Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-05
MANY TRADES IMPROBABLE
National Commission Determined to
Stop Farming"
WILL CHANGE SCORING SYSTEM
Big Coup at New Orleans Races
Trotting Board of Review Cases.
Bowling Battles.

themselves OUT next week, wien tie dl-
nual meeting of the American League
takes place in Chicago. and from then on
take up the discussion of their favorite
sport in real earnest 1t was thought at
one time that the Washington club would
be the most prominent under discussion
at the coming meeting on account of the
many deals contemplated by Manager
Cantillon, but the premature publication
of inside information has probably
killed off all chances of a further
strengthening of the Nationals
There is hardly doubt but that Man
ager Cantillon and Manager Griffith had
an understanding last season whereby
Elberfeld and Laporte were to be traded
for Patten and Altizer. but from present
indications these plans have been knock
ed to pieces through the three-cornered
trade between New York, Boston and St.
Louis. Griffith has secured what he need
ed very badly-a first-claSs twirler in
Glade and star second baseman in Niles.
II was "Grif'S' intention of playing Alti-
yer in the outfield. thereby pulling Con-
roy back to his old position at third, and
Case Patten would probably have been
OF great value to the Highlanders as
tWirler.
Although nothing has come to the front
% verify the supposition, it is more than
likely that the word has been passed that
Washington is strong enough at present
to take care of itself, and Manager Can
tillon will probab bly, be met with the pro-
verbal stony glare" when he approaches
the other managers with proposition to
exchange players. OF course Magnate
ComLSkey will do as he pleases, but he
has nothing We want, and the other man.
ayers will hardly talk business unless
thy have lemon to get rid of-some-
thing Manager Joe has little use for.
Just previous to the last annual meeting
there was the same talk about many
trades being made thereat. but few If any
developed and it Is more than likely that
history will repeat itself next week.
That the national commission means
business in it's war on farming can be
seen through the new contracts that it
has sent out, to which players purchased
must sign their names. So many players
have been hung up by the different
clubs of both big leagues that many
managers are doubtless thankful that the
new arrangement did not go into effect
last summer.
AS a sample. rule so is quoted: When
ever it has been ascertained by the COM
mission that any agreement entered into
between two major league clubs or any
major league club and a minor league
club. relative to a purchased player, is
not bona fide. both parties to such agree.
ment shall be punished therefor for the
first offenSe as follows:
Major league clubs, fine of 600. class
clubs, fine of $50: class b clubs, fine of
$500: class clubs, fine of $3.50 and class
u clubs, fine of $500. and for the second
offense protection under the national
agreement shall be withdrawn from both
offending parties for a period of six
months and their players shall not be sub
ject to reservation until such clubs shall
again have been placed under the oper-
atoms of the provisions of the national
agreement. The commission shall take it
as prima facie evidence that any agree
Inent for a purchased player is not bona
fide one in case the player involved is re-
turned to the club from which purchased
without first having been given an OPP
portunity to demonstrate his ability to re-
main in the class of clubs to which the
purchasing club belongs, unless permission
for such return of the player has been
first secured from the commission by the
purchasing club. The commission shall
exercise it's right to call for afhdavits
from officials of the clubs engaged in any
transaction that, from surface indications
does not appear genuine.
Frank Hough. the well-known Philadel-
phia sporting writer, has the following to
say about the adoption of a new scoring
system by the American League at Its
meeting next week:
While there has been a demand for a
new style of scoring which will show just
how valuable batters are at driving in
runs the form of tabulated score will
hardly be changed at this time, but the
new plan contemplates the appointment
of a set of league scorers who will be
shifted from city to city the same as UNI
pires are now transferred.
This idea of putting the scoring in the
hands of competent and impartial ex-
perts is a good one. Scorers who are now
employed by the home club naturally
favor the home players, and batterS who
have a chance to lead their league get
credit for dozens of hits that are really
fielding errors.
a., all lyyo 60. hat cI,
scorers hand Hans Wagner hits on the
rankest kind of fielding errors. and the
St. Louis scorers were accused of the
same sort of favoritism in the American
League during the season of 1905 Near
ly every team has a heavy hitter who is
thus favored, and other players complain
loudly at the alleged unfairness. So. do
the pitchers against WHOM these hits are
scored.
The general run of fans cannot un-
derstand why a batter should have a
hit when ball gets away from a fielder
no matter how difficult the chance. and
they write letters by the score to the
base bali sharps II is a fact that scorers
are inclined to be lenient and to favor
home players. The argument of the play.
er is that he gets no favorS in other
towns. and should therefore, get them a.
home in order to be treated fairly.
AT the present time the scorers ART
appointed and paid by the different clubs
1t is said that Ban Johnson favors the
special scorers plan, which, though 4
would cost the league several Thousand
dollars a season in salaries and expenses
would do away with loose scoring anC
establish a standard of accuracy. At pres
ent the averages cannot be fully re.ieC
upon, and too much is left to the scorer
discretion. There should be more rule
to cover points which are now settled b.
personal opinion.
The aim of the new system is to fur
nish papers in each city with the officia
score. and to give the Associated Press
which teegraphs scores all over the coun
try. The official figures If that is dom
unofficial averages compiled from tn
daily papers will be practically official.
Should the pan be adopted four capa
bic men-presumably from the newspape
ranks-would be appointed to score tn
games, and they would be shifted as oftel
as the president of the league desired
Hal Chase is no longer identified wit
~ California base ball outlaws. TIL
80 NJ FIRST sacker of the Highlanders. &C
ding 70 Il letter received by one OF hi
r.cscsI friends in NV York. has finall
"a -'iv.d az the same conclusion as the ma
e nal commission and the New Yor
a,r, ricau League club as to advisabilit
~ his not playing ball in the winter time
particularly with a league outside tn
pal of organized balloon. and hereafte
will not be connected with the Californi
outlaws.
Il have quit the outlaws for good an
all. writes Chase, though I played wit
them fer some time under the impressio
that l had right to do so. But ar