The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-09-28
TELLS
K|DSVVHAT
TODD.
BY Babe Ruth

/ had a letter from a kid
way out in Idaho the other
day, and in a way it was the
funniest letter l ever got.
Here's what it said: "Dear
Babe: I'm a 14-year-old boy
and | want to be big league
pitcher. How do I startf''
Try and answer that one.
A boy might as well write in and
say he wants to be a President of
the United States and who should
he see about it.
Getting into the big leagues is a
matter Of hard work just like get
ting ahead in any other line. Of
course. fellow has to have ability
to start-but that isn't enough. A
lot Of fellows who have real baseball
ability aren't in the big leagues and
never will be.
You've got to work hard; you've
got to study the game and learn
all about it. In addition to that
you've got to have the real de-
sire to play that will keep you at
it even when the going is tough
and the chances look bad.
You know there's only about one
man in every 500 minor league ball
players who comes up to the big
leagues and stays there. A lot OF
them get a chance-but they can't
make good.
Even when you get a contract
you've still got to fight for your
job. The big leagues can't use a
kid who hasn't the CUTS to keep try
ing. They can't use fellow who
quits or a fellow who gets discour-
aged. They can't use a wilmer.
either.
You've got to be able to keep your
head up when you're taking it on
the chin. You've got to be able to
grin at the bad breaks when they
come and keep trying. You've got
to be able to disregard the cheers
and the jeers and keep on playing
baseball.
II you can do that then you're a
candidate for the big leagues. If
you can't-well it's a tough. tough
road at best and you'd better start
something else now and save trouble.
Riding out through the coun-
try recently. noticed that most
of the sandlot diamonds were
deserted. And the kids were
starting TO kick footballs around.
Out back Of the schOOlhOuses
football games were i'm progress.
That's a good thing. Much as
I like baseball, and great game
that it is, still think that kids
are better off who take their sports
in season. When the first fros;
comes and the first touch of cold
is in the air. it's time for kids
to forget baseball and put the
old bat and glove away until spring
time.
Baseball isn't a cold-w a h I
sport. Particularly for kids. And
il with the coming OF fall they
just pay a little more attention
to their school books and get int
the other sports that come along
football, basketball and the rest
they'll get that much more kicl
out of baseball when another sea
son comes around and spring starts
the play on the diamonds again.
OF course. with mems it's a
little different. Men have all
their strength and growth.
They're mature and able to
stand up under the strain Of
play a little better. But the
trouble Ia that the kids figure
just because the men can do
certain thing they gan do 1t.
too. Which means sore arms
and hurt muscles and some
times the end of baseball
career before 1t Is started.
That school stuff Is importa MT
too. Like a lot Of kids today.
used to hate school and play
hockey and neglect my work wher
I was a kid. But I'm sorry about
1t now. Great a game as base
bali IL, wish had paid q little
more attsntio@ 10 school whiis ]
AaA O SA&1s&