The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-26
BY y. T. wORLEY.


because the local champions are not
strictly amateurs is going the rounds
There is no question that the Cor
nell team should not have been allowed
to contest with the St Nicholas and St
Ignatius teams in this series. AS is
known 10 every one familiar with ANA
teur baseball here. neatly every man on
the Tigers has played IN fast company
for money. From the looks Of the St
Nicholas and ST Ignatius mines, the
writer believes that their players are
simon pure amateurs. with the exception
OF the Jersey City battery which New
York used when the Cornell team visited
Gotham.
For the past three or four years those
who have the good Of the amateur game
here al heart have been urging str.cter
eligibility rules I'm the Capital, amt when
the amateur commission took charge this
spring several changes were made look
ing to the purifying Of the mIch-muddIed
situation. However. the commission did
not go far enough. feeling that II lacked
the necessary strength 10 demand strict
amateurism In one sweeping iuing The
tri-city series just past opens the way
for change Ia the rules. gives the com
mission the necessary backing Of public
sentiment. and II a change is not made
this fall the commission might as well
close shop and leave the amateur ball
tOssers 10 fight their own fights, and
eventually kill all interest in the sport.
Why Blame Cornell Team.
While talk Is being made regarding the
disparity in ages an weight between The
winners in Philadelphia and New York
on the one hand and the Cornell team
on the other. the manager Of the Cor
nell team and the club itself IS coming
in for much unfair criticism. Why per
sist in blaming Mr.. Cornell for the pres
ent condition Of affairs? II is a safe
assertion that no man in Washington has
been more generous. more loyal 20 anna
teur baseball. or a better sportsman than
the plucky manager Of the Paperhangers
Would conditions have been different
had the Aloysius. Commissioners. or
Ninth team won the local championship?
Have not these teams men in their line
ups who have played for money? Be
players and can have any one in the
city to play on his team for the mere
asking. the other managers are Jealous
and have striven 20 defeat the Tiger
leader AZ every angle.
Out Of a year Of constant fighting.
Manager Cornell has landed his team at
the top, and, becoming disguised with
the conditions. has stated that he has
seen enough Of the game and will retire
on the laurels he has won His record
speaks for itself. The first year he landed
the Brentwood team second in the Capt.
tai City League race. and the following
season finished ar the top. This year,
under the name OF Cornell Company, his
boys won the championship OF the Cap
ital City League, defeated all Corners for
the championship Of Section A. won the
intersection game with the bankers, and
then walloped the amateur champions Of
New York and Philadelphia.
Ifa man was ever the victim OF cir
cumstances, that person Is George F.
Cornell In 1903 and 1909, il being the Gus
tom To pay players. it is understood the
Tiger leader was generous with his team
and spent the coin freely. and when the
rules were changed this year. and the
players stuck with the Cornell manager.
a cry went up that he was paving them.
as of old. Was there ever a winner who
got by without just such condemnation.
based on mere hearsay and poor reason
ing. as this? The writer Travelled with
the Cornell club 10 New York and Phila-
delphia and was surprised at the high
regard the players have for their leader
and the anger Of each PLAYER at the I'M
true statements made against him In
certain quarters.
Tiger Leader Was Generous.
II has been said that had any other
team won the pennant the trip 10 New
York and Philadelphia would not have
been made. as no other manager would
have risked the chance OF losing the 800
which the trip cost While not ready 10
fully agree with this statement, the writer
knows that TO other manager could have
maze the two trips in a more liberal
fashion. The players not only went 10
Philadelphia and New York but they
put up at the best hotels, ate the best
food. saw both of>She cities, and besides
took In Atlantic City and Coney Island.
Now admitting that the Cornell team.
made up largely of men who have PLAYED
professional ball, but who We're eligible to
play under the rules in vogue here, should
not have been allowed to compete with
the amateur teams of New York and
Philadelphia, where are you going 10 put
the blame? Not on the Tiger manager;
not on the officers of the commission: but
on the commission itself. The amateur
commission is made up of the presidents
of nine of the local leagues, and no change
can be made in the rules governing the
play of the teams without a majority
vote. Accordingly, this fall we are going
to watch the nine league presidents. and
want to see them vote 10 bar any man
who has played professional ball out Of
the game.
We expect 10 find the presidents of the
Sunday School. Capital City, Department
al. and Suburban leagues especially zeal
Gus. We are looking forward to this
meeting with delight, and want 10 see
Manager Jones, of Petworth: Maurice
O'Connor. Of the Aloysius club: Manager
Helm. Of the Commissioners; Manager
Love, OF Ninth. and many others who
have freely roasted the Cornell team on
their feet, all striving to be heard 10 go
on record for strictly amateur baseball
AS side issue it is of interest to observe
that Manager Jones will lose Gallagher.
Baggette, and several other players; Mr..
O'Connor will have TO drop a few off his
list; Manager Helm will say gooSsby to
Handiboe and Woodward; and with tears