a grow
ing interest among boys ir the
American sport. This letter came /
from Herbert Mcpherson, living in
winnipeg: You will mo- doubt be
surprised to get a letter from a
boy in Canada, an admirer of your
record as baseball pitcher and
also a married man with three
boys Of your own. am fifteen
years old and my ambition is 20
become big league pitcher. Would
voC give me a few Of the fine
points of the game that a pitcher
ought to know? We do not play
very fast ball in Canada. / played
this season in the Juvenile League
l have been trying to improve my
pitching by reading up some base
ball instruction books. 1 can pitch
fairly good ball now. At least /
think so. Could you give me
pointer on pitching a drop curve.
pitch an in-curve and an out l
curve pretty fair"
Ernest Drescher, sixteen years
old, living at Erie, Pa, wrote:
iii bet anything I felt your first
two defeats as much as Harris.
When yOu entered the last game
actually prayed that you would
please describe the manner in
which you hold and deliver your
fast ball. have the confidence
that you win do such a trivial
favor"
John McCann. living in BaIti-
more wrote: when you have won
the championship, l want you to
send me something you used in
the series. Such as an old cap,
spike. sock, belt or some. dirt from
hn nit
to pay my way to see the series
but I'll be roofing for you every
day" John, who signs himself
your redheaded pal' also askes
for my winter address.
A little fellow living in Washing
ton. d. c., by the name of Robert
Willis. wrote this letter: 'T have
just received the card sent me
which bears your signature and l.
certainly want to thank you. Myi
brother is very envious and so
at last decided to compromise, by
giving him the back of the envelope
on which your name was engraved.
Every one that / showed it to
wished they had it. One man who
knew / was a great radio fan, Of
fered me a brand new tWo-tube set
and when I refused he said 1 could
write off and get another one. But
/ wouldn't play such a dirty trick.
My mother says it was mighty nice
of you to send it to me and that /
certainly pay tribute to it, because
| wash my hands before / touch it,"
After reading letters like that 1t
is easy to understand why / feel
there is such a great obligation to
boys.~ Other ballplayers who receive
much publicity also get letters from
boys. Such lads, make idols out of
! their baseball favorites and the
player who betrays them by dis
honesty. poor craftsmanship or dis.
graceful conduct commits a crime
against the boyhood of America
1t is all very nice being popular
but we've got to accept the price
| that goes with 1t.
Next Chapter: "Why< Many Ball:
players Have Stomach Trouble"
l. (CouyriRht 1928 nv the (rhrisfv