The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-03-30
BASEBALL GREAT AMERICAN
GAME (?)

This may not be spring weather but
we have passed the Vernal Equinox
which is Mother Natures way of say
ing that she is ready to change the
seasons. And so it is that the sport
world" is fast making ready for the
sport of sports-baseball. The teams.
which participate annually under the
"big tent are just about ready to
make their tricks northward, for in
another three weeks, the familiar cry
of "play ball" will be heard on all
fronts. Here in the Hub, the big ques-
ton seems to be whether or not our
entries in the "big show" will be able
to overcome their inadequacies of real
champions, as displayed a year ago, or
again succumb to the ever pressing
demands of a real winner? The Red
SOX have gathered together new pitch
ing talent for it is in this department
that they feel lies the answer to that
sixteen game advantage the thunder
ing Yankees held last year. Up the
street a way, the Bees, telling that
their plight is much more acute, gath
cred together all types of new talent
in hopes that they might be able to
mold something that may approximate
a ball team. All this, along with steady
! conditioning and assimilation, goes to
make up the preparatory training.
Then, one day soon, these hopefuls will
parade their best before JOHN @. Phan
and he will cheer or jeer them as he
sees fit. Yes-on all baseball fronts
the enthusiasm is running high, these
days, for the coming of the great
American pastime means good enter
tainment, and who, among US, doesn't
enjoy it.
1t is a great game, there's no deny
ing that, but it does seem to be little
inconsistent with true American ideals
for it, as yet, hasn't extended the same
opportunity to all races. 1t still offers
all types of camoufage to appease the
baseball idealist. Despite the open
affirmation of many of its heroes con-
corning the welcome advent of Colored
ball-players into its fold, it has always
shown an Indifference which can only
be interpreted as meaning that cit
won't happen" And yet, it is sup
posed to be the GREAT DEMOCRA-
TIC GAME, one in which all are sup
posed to have equal opportunity. The
peculiar thing about this situation is
the fact that it all happens right up
here where tolerance and true democ-
racy are supposed to abound. Some
times we wonder just who did win the
war of the 1905? According to his
tory, the north is accredited with vic
tory but its detectives have never been
fully realized for the south still makes
unprecedented demands upon minori-
ties and is seemingly successful. That's
about all the Colored ball-players' po-
sition, as regards big league play,
amounts to! The powers to be in this
game, are too afraid that they might
offend the players who hail from Dixie
as though they aren't we'll paid for
their talents.
Regardless of all this-sandlot base
ball still appeals to the many. 1t is
here that most of the entertainment
will be fostered. These are the games
that usually pack the thrills-the ex-
citement-and in return receive most
of the criticism. However, the boys
will ever strive to please their public
because they thrive on plaudits-the
moveted reward of the sandlotter. And
yet fans, let's not forget that the at
tractive uniforms, which will be worn,
are not the gift of any sports store
but rather must be paid for by those
who wear them-so when we 90 to