The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-16

status of the case at present is that
Bransfield was released by Boston and
claimed by Washington.
The president of the big league sent
The Spy that message yesterday in re-
spouse to a query as to whether he had
promulgated Bransfield's new contract
with Boston. The contract was sent
President Young several days ago for
official action, but he has not promul-
gated it.
The Spy asked him yesterday con-
corning the contract which Bransfield
signed for Manager Leonard. Presid-
ent Young was asked if he had or if
he intended to promulgate Bransfield's
contract with Boston. The wire he
sent in reply says: "Bransheld was re-
leased by Boston and his services
claimed by Washington"
The message indicates that Wash
ington has only to press its claim, and
the Worcester catcher will have to join
the team. The contract he signed with
Boston after Washington made claim
to him doesn't appear to hold water.
If Washington insists on it's claim
and Bransfield has to go there, it will
be unfortunate for him. He answered
the telegram Manager Arthur Irwin of
the Washingtons sent him under mis-
apprehension. The sending of terms to
Bransfield to that club. When the
Washingtons learned of his release
notice, they put in a claim for him,
and Manager Irwin asked Bransfeld
over the wire what money he would
want from Washington to finish the
season. Bransfield thought the query
of the Washington manager simply
meant for the balance of the present
season, and had no reference to next
year. So he sent terms which he
would raise by several dollars month
had he known his acceptance for this
season would mean reservation for
next year at the same or a slightly in
creased figure.
After BransAeld had sent his terms,
Manager Leonard learned in The Spy
the dickering that was taking place.
He FASTENED after Bransf1eld, having
first telegraphed Manager Selee of the
Bostons, who was then in Brooklyn,
for permission to act as Boston's agent
in re-signing Bransfield. Manager Sc
lee gave him the permission, as it was
the only possible chance to head off
Washington. Manager Leonard Sc
cured Bransields signature to a Bos-
ton contract, and sent the contract to
President N. f. Young of the National
league for official action, as is necessary
with every contract of the kind.
Nothing has been heard of the con-
tract since. which aroused suspicion
in the minds of some followers of the
game. that it was not regular. If it
had been, the chances are it would
have received favorable action at the
hands of President Young before this
time.
1t was to learn the real standing of
the Bransfield matter that the sport
ing editor of The Spy telegraphed Pres
ident Young. The answer is given
above and it would indicate that the
little plan which Manager Leonard con-
ceived to outdo the Washington man
agement did not succeed.
Undoubtedly, Washington has the
claim on Bransfeld at the present time.
If that team desires to press it, I'M
doubtedly Bransfield will be obliged toI
sign a Washington contract. 1t isl
within the bounds of possibility, how
ever that Washington will not press
the claim through courtesy to Bos-
ton. Courtesy doesn't appear to any
great extent in the dealings of the Ma
tiona league clubs, although Washing
ton was the victim of that quality when
it let Brooklyn have some of its play
ers. 1t has since regretted the action.
and may not feel disposed to extend
courtesy to any club
If the Worcester management was
certain Bransfield would be played by
the Washlngtons, Manager Leonard has
said he would be pleased to let the
catcher go. But Manager Leonard and
others fear the signing of Bransfield by
the Washinstons will mean playing
him on the Torontos of the Eastern
league as a farmed hand. Manager
Leonard would regret losing Bransfield
to Toronto, not only because the catch
err would not advance, but because he
would be too good a man for a rival
team to have.
Boston will undoubtedly press it's
claim. which is that it signed Brans-
field before the Washingtons accepted
his terms, through the advantage of
having an agent on the grounds to sign
the player. If Boston does press its
claim and Washington insists that it
has a right to Bransheld for having
claimed him before the expiration of
the 10 days notice of release, the mat
ter will probably receive the attention
of the national board of arbitration.
President Soden Of the Bostons is a
member of the board and would un-
doubtedly look after Boston's interests.
IF the Washingtons WIN Bransfleld
will be big loser. The salary for