The Washington herald., 1909-07-18

The race in the Sunday School League
is still al fever heat. Ninth and Bethany
fighting neck and neck for the champion
ship banner, with either a likely winner
IN the final series Of games. Peck nearly
laid out the Ninth Street aggregation
Friday rain saving the Christians from
what looked Ike certain defeat and II
IS a noticeable fact that while Ninth
leads the Sunday School League in both
batting and fielding. Bethany has beaten
them three times in a row. and play
much steadier ball in the pinches. and
this nervousness may cost the Ninth
Street lads the pennant If II Is not curb
ed before the next hard contest. Bethany
is steadily strengthening, and Joe Turner
all be seen in the ranks in a few days.
The Independence League has refused,
by ignoring communications addressed 70
the president and verbal requests made
10 the secretary, TO furnish the writer
with a copy OF a rule which they have
IN their organization prohibiting a player
from playing on any team in the Mar
quette League under threat Of being bar
Field. There is but one plausible reason
for such a lack Of ordinary courtesy. and
that is their attempt 70 cover up the fact
that the rule has been for some time a
dead one Thursday Of last week Viii
kinson. Of Advent ard Wynkoop, OF
Twining, played IN the Marquette League.
the first named under an assumed name.
but as vet no word Of the suspension OF
either has come 10 the writer Blooming
dale IS a we'll built up section OF Wash
ingtCn. and there are many fans out that
way: in fact. more than in most sections
OF the city, and that section has. and IS
willing 20 support. two well-organized
baseball leagues. What possible good
can be done by barring a player out Of
one leSg1e and allowing him 70 play in
any other he may sea fit to join? Presi-
dent Harry F. Worley refused 10 give
the writer a copy Of the suspensions
since the rule was made. stating that It
was no ones business. The writer hap
pens TO know. however, four players,
two Of them players on The Manhattan
team, who were suspended, and were.
after two days suspension, reinstated.
Manager Kraft, OF Manhattan. is put
ting Up a vigorous kick TO have Murphy.
o. the Aggies. barred from playing at Nc
Devitt's Field, and It Is said that he has
threatened 70 resign and take his team
out Of the league in case the board does
not act as he thinks is proper. II any
barring is 10 be done, as It should be
when the guilty party IS located. II should
be after a thorough investigation and on
an unbiased verdict. There Is some hard
feeling on the board OF managers, espe-
c.ally between the three leading teams.
and as Manhattan is playing double-head-
ers 70 catch up with the Aggies and
hustling IN every other way TO get a
crack at the Farmers. the Clerks feel
that to have Murphy barred out on ac-
count Of a complaint by the manager Of
their nearest competitor does not SAVIOR
any too much Of true sportsmanship.
Rowdyism must be stamped out II the
Independence League IS 10 hold the large
crowd OF fans that witness the games at
McDevitt's. but nothing hasty. that is
liable 70 cause the breaking up OF the
league should be done.
The difficulty OF getting competent men
who are in no way connected with any
team IN the league 20 run the various
amateur organizations Is clearly draw
back TO the sport no one who has any
connection with any club in any one OF
the organizations should be allowed any
say in the awarding Of postponed or pro-
tested games, or, in fact, any voice In the
selection or umpiTe6. OF other league mat
ters that are liable 20 cause doubt as
to that party's sincerity and honesty Of
purpose This is not casting any refec-
ton on those officers who are now serv-
ing that would be affected by such
ruling. but 1t Is a simple reminder that
in case Of trouble II is best to be on the
safe side and be fortified.
The fckleness Of Dame Fortune has
been amply demonstrated this season in
many ways. but in no greater way than
that in which some Of last years crack
teams are now plugging around the cell !
lar, while few Of those who occup;ed
the bone pile last year are to-day doing
cuty al the top.
Union Station won thirteen games with
out loosing one in the Railroad Y. NJ. c.
A League. and Umpire Flynn urnpired
them az. there being no kicks. Union !
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