Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-25
Mercer Once More Signs a Contract
to Play in Washington.
STRENGTHENS TEE TEAM MATERIALLY
Preparing for the Coming Meeting
at Benning.
SPORTS IN ENE r A l.

At a late hour Saturday night Manager
Manning received the signed contract Of
twirler Win Mercer from East Liverpool,
Ohio, making the pitching corps of the
Washington club complete. Mercer was
one Of the players assigned to Manager
Manning when the American League de-
cided to secure four Of the era ok players
from each National League Club, and ne
gotiations have been going on between the
two for the past month or six weeks. The
ex-senator has always been high-priced
man, and on account Of the competition
between the American and National
leagues MERGERS figures took a decided
bound. 1t was thought at first that Mer-
GER could be signed for about the limit,
81, 400. but as time went along it was
found that salary around the So, 900 mark
would be required to get his name to a
contract. One thing in favor of Manager
Manning was the fact that Mercer likes
Washington and wanted to come here.
Working along these lines, the two finally
got together at the financial end, and the
ex-senator will be back at his old stamp
ing ground the coming season.
Mercer has always been big favorite In
this city, and was always considered a
good, conscientious ball player. While
being signed with the MessrS. Wagner as
a pitcher he never hesitated about taking
other positions on the team and endeavor-
ing to the best of his ability to have his
club win games. After playing in and out
field positions for a couple of years he
finally decided that his ability as a base
ball player was shown to the best advan-
tage In the pitchers box, and last year
devoted all his time to twirling for New
York. His work throughout the season
was of the very best, especially with a
poor team back of him. and a result he
was chosen as lone of the select" by the
American League. Outside of his pitching
Mercer can be depended upon to hit over
the coveted 300 mark, being what Is
known as a pinch hitter, and on the
bases is considered one of the fastest in
the business. Manager Manning Is open to
congratulations for signing Mercer, as his
team has been strengthened materially,
and demonstrates that he will do his best
to give the Washington base ball enthu-
siasts a winning team.
Reports from New York are to the eff
feet that Manager Davis of the Giants has
given it out that he will yet sign Twirlers
Carrick Mercer and Hawley for his team,
and that he had started west with that
object in view. AS neither Carrick nor
Mercer has the reputation of forfeiting his
word of honor it is more than probable
that Manager Davis will return empty
handed, especially as regards Manager
Mannings two pitchers. AS Hawley has
not yet signed with an American League
club a good increase in salary may get
his name to New York contract.
Nothing has been heard from Outfielders
Slagle and Gettmann, but Manager Man.
ming is still confident he will land little
Jimmy before the season begins With
Gettmann 1t Is different, as Manager cIan-
ming intended buying him from the Buffa-
10 club, paying Magnate Franklin some
thing like $500 for the outfielder's release.
Mr.. Franklin, it appears, has repented his
bargain on account of the Buffalo patrons
clamorng for Gettmanns return to the
bison city, and he will probably do his best
to get the ex-senator to sign a contra ct
there the coming season. But nothing de-
cisive has been done in either case as yet,
and both Slagle and Gettmann may yet be
on the Washington team
The Two Leagues Lined Up.
The rival clans composing the American
and National Leagues are now in battle
array. Each side knows about where 1t
stands as regards players and the sched-
ule of games, and the plans of battle have
been mapped out. Some of the points ct
issue will be decided by the public others
will be won by scheming in the council
chambers and few will undoubtedly have
OF go before the courts for a decision.
The situation has shifted from week TO
week, and even the week just past has
been no exception 1t was expected that
the American Leagues teams would be
completed before the meeting in Phila-
delphia but such was not the case, sCMe
of the players counted upon as fixed jump
ing back to the National League and others
falling to make up their minds about the
offers made to them. The vigorous efforts
being made by the National League to keep
it's men In line and the fact that the
Americans managers are working hard on
the doubtful contingent can be taken as q
cue on the entire situation. Both want the
best players that they can gather in. as 1t
Is expected that great deal depends upon
the relative strength Of the opposing teams
In Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago.
National League Hits Back.
70 National Loo
pose to sit Idly by and see its stars grabbed
up by the opposition is shown by the num-
Der of men who have already proved weak
enough to put their names to American
League contracts and then sign another
with the National League. Nearly all the
teams are almost made up. but in putting
on the finishing touches the rival mag
mates are going about their work on diff
ferent principles. The American Leaguers
long ago announced that they had no use
for contract breakers. They took the
ground that the National Leagues con-
tracts for 1900, despite the option clause,
did not bind a player for 1901, and they
professed to believe that, legally and NOR
ally, they had right to sign any player
in the country and any player was at lib
erty to sign with them who had not signed
for this year. Opinions on this point differ,
and it is more than likely that the courts
will be resorted to for final decision.
One point that has been lost sight Of In
the confusion of scrambling after players
is the fact that the National League con-
tract stipulates that player must be mott
fed before the first Of the year whether his
services are wanted for the year follow
ing. Such notification would have carried
last seasons salary over to this year, but
the National League contemplated whole
sale reduction In salaries placing the limit
at $1,000, and to bring this about withheld
the notification. Under this head It is
claimed that the major league has a very
weak case should the "option clause be
taken to court for a decision.
TRAP SHOOTERS ANIMATED.