The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-06
Shafts rom Sportland


Here's q little olution for those who
are e~ndeavoring to s~tratghten out a
tangle: Why not drop Norfolk. take
In Portsmouth, and let the league re-
main, with this exception. as 1t was.
Norfolk is not a part OF the Virginia
League. Lynchburg is. and SO is Dan
vile. Why talk about letting out a
member of the organization whom the
"old woman" hasn't got a say In the
matter? That's some real dope. Now
figure 1t out.
Everybody-that is. everybody except
some few enlightened ones-knows that
the question of a salary limit near
little to the teams in the league unless
each and every manager wants to live
within the limit. Surprising, for in
stance, as is the case, the salary l!mi:
is $3.50 for a specified number of play.
ers. excepting the salary paid the
manager. What's to prevent paying
the an eXorbitant sum? Then
the anage can spread 1t out as he
sees AT. Not violating the letter of the
law. but what a puncturing the spirit
does get!
It's a hard thing for the owner OF a
franchise in any league to sit quietly
by when his team is losing. and not
bend to the temptation to get players
at any price. But it's q whole lot more
game to lose when you have been beat
en- to it without breaking any hard
and fast rules. Therein lies the benefit
of being first on the field. When you
have the pick Of the entire crowd you
certainly have more chaGse than when
you can only choose from a limited
few. That's sense, and It's reason.
And remember always that 1t is the
fan who watches every move. And
lust one other thing in passing. Don't
forget that the fan is wise to many
things. Just because you think you
have got him fooled. don't wrap up
in your down quilt at night and think
that he really is fooled. For Instance
several a n know who was interested
in at least two other teams IN the
league last season, when 1t was sup
posed to have been a dead secret.
Now what in the world is the sense
OF having a manager when an owner
a pick his men just as we'll, and,
as report has it, better than a man
paid to fill the Job? Just a waste
OF money. Any old ball-player can
get on the field and act as captain.
OF course, many of us don't realize
that an owner is qualified to pick BALI
players, not being on the ground, but
then things change rapidly in baseball.
Joe Jackson says to pick a player O
must see him work, but Joe doesn't
know.
Both OF the major leagues will meet
in New York next week. There ap-
pears to be little OF Importance for
the American League to do. And on
the furface there seems to be little
which should hold the attention of the
national organization moro than a day.
the fact remains that when the
older league holds sway there are so
many chickering's for players and SO
many waps taking; place. that FREE
uuently the meeting Is adjourned In
order to pull off some business deal.
Lynch Is going to be president again
and, whisper, Richmond Is going to
get a manager at this meeting.
Talking OF the wise ones In ring
affairs, how does this strike you from
.Mister'' Ad. Wolgast, splinter arm ana
all: ~ will fight Owen Moran on
George Washington's birthday, 1911,
provided I get $4,000 for my part,
win, lose or draw" Seems as IL the
prediction made In this column vas,
coming true. Wolgast is getting
hungry, and he wants to see that the