Evening star., 1927-04-03

have to tackle lHeSe uaS
would not be such a big job If
there were more John b. Sherldans IN
the land.
Were there more people so keenly
interested in the national pastime as
was this st. Louisan not so many
years ago, the major circuits would
be able TO take their pick OF many
Young athletes well versed In the
rud rnents of the diamond sport ana
mechanically adapted TO the game.
For John B. Sheridan taught the
youth of st. Louis base ball from the
ground up, taught it as only a writer
and follower of the sport from the
early days of big league base ball ana
a true lover of the sport could leacn ~.
Due to his great passion Iof lHe
game and his remarkable knowiedge
of it's intricaeies, the major cifcults
benefited considerably, Several play
cps he had coached in the game from
ehi,dhood on won their spurs i'm the
bip show and today Washington has
Tohn r. Sheridan to thank Tor IT'S
regular catchers, Harold Ruel ana
George O'Seil.
Both Sheridan's Pupils.
Roth of them served their base ball
spnrenticeships under sheridan on the
Sandlots of st. Louis 10 years ago.
Roth rose to prominenee in the game !,
in their native city, the younger y Ne.l
as chief receiver OF the Juilol
Wabadas and Ruel as mainstay OIL tns
catching staff of the senior club. both
i,,mned quickly from the sandlots 10
tha ma iors, where they have been
doing fine work back of the bal ior
nearly a decade,
under the wing of John b. Sheridan 2 F:
lie was a member of the origlnai
Wabadas. organized by Sheridan III
1a12 and named from Wabadas ave-
,,,a the street on which Sheridan re-
sided in the west end or 81. LOUIS.
Mudd,A Ruel was added to Wapaoas
roster q. couple of years later ana nau
come penutation az a catcher IN scho'
iaatic ranks then, but still had plenty
TO learn from the able sheridan.
Sheridan's system of impartlng Dase
hall knowledge to his charges WaS
most sound, but 1t meant great sac
rifice by him. However, IT was a sac.
rifice of love, for both OF ms lotIhsl ,'
pupils. now attached TO the Natioiia's
avow that never since have they met
anv one so whole -heartedly devoted
ia Americas s big game as was Shefl-
dau in those DAYS. That interest never
has tagged. by the way, although To-
dav the estimable st. Louisan Is re-
tired from the sport.
Glasses Held Daily.
The original membership OF the
Wabadas was recruited from poys
ranging i'm age from IL to 4 years ana
base ball classes were held daiiy dnf'
ing the SummeE while the schoois
were closed.
sheridan. attired in running SUIT.
daily would work with his youthful
nroteges. instructing them In throw
ing. running, fielding and batting -
thev progressed in these fundamentals
he would PAY particular attention to
the various positions. Catchers, pitch'
ers and occupants of the several sta'
tions in the infield and outfield were
given individual coaching. In the
afternoons, Sheridan would take 10
or 20 of his pupils to the big league
game--~the Browns or the Cardinals
always were performing In St. Louis
then az now--and explain TO them
carefully the plays as the confess
went along. 1t was not lohs uelo.
this team Of youngsters was "lse i''
base hall tactics beyond its years.
The bovs were versed in the hit and
run. the pitch-out, the cutting OH OF
throws from the outfield and the use
of signs in their play. As result
the Wahadas team soon became the
sensation OF st. Louis and~yicinity.
Other Teams 0utclassed.
other teams of the same average
age as the Wabadas simply were uh,
able TO cope with the Shefidan-coacneo
band The opposition was as'ohhnet,
a a., checked
by eatchers always ready to throw.
It's attack baked by heady co-opera.
ton between Wabadas' infielders and
outfelders an6 it's defense thWarted by
the Intelligent employment OF signals
by Sheridans precocious youngsters ~
During the two or three years the
| Wabadas were acquiring this pefIec'
ton of play, they performed on the
sandlots as did the other young clubs
of 81. Louis. 1t was not long, how
ever, before they established them
selves I'm an inciosed park. where reg
ular admission fees To their games
could he charged, And they proved
| wonderful drawing cards. On Sun
would swing into action, and crowds
of from 1000 to 5000 at the games
were not uncommon. Occasionally the
Wabadas would go out of st. Louis
| for their Sunday engagements.
Ruel recalls a game the club played
| in Litehfield, H., against a team led
by Ray Schalk, now pilot of the White
| Sox Schalk's team defeated the
/ Wabadas, mainly through the excel
| lent work of the little catcher. Ruel
| declares that even then Schaik re,
veaied some fine points in catching
that Sheridan was quick 10 impart te
the young receivers Of his staff