Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1957-06-12
Arthur
Says
BY-BlLLY ARTHUR

head of the Duke University
School of Religion, recently de-
voted the forepart of Duke
Chapel sermon to the late Jack
Coombs. the univcrSity's base
ball coach and one-time great
player.
The coach always listened by
radio to Mr.. Cleland'S sermons
and on Monday criticized them.
Preacher" said Mr.. Coombs
one day. your sermon was
good, but you didn't start hit.
ting till the eithth."
II wasn't hitting" the min
ister replied. Il was pitchirs.
but you weren't catching"
One of the coach's favorile
sermons was that about Abra-
ham. Isaac and Jacob, but he
was unable TO name them in
order. So. now and then hc'n
ask Mr.. Clcland TO pre- cb
again that Tom. Dick ano
Harry sermon"
Over in Chapel Hill during
the Coombs era was another
baseball great - Burn HeaIr
The story is told that when he
arrived at the University of
North Carolina to coach, he
was entertained one evening nj
a friends house where he met
number of UNC faculty men,
berS and graduate students
whose conversation concerned
the development of the Eng
liSh novel. One of the profes -
ors asked Bum, What do you
think of Fielding"
"Oh, fielding is important,
all right" Bum drawled, but
it isn't worth much unless
you've got good pitching and
good hitting"
These stories illustrate the
national appeal OF baseball.
even 10 professors and mIaISt-
ers. The latter group may have
an affinity for the game be-
cause, as the Henderson Gold
Leaf reported in 1896. base
ball is really of ancient vint-
age. The Bible tells us that
Satan was a hot member of the
coaching staff. He coached Ev-
when she stole first and AGam
when he stole second. Rebekah
went to the we'll with a pitch
er. Sampson struck out a good
many times when he beat t.t
PhiliStineS. and Moses made n
run when he saw the Egypt.
ianS. Cain made a base hit
when he slew Abel. The prCdi-
gal son made a home run. ali
David was a long distance
throwcr. Moses shut out the
Egyptians AT the Red Sea. but
nowhere in the pages do We
find mention oil the LOUD
monthcd. lCathcr-lungcd idIO'
who brayS and hchawS all over
the park when his side is los
ing"
The Washington Gazette O.
Itorializcd IN June 1902. tnat
the Baseball club at Hunters
Bridge Is a nuwling success a.:u
It's rules very Commcndablc.
He that takcth the name Of the
Lord IN vain shall pay tea
cents"
Another newspaper. the kCr-
nerSvIllc News and Farm. go:
in hot water with its readers
because OF its reports OF tic
games. 4 reader wrote il Oc-
tober 7, 1887: We noticed in
your last issue an article cast
ing reflection upon the base
ball team of your town. In be-
half Of the Summerfield club.
we think the Kernersvillc club
is composed of sober and gen.
tlemanly young men. 1t is true
the game was not played
smoothly. but that we attribute
TO the umpire's being unac-
quainted with the rules"
The October II issue report
ed the game between Oak
Ridge and Kcarncrsville "a
credit 70 both clubs. It was UNI
pircd by Mr. J. r. Peasants
who is Tcl'-DOStcd with the
rules" Tn" next issue carried
brief report of the Kcrncrs-
vile StoCkesdalc game and a
remark: AS our comments on
the games in the past have
been miSConstruCd. We VIII
hereafter COnfinc ourselves
only TO statement Of the re-
suits"
Such Is nc universal appeal
Of baseball. Even girls like 20
60 10 the baseball games" ac-
cording 90 the Wilson Mirror
in 1899. because they see.
good catches there" And. Il.
II. BrImlCy. late curator OF the.
State Museum at Raleigh.
pointed up the truth in rhyme.
The Preacher was called 70
marry
You'll just have to wait. they
said:
The Preacher is at Tn, hall
game.
To root for the boys in rcd