The Washington herald., 1908-01-31
ROTH TO PLAY HERE
KahOe, Smith, and a Pitcher
for the Catcher.
DETROIT AFTER KITTREDGE
Jennings Wants Former Washing
ton Backstop To Coach Young
mary Training SeasOn-Veteran
Was with Dayton Last Season.

Determined TO bolster up the catching
department of the Nationals. Joe Can
tilon has offered Milwaukee three players
for Frank Roth, the best backstop in the
American Association.
President Tom Noyes stopped of in
Chicago on Wednesday. and for more
than three hours was in conference with
Cantillon and Owner Havenor, Of the
Milwaukee club
Havenor realizes that Washington is
badly in need of catchers. and is not
overanxious to make a trade unless he
can get some good material in exchange.
Cantillon offered to swap Mike KahOe for
Roth, but this was not satisfactory. so
Tony Smith, the shortstop, was thrown
in. Even this did not appeal to Havenor
SO 1t was finally agreed that the trade
would be cOnsummated if Cantillon will
in addition to Kahoe and Smith. turn
over a pitcher to the Brewers.
The Washington officials were given
several days to name the pitcher. and if
he is satisfactory to Milwaukee Frank
Roth viii become a National
Roth played in lightweight games in
the American Association last season and
had a hitting record OF 800 while his
fielding average was 81. He had twenty
three stolen bases to his credit
Detroit is making an effort to buy Kit
redge, the former Washington catcher
Jennings realizes that his young catching
star viii be Of little assistance to his in
experienced pitchers on the training trip.
so he wants Kittredge TO coach the twirl-
ers during the spring. Last year Kit
tredge was manager of the Dayton club.
The following is the complete text Of
the decision of the national commission
In the case Of Pitcher Francis. who was
with Washington a part OF last season:
'The attention Of the commission was
called to the claim of the Green Bay club
relative TO Player Francis by Mr.. Farrell,
Of the National Association. on behalf of
the Green Bay club
The latter club contends that early In
August last they entered into negotia-
tions with the Washington club whereby
that club was to secure the services of
Pitcher Francis upon the payment of $500
in cash and $500 additional IL they kept
the player after June I of this year. That
later on this player reported TO the Wash
ington club. but that the club never re-
mitted the first payment, which they now
claim.
The Washington club admits that ne
gotiations were pending for the purchase
OF this player under the conditions named
by the Green Bay club. with the provlso
however, that the player was to report in
Washington on August .. and that on his
arrival the first payment would be made
They contend further that the player did
not report until about September 9; that
at that time he was IN no condition 10
play, the player having been injured. and
that for that reason the first payment
was never made The contention Of both
clubs are established by the evidence sub
''The rule Of the commission pertaining
10 The purchases Of players by major
league clubs is very plain It provides
that agreements should be fled with the
for its approval This was
not done ia this case. It also provides
that all purchases must be made on or
before August %. IN this case the evil /
dence clearly shows that the deal for the
player was not 10 be closed until August
g. This is plainly Illegal and the claim
Of the Green Bay club will. therefore. not
be allowed. The title of the player. how
ever, remains with that club"