The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-18
Rr muLIAM PEET.

Norman (kid) Elberteld the Nationals
great little third-saeker. was the first
to sign a contract for 1911, and vouch-
safes the information that he expects to
play the best game of his career next
spring.
Manager Jim McAleer sent out con
tracts TO all his players last Tuesday.
and Elberfeld, who happened to be in
town on that day, saw the Nationals
boss personally When rendered a con-
tract. he Immediately affixed his John
Hancock.
The Kid was given slight increase in
salary over last years figures, and is
immensely pleased. He said: I'D rather
play bah in Washington than in any
other city in the country. 1 am perfectly
satisfied here, and the club viii continue
to get my best efforts"
McAleer appreciates the grand work Of
Elberfeld last season, and everybody
knows the Nationals We're stronger at
third base than for years. Elberfeld's
work will not soon be forgotten by the
fans. either.
The Kid figured in more sensational
fielding stunts than any inhelder on the
club. with the exception of Mcbride.
The fans viii recall with glee that game
against Boston, when Walter Johnson
was in the box. The Red sox scored
run in the first inning and the Nationals
forged ahead later. Johnson settled
down and was a puzzle until, late in the
same, with one out. Speaker got TO
SECOND and the man who followed him
cracked out a single TO center. Speaker
dashed for third, and Milan's throw was
low. Elberfed and Speaker went down
in heap, and when both Umpires were
looking toward second base. and Speaker
dashed for the plate. Elberfeld grabbed
the Boston speed boy by the ankle, halt
ing him just long enough 10 allow John
son 20 get the ball The Red Sox crowd
yelled murder but the umpires did
not see the play, and this bit Of base
ban trickery won the game.
Elberfeld is living quietly on his farm
at Garrett Park. and the simple life
sure does agree with him, for he looked
the perfect picture OF health when ne
was in town last week. He expects TO
spend a couple of weeks al Hot Springs.
Va, before the time comes to report
az Atlanta, and declares that the Vir-
ginia resort is the finest place in the
world for conditioning a man.
The principal reasons why the Ma
tionals failed 10 obtain Jack Flynn or
trade 'Gabby" Street at the recent meet
ing was because OF the great amount Of
publicity given the proposed deals by
one of the local sporting writers.
Had Flynn's name been kept under
cover McAleer might have bought his
release.
George Moreland, the well-known Pits
burg writer and baseball statistician, was
in Washington yesterday for a brief
visit. Moreland. said that in his mind
the Plttsburg management would have
made a fool move had they decided TO-
get rid OF Flynn and Moreland has been
in the game long enough to know what
ne is talking about
Herman Schaefer pulled of the prize
fstunt At the recent baseball meeting.
Schaefer with Hugh Jennings and several
others, were up against the Hotel Breslin
bar. when suddenly Herman leaned
over 10 the man in the white apron, and
in a stage whisper, said: SAY, are You
allowed 90 take tips?'
The barkeep answered: 'Sure thing.
mister"
Then put bet down on Betty in
the second race at Jacksonville"
What happened after that is not re-
corded
AS rule the ball players get more real
fun out Of these annual winter meetings
down in little old New York than do the
club owners themselves. The probable
reason is that the magnates are there for
business and that the players are there
for fun and relaxation. on one such oc-
casi0n the players gathered in Peacock
Alley at the Waldorf weary of waiting
for the magnates, in session upstairs, to
adjourn and give out some news, started
a storytelling contest. Each participant
was supposed 10 spin an absolutely i'm
possible yarn.
As the yarn-spinning waXed warm q
pool was formed, each participant in the
symposium OF imaginative tales chipping
in 81 and the understanding being that
the man who broke all records for ''whop-
pers should take the entire sum and
then buy.
Roger Bresnahan, then with the Giants
was tentatively the chairman Of the ses-
sion.
We'll" said Roger TO 'Natty'' McIn-
tyre. OF the Detroit Tigers, it is your
lead"
Mcintyre leaned back in his chair and
reflected long and earnestly
Gentlemen" he said at last, Il once
got voiley of cheers at Philadelphia
when 7 made a catch in the ninth inning
OF a game that prevented the Athletics
from tying the score" There was no
comment.
Il saw a crowd in Brooklyn one time go
crazy over a shOestring catch by one of
our outielders." said Willie" Keeler.
No smiles
zone time in Louisville, said Joe Kel-
ley, I'VE won a game and were not
mobbed' More silence.
Il was on the top of our bus after
game that the Old Detroit club won in
Baltimore, one day, said kid Elber-
field. "and we rode ali the way from the
ball park TO the hotel in peace. Not a
stick nor stone was thrown at us
Stony silence
Il saw game in Worcester, one time
said '-Iiughey" Duffy From the start
10 the finish of the contest Jesse Burkett
never said word 10 the umpire Pro-
found quiet.
II once saw a midweek crowd of 5000
people in st. Louis, spoke up Arthur
Holman, Of the Cubs. More silence
In Washington, one day." said BILLY
AZ