New-York tribune., 1909-12-28
SPORTS OF THE DAY
CURB FOR PLAYERS
Baseball Men Opposed to Barn
stOrming Trips.

Barney Dreyfuss. president of the Pitts
burg club of the National League. was
quoted yesterday as saying that he was
heartily in favor of and would support
movement being talked of to extend the
time of a players contract from six or
seven months. as is now the case to full
year. Owners of the various major league
clubs are beginning to look with dlsfavor
on the transforming trips, which are as
suming greater proportions from year 10
year between seasons. The risk of injury
and the loss of prestige to some star player
in exhibition games cannot be overlooked,
and an effort will be made to put the bars
up so that the clubs can control the men
to some extent during the closed season
This plan will not meet with favor among
the players. but the owners hold the upper
hand and. If necessary, they can force
the issue and bring about a contract call
ing for twelve months. The men would
draw less money during the playing sea-
son. but it would be spread over a longer
time. which in the long run would be more
satisfactory. according to Mr. Dreyfuss.
Fred Lake. the new manager of the Bos-
ton Nationals. has ideas of his own about
building up a winning team. and they must
cess with the Boston Americans last year.
He denies the story that he has trade on
with Pittsburg. which would involve Vic
Willis. Philippe and Abbaticchio and says,
in talking of his plans:
II will spare pains to build up d team
in Boston that will do credit to the city
and that may win a pennant, but l am
after the younger players of promise
rather than the veterans who have seen
their best days. Under the new reserve
rule the clubs in the major leagues must
reduce the number of players on the roll to
twenty-five after May 10. and I hope to Sc
cure several good men when the various
managers begin cutting
'I did not see the Boston Nationals play
last season. and must get line on the
boys after they start spring training. L
did go to New York. however for the pur-
pose of seeing some of the men on the
reserve list of our club and asked the
opinion OF several old players who worked
with them last season.
IF l can prevent it. the Boston club
will not be handed few old gold bricks
simply because some club wants to get rid
of players. ! intend to hang on to every
good man we have. and pick up only those
who l think can be developed into win
ming COnlDlHaIlO0- QOH look Tor any
help from any club; in fact. I don't want
it. I have not suggested a trade of any
kind up to date"
The meeting OF the joint schedule COM
mittee of the two major leagues will be
held in Pittsburg, according to present
plans, some time next month. II is said
that the National League may be obliged
to return to a schedule OF 154 games next
season, regardless of the recent vote at
the annual meeting in New York in favor
Of les games. Some baseball lawyer has
interpreted Section Al of the constitution to
mean that the schedule committee is en-
powered with authority to decide on the
number of games. and that the action of
the delegates at the annual meeting was
not binding
Nothing in it," was the way well
known baseball man dismissed the sub
ject yesterday. and added: "The National
League owners have decided on a schedule
of 16s games for next season, and 1858 games
will be played or at least scheduled