The Washington times., 1936-03-10

uulUouL141 1SO'
For the past several years, espe-
cially since the decline and re-
tirement of Babe Ruth, baseball
has adopted a policy OF rigid re-
trenchment. Where baseball spent
dollars, it now shaves nickles.
Young men graduating from the
universities of the land are not
turning to baseball to extend at
profit their athletic careers.
It was not so many years ago
that a college ball player could
step into a professional league
and sign a contract calling for
SIS, 900 per year, or more. Young
ball players coming up from the
minor leagues commanded similar
salaries. The youngsters hitched
their baseball wagons to Babe
Ruth. His salary was a standrd.
When he PISSED the standard
passed with him.
DIAMOND LOSES LURE
"Where are the young ball
players?" asked this veteran
with whom your agent talked.
"They are selling insurance,
working as engineers, and doing
the many things that young
men do in the commercial and
industrial life of the nation.
They just are not playing ball
in the numbers that they once
were.
ut has come to q point now
where, when particularly
good young ball player reports
at training camp, the veterans
20 around and snake hands
with him. Fullest privileges arc
granted to youngsters who show
anything like real ability. 1t
was not like that when / broke
into the big league.
There must be q cause for
all this" your agent suggested.
There is" replied the veteran.
"There is q very good reason. The
minor leagues are paying small
salaries. It Is unusual now for
even a good ball player to get
$4,000 in the larger Of the minor
leagues. In the smaller leagues
the pay is even less attractive.
In the small leagues the players
! travel by motor bus, live in Sec
Ond-claSS hotels, eat at second
class restaurants and are sub
jected to trials that . major
league player never experiences.
SALVATION WAGES PAID
"These leagues pay star play
ers $1OO per month, and the
lesser lights down to $50 per
month. Well, do q little figur-
ing. The season lasts five-and-
OnehaIf months. The star gets
$3.50 per year if the league lasts,
and the mediocre player gets
$3.50.
"It isn't always possible to
step right into a job at this
time" continued the veteran. "If
you think it is, consult the fig
ures available at headquarters
of the American Federation Of
Labor. So, often your ball player
is unemployed through the win
ter and until spring starts.
'In a majority Of cases the
yOungster has to spend two or
three years learning how to play
ball. Then, If he's good, he
gets q major league trial. Often
he is released and YOU sport
writer's say Joe BuffkinS was
sent to BlanktOwn for more
seasoning That is, you say it if
you're kind to the kid and try to
cushion the crash of his hopes.
DISCOURAGED ROCKIES QUIT
$50 down to the bushes he
goes, and maybe he never gets
another shot. Or maybe he is
discouraged and gets q factory
Job, or some other work. and
goes in for a life Of industry.
So a potential star is lost.
"If he comes into the major
leagues nOw," continued the
player-and you all know his
name-"the kid is asked to play
the first year at . low salary.
Some clubs give him a break,
but some clubs figure that he
should play for q little money