The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-31

President D. NJ. Shiveley, who was in
Topeka yesterday, let go of his official
verdict that Speck Hurlburt belongs to
Oklahoma City, notwithstanding To-
peka's claim of his possession. Cooley
waved letter from Earrel on the sub
ject, in which the latter said that Chinn
has no hold on the crack centerhelder,
but that didn't persuade Doc a par
ticle. I'll tell you all about it." said
Shiveley, passing around a lot of cork
tipped cigarettes. Now listen. Hurl-
burt refused to sign contract with
Oklahoma City last year, but wanted
to play there. Finally he agreed to
play for a stipulated sum, simply at
taching his name to a paper pointing
out the amount of this stipulation.
Now his refusal to sign a contract, and
his signing an agreement to play for
so much, gives the Oklahoma City team
the right to reserve him for this sum
mer."
Huh. interjected someone. where
| is the reserve clause in their agreement.
Is not the paper he signed his name to
just like a contract with the reserve
clause stricken out?"
No" answered Shiveley. mo, sir.
His refusal to sign a contract ties him
up. The matter is left to me. Farrell
told me recently, after he wrote this
letter to Cooley, that I should settle It.
1t is simply whether or not Oklah oma
City wants to release him. 7 under
stood that Sam Beyman, president of
the Nets was willing to let him go,
but now Sam has quit and Chinn taken
his place. Chinn wants Speck and will
keep him
The explanation is rather mysterious,
and ShfVeley was advised to write 1t all
out on his typewriter and then let him
self be interviewed again
The Hutchinson News, commemorate
for it's enthusiasm, has finally made up
it's mind that the salt town cannot
break into either the Western Asse
citation or the Western League But
not daunted it is looking out for the
next best thing. Here is the latest eff
fusion: Hutchinson IS going to have
good baseball this summer, but in
lust what league has not vet been de-
ternined. The local association has
done everything necessary to get into
the Western Association and will be
admitted If a place can be made for it,
but none of the other towns will give
up its franchise without being forced
to do so, and admission to this league
is a very uncertain proposition just
now for Hutchinson. All that the 10
cal promoters can do is to stand ready
to take one of the franchises in the
Western Association If opportunity Of
fers, and this it already has done. Now
it can only wait. But the grass is not
being allowed to grow under the feet
of the local ball fans while this watt
ing act is being done. Secretary Johns
has been in correspondence with peo-
pie at a number Of surrounding towns
with the idea Of forming a league Of
Kansas towns, to include possibly be
sides Hutchinson, Winfield. Arkansas
City, Wellington, Emporia and Salina.
Such a league can be formed and OBJ
tain national protection in class D, d
very essential move for minor leagues.
This means that the towns forming
such a league will not have to pay such
high salaries that the game viii be a
losing proposition.
The following IS the official list of
those who have signed Joplin con-
tracts. and the positions for which they
win be tried out respectively: Shimo-
mex, third base; Baerwa1d. right field;
Morris pitcher; VenderhiI. catcher.
Pendry, third base; Wiser second
base; Forrestine, second base; HoI-
fngsworth, pitcher: Morgan, outfield-
ers; Bay1ess, outfelder; Green. first
base; Dalrimple. outhelder; Carter
pitcher; Hickey, second base
Just a little apology from the St Joe
News-Press, but interesting at that:
As soon as the weather permits the
skinned" diamond atLeague park viii