Evening star. [volume], July 29, 1956, Page 9, Image 97

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
League
such depths as to cause their managers serious cardiac
disorders. One horrible moment will be with me forever.
It was a close game and with one out we had runners
on first and second. The opposing pitcher seemed to be
tiring and rattled. I called for a double steal. The
pitcher delivered an<9at the right moment each of our
runners took off for third and second respectively.
Seeing Wasn’t Believing
From there on I don’t know what happened exactly.
I do know that at one time the ball was loose back of
second base. I do know that ultimately the boy going
to third was out sliding into that base and the other boy
out sliding into second. I do know we were the vic
tim of a double play on a double steal and that I was
a bum.
After the excitement the scorer asked me how the play
should be scored.
“Score it!” I said. “How should I know? I don’t
even believe it happened yet!”
Unfortunately only a very small percentage erf" boys
who want to play Little League baseball are actually on
an organized team.
/ / »- i ■ r* ft
It is one of the penalties of participating in the pro
gram that for every youngster who joyously accepts a
suit a dozen must be told they can’t have one. It’s a
bad moment for manager and boy and parent alike.
Sometimes it’s a very bad moment. I know. For two
years in a row I had two sons of my own try out for
Little League. The younger son made it each year. The
older one did not. It was rough on the entire family for
a while.
Little League baseball, like college football, some
■ times places too much importance on winning. But
despite some problems, I am sold on the program. I’m
convinced that boys appearing in front of Little League
benches aren’t apt to appear in front of the judicial
bench in later life. Tha End
CATCHER IS BORN: Manager Lewis Ist this boy
try on equipment for fun—and found a star
Grotor leaven* Photos
9