Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-12
BASE BALL, RACING
AND OTHER SPORTS

of spectators behind the ropes in the field
has been an eyesOre and handicap to the
players OF both the local and visiting teams.
and 1t is the desire to provide every patron
with a seat next season. The left field 30
seats will be extended to the fence. the
right field bleaCher seats will be moved out
to the fence that runs north and south. and
the covered Jo-cent seats on that side will
be extended so as to hold at least LOO
more people. These improvements Will al
low for the seating of about 5000 more pa
irons. and ii will Only be the most ex-
traordinary occasions that the overflow Will
go into the field and back of the ropes. Right
field will be shortened somewhat. and hits
into the stands In Bob Ganley's territory
will only go for two bases. but 1t is be-
leved that little advantage or disadvantage
will arise over the new rule.
The Athletics made big leaps toward the
pennant last week winning five games and
losing but single contest. this defeat pc
ing sustained at the hands of Detroit lhurS-
day. Wednesday MaCks men won from the
Jennings crowd by score of to 2 finish
ing the week ana series with to U VIC
tory Saturday The other victories of tue
Athletics last week We're obtained from the
disrupted Cleveland aggregation
The intensely interesting fight for leader
ship in the American League pennant race
will be resumed in Detroit today. where the
Athletics will meet Jennings Tigers In the
first game of a series of four. To leave
the Wolverine city in first place the Ath-
letiCs must win three out of four at least
take majority of the games played. This
Manager Mack and his players are confident
of doing. as the team left for the west Sat
urday night in good condition and deter
mined to return to the Quaker city leaders
in the American League. Detroit and the
Athletics are playing the best ball in the
American League today. the one fighting to
retain leadership and the other struggling
to occupy the coveted position. COnceding
that the teams are playing equally good ball
the advantage will be with Detroit who
will be batting on their own grounds in the
presence of a friendly crowd. urging them
to greater efforts after one of the most
successful eastern trips in the history of the
club since the advent of the American
League.
"Tpp and Blue have not been sold to any
club. is about the first statement Presi-
dent Bryce of the Columbus team made
when ne reached his office after three
weeks outing in Michigan.
There have been many rumors flying
around that both these men have been SOLO
to ST. Louis that / believe a statement Is
due the public. Columbus has sold no play
ers yet. 1t looks to me as II st. Louis was
spreading this story to keep other clubs
on
Detroit assumed the leadership in the
pennant struggle in the American League
on August by margin of one point only
to surrender the position to Chicago after
holding it for one day. But on last mon
day the Tigers again jumped to the top OIL
the heap and have retained the leader
ship up the present day, one week Inc
difference in percentage between Detroit and
Cleveland last Monday was Represented by
A. points, this margin dividing first and
fourth positions. Two of the conteStinS
clubs had a percentage above 900. Detroit
having $40 and Chicago Cos. while the
Athletics percentage was -GS and tEat
of Cleveland .573 Since last Monday the
Athletics the only team that has I'M
proved it's playing percentage. Macks men
tn@n h
of 611 Chicago has suffered another bad
slump After taking a majority of the
series from New York the worlds cham
pions moved on to Boston, confident OF their
ability to repeat the performance against
the Boston aggregation. But they dld not
figure upon the great form displayed by
the Hub representatives recently. ana When
the series was finished on Saturday night
Chicago had lost four out of five contests.
which leaves them still in the running. but
far from the position they expected to be
In, on their return to the Windy city. But
the White Sox team Is still to be con-
sidered seriously. 1t has been experiencing
a bad slump ever since it has been in the
east and is now about due to regain some
of its normal playing strength. and when
1t does, with it's pitchers In their true
form 1t will make the other contenders
for the flag play some to win ..
To get a clear line what the Athletics
have done. and with whom they did 1t, as
well as on what they have yet to do, the
following tables showing with whom the
Athletics won and lost, as we'll as the games
they have yet to play, with whom and
where. are published: