Evening star., 1908-01-23

season as he believed he could be more
effective with the veteran receiving Kim
than any one else. Kahoe and Johnson
We're great friends. and everything the
former knew in a base ball world was inn
parted to the latter.
In conclusion Cantillon said: "kahoe
may not be the best catcher in the world.
but he Is a mighty handy fellow to have
around
The controversy over Pitcher Francis
between ths Washington and Green Bay.
Wis. clubs has been finally settled by
the national commission. the verdict be-
ing IN favor of the local club.
The attention OF the commission was
called TO the case by President Farrell OF
the National Association. on behalf OF the
tended that early in August last it en-
tered into negotiations with the Washing
Ton club whereby that club was TO secure
the services OF Pitcher Francis upon the
payment OF 500 in cash and $500 addition
Al If it kept the player after june l of
this year. That later on this player re-
ported to Washington. hut that that club
nsver remitted the first payment which II
now claims
The Washington club admitted that ne
Gotiaiions were pending for the purchase
of this PLAYER uuder the conditions named
with the proviso. however, that the player
was to report In Washington August ~.
ana that on his arrival the first pay
ment would be made.
They contended further that the player
did not report until about September D;
that at that time he was in no condition
10 play. having been injured. and for that
reason the first payment was never made.
TIE commission then adds: This not
being dispute between two clubs as to
the services of the player. the entire
commission passed on the case.
The rule of the commission pertaining
10 the purchase Of players by major
league clubs is very plain. 1t provides
that agreements should he filed with the
commission for its approval. This was
not done in this case. 1t also provides
that all purchases must be made on or
about August &c
In this case the evidence clearly shows
that the deal for the player was not TO be
closed until August -. This is plainly
illegal and the claim of the Green Bay
Club IS therefore not allowed. The title
to the player, however, remains in that
club
Francis went from Green Bay to the
Hot Springs OF Arkansas. instead OF COM
ing directly to Washington. lie was
sick and unfit TO work. When hc did
show up here, Manager Cantillon in,me-
diately saw that the youngster would not
do FOR the American League, and at once
sent him home. Francis was big. strap
ping left handler. when seen in the west
by Manager Csntiilon. but he had lost
fully fifty pounds By the time lie reached
Washington. and Joe figured that it
would take a year or more for him TO
get back in tirst-class condition.
BIZ Armour. I'll. base ball idealist the
man Of theories. has another scheme go
in. ricciy. The inventor of the batting
dummy row figures using a pitching
machine The machine Will be- placed in
the pitching box aud the balls will go
shoe ing over III" plate. This Bill figures
Will save the arms of the Toledo twirlers
Armour. two years ago. while wiki De-
troll, had big wooden dummy erected
near tie plate at Augusta for the pitcher
to pitch 10. lie had Jim Wigs and
few other Wild ONES on his staff and he
didn't want To take chances with his star
oatters II they pitched 10 live battars
na figured they would Kill one or two OF
thcm. So 10 get control he had tine
wooden man alongside Of tho pla;e. Now
Bill has pitching machine. Along with
the pitching machine he is suggesting hav-
ing a figure Of a batter painted on a
pie~c OF canvas SO that the pitcher can
pitch 10 that. The figure on the canvas
will b. CroUchinr over painted plate
Bill might go still farther ard use his
wooden dummy and the pitching machine
~ the same time. It would not only save
The pitchers arms. but also save the
hatters heads. y few wooden outfieiders
.scar@cTows for inielders ana the ball
players could make merry trip of it down
south. They could go fishing and swim
!nin: every day of the week. leaving the
wooden man 10 do the work.
Jennings doesn't believe in such stunts
lie makes the pitcher get into the box
snj pi;ch, and the batter stand up and
bat.
What II a. batter does get a crack in
the ribs once IN a while" me argues. 1T
dorsH I hurt him bit: just bruises him
mp little. That hardeus him for the
real work Of the season. When you see
a ball coming at YOU never duck away
rom il. Just tighten your muscles as
iarl as you can and take it, IL won't
nj