The Washington herald., 1908-01-06

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be expected, but President Noyes says
none of the men will have real cause
for complaint for no document will
oarrys less stipend than last year
Canullon is expected here early next
month for a stay OF a couple Of days
during which time he will meet the
directors Of the club and close up all
preliminary business for the coming
campaign. From Washington the Ma
tionaIs' chief will go to New York to
attend the annual spring meeting Of the
American League.
During the next two months Wash
ington will dispose of about twenty
five extra players. but Cantillon is TAX
ing his time about sending the recruits
hack TO the minors. as he wants to
place them so they viii land where
they can be of most value TO the local
club.
Tt has been hard work for the New
York American management to plan the
spring trip, as Clarke Griffith has been
heard from only twice since he departed
for his ranch
It is not desired to make arrangements
that may dtsplease Grin, but il is thought
the arrangements will have his sanction.
The present scheme is TO have the High
landers depart for Atlanta on February
sit is not often club can select this
date-and after a week of practice will
play Billy Smiths Atlanta Southern
Leaguers an exhibition game on March
Z. Three games a week viii be played
with the Georgians until it is time to
work North, there being only one break
in this programme on March 2S, instead
of playing in Atlanta. Athens. Ga. will
be visited. Two games probably viii be
played in Montgomery, where Neal Ball
pastimed last year, and on the way
North exhibition contests are scheduled
in Lynchburg, Portsmouth, Roanoke,
Norfolk. Richmond. and Baltimore. the
stay Of two days in the OTiole City wind
ing up the trip.
The first championship game at home
win be played with Connie Macks Ath-
letics, the date being either Wednesday,
April Is, or Thursday. April 10.
Patrick 7. Powers, president of the Ma
uonal Association of Baseball Clubs, will
not be present this week at the meeting
of the national commission in Cmcin-
natl, nor viii he meet with the-members
of the national board of the National
Association, who are to assemble in Cleve-
land on January s.
Il do not want my action 10 be miscon-
strued to the extent that / shall be rec
orded as opposed 10 organized baseball. %
said Mr. Powers to-day. "On the con-
tTary. l am not. / am as much in favor
of organized baseball as any man who is
connected with the national game, but
fail to see how the minor leagues are 10
accomplish anything which they may de-
sire In the way of modification of the
present rules, without being consulted as
the third party of the national agree
ment- As / understand the meeting this
week with the members of the National
Commission, the minor leagues are TO be
received as petitioners. rather than as
principals. Therefore, l shall remain in
New York"
Mr.. Powers also stated that in his opin-
ion the minor leagues had so many inter
ests involved in connection with the
major leagues that it would be but fair
10 them 10 have a representative on the
National Commission.
Mr.. Powers said that the National
Commission would be requested TO ad-
vance the leagues of Glass A" one
class higher bat he did not express any
great confidence that the request would
be granted.
The Detroit club plans absolutely no
changes. Left field will be the only
point that will afford a contest for posi-
ton. Rossman has cinched his Job at
first, and the rest are certain. They are
all comparatively young men, and there
is no fear Of standing pat" This makes
Jennings task i'm the Southland a COM
paratively easy one; he can devote the
largest part of his tine 10 the study of
the pitching problem. something he was
unable to do last spring. Ira Thomas has
been added to the catching staff. While
he is no Johnny King, he is the best
that could be picked up. He is far better
than any minor league prospect that
could be found.
Jack Hayden. formerly of the Boston
club. will play with Indianapolis team
next year. The last time Jack won fame
was when Hobe Ferris tried to kick his
face into the next county because he
loafed on d bali. or at least Hobe said
he did. 1t was the beginning of the end
of Hobe's career in Boston, for it was a
wicked attack
Hayden graduated from the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania and began playing
with Rochester. He played football on
professional teams during the fall, and
received SO many injuries that be fell
way down as ball player.
Though it takes a vacation of four OF
five months during the coldest weather,
baseball IS a live game the year around,
always furnishing topics Of conversation
wherever two or three fans are gathered
together. Arguments on questions OF
baseball history and records are on tap
at all times, and tie rules and the finer
points Of play are never-ending subjects
of debate. An interesting point was sub
mitted recently for decision, after caus-
ing a spirited argument among baseball
patrons at a fan fest. The question is as
follows:
There are two men out with men on
first, second and third. The batter has
two strikes and three balls. The man on
third attempts TO steal home just as the
pitcher starts to deliver the ball The
umpire calls ball, and the catcher gets
the runner at the plate. Does he score
or Is he Out?'
In this play the runner scores, and he
cannot be touched out by the catcher al
the plate because he is forced home the
instant the umpire has called the fourth
ball AS soon as the pitched ball has
passed the plate. provided. as in this case
II is PqlIed q hall and NOT a third efriIxa
the batter gets title TO first base. and, as
the bases are already full, each of the
preceding runners is forced TO advance
one base without the liability of beine
put out The force is in operation the
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