The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-07-01

CIhC IllS AlAA6AS VI SAS
 Abbott can take another bow, for if was after Mack wrote him for suggestions that Coleman started cracking the ball for extra bases as he did on the coast last year.
 "Mr Mack wrote me several | week ago and asked me what sort of handling I had given Coleman, said Abbott. "I wrote him that l continually bolstered up his con- fidence and kept him swinging, for his is a natural hitter with tremendous power. Apparently Ed was told to go up and swing for he started in getting three and four hits regularly when he was put in the game a few weeks ago..
 Ankle Finished Him. The broken ankle apparently finished him for the year.
 Coleman's rise to stardom was another tribute to Abbott's ability to handle men.
 "When he came to camp from l the San Francisco club more than a wear ago at San Jose Cal, l could see that his spirit was brok- en-" Abbott said. He looked frightened, as if I were going to fire him every minute.
 | 'I could see every sign or great hitter. encouraged him both at bat and in the field. One day I told him in the presence o1 all the boys he had the right fieio job cinched. Again mentioned that he looked good at the plate | The rise of Coleman and his tremendous hitting was one Of the sensations of the 1882 coast race.
 His development as really me | fielder is another story and tribute to Abbott's ability to size up a man and situation.
 Abbott noticed that Coleman did a sun dance on a fly ball; that l he was always backing up at the I last minute and was late in arriv- ing where the bali was headed. One day the fiery Abbott, whose baseball experience extends over ~ | years, took Coleman to the San Joe outfield. He stood in right | field with Coleman and had 8 pitcher knock long fungoes out near where they stood.
 | O. K. Eaid Ed.
 "Now, Ed," said Abbott, "don't chase any of the fungoes, you Just stand here with me and tell me where they are going to light!" - 1 A long fungoe was hit about 70 fet to the right of Abbott and Coleman.
 "That one is going to light neal that brown spot" said Coleman. | 1t hit about six feet from the spot the outfielder indicated.
 The next ball was far to Cole mans left. He told Abbott i would hit in some boards and de
 bris near the foul line. It landed
 plump on the spot.
 'Now the next one he hits, Ed
 you just take look at it and rul to the spot and catch it," Abbot suggested.
 Coleman judged the next higl one, took a few long strides t.
 where he thought it would lan' i and was waiting for it when fell in his glove.
 "Why, why-that's soft, ain it?" said Big Ed.
 His confidence again was re stored and he later could trave with any right fielder. back, for word, or to either side. His arn always was powerful.
 Pitcher Joe Bowman is anothe one of Abbott's "boys." The youns side-armer looks upon Abbott a. sort of a dad" Abbott made hin pitcher. When Bowman saw h. was going to do bench duty thi: spring with the Athletics, he asked Connie Mack to send him bacl wheer he could pitch and learI more under Abbott. He realized he needed another year of expert ence. ,.,
 Abbott has him back at hi! regular side-arm delivery aftel they tried to tinker with him IT the big leagues an dmake him ar overland pitcher. He lost his flrs start but won his second easii9 in the coast league this year.