Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
BY J. ED GRILLO.

doubt that he cOulu give II
account of himself in that company even
if he were played at third base, posluon
he used to play when he broke into last
company.
Perhaps the only change which Will De
made in the present playing code IS the
adoption of Il rule which VIII stop the
raising of the pitchers box. 1t is gen
orally conceded that this practice mas
been of the greatest advantage to the
twirlers. 1t virtually allows them to
pitch down at the batters. 1t is argued
that the batting would be Increased II the
pitchers slab was put on the level with
the home plate and the other bases.
The object of this rule is to have more
hitting, thus making the games nVeller.
But it is doubtful if such change would
| bring this about. No matter what handi-
cap may be placed on the pitchers, they
will always have the upper hand over the
batters. If they were forced to pltch
from second base they would eventually
master the situation and hold the batterS
down. There may be ways to temporarily
improve the hitting, but it is decidedly
questionable IL the public is clamoring for
more hitting. The game as now prayed
seems to SUIT the public, as the attendance
figures will show.
There seems to be mistaken impress
sion as to the amount Bob Hedges is to
receive for his share in the st. Louis
club. Reports have had it that the for
mer head of the Browns would receive
$3.50, 900 for his % per cent of the stock,
but this is in error.
1t seems that when the property was
appraised it was at this amount, S3OO,OO0
being made the value of the FRANCHISE
and the rest for the grounds, improve
ments. ball players and other assets. The
valuation of the entire property belng
placed at $j35. 200. Hedges will receive
60 per cent Of this amount, or $3A,'oO,
rather snug sum to retire from the game
with.
Chicago and Cleveland are the two
teams from which much Improvement is
expected in the next race. Both are given
credit for having materially strenslheheu
their lne-ups which undoubtedly is true
and yet it is hard to see how either the
Sox or Maps are going to cut the figure
that is predicted for them.
The SoX for instance, are not blessed
with an outfield that is up to the 'stana-
ard. 1t seems to have gathered Il nigh
class infield. barring the apparent hole
at first and boasts Of strong batteries
This combination may be good enough 10
win. but. excepting Lord. there Is no real
ly high-class ball player under DuHy'
barring his pitchers.
AS for Cleveland, it is nothing more
than an experimental team after all.
True, several Of the youngsters added last
fall appeared to make good. but they Will
have to repeat next Spring before their
standard is assured. One cannot help
but be doubtful about that Cleveland
team It has been touted so often and
failed that it will have to show the goods
in the future before any one VIII take IL
seriously.
The addition Of Griggs will not help I'M
less that young man shows entirely Oil
ferent spirit than he displayed in st
Louis. His lstlessness is in keeping with
that tired feeling which the Cleveland
team seems to have suffered with Tor
years, and unless there is an awakening
en- his part he will prove more of detri-
ment than anything else to the Maps.
serted that while Lajoie was great
player, he was not a leader and yet 1t
must not be overlooked that during his
regime he had the team always within
hailing distance of the leaders. and 1t
remains to be seen if his successors can
do as we'll.
Though there have been frequent de-
malls that Fielder Jones would be allowed
to break back into the American League
unless it was with the consent Of Owner
Comiskey. it is not unlikely that this Will
be brought about and Jones allowed 10
take charge Of the ST. Louis team. Jones,
of course. thas asserted time and time
again that the only way he would come
back to the game would he as part owner
Of a club 1t is not likely that the new
owners of the Browns are anxious to
give I'D a slice of their stock to Jones,
hut they could make other Inducements
which would make 1t worth the timber
merchants while to take charge of the
team.
for any man to tackle for it is no easy
matter to build up a winner, the facts re-
main that conditions there at the present
time are much more encouraging than
Will spend money and while this means
really little 1t certainly gives the man.
ager of the team better chance to get
a winning team than if the Golfers Of the
club are closed to him.
Jones would be an ideal man Tor the
place and if he is not chosen at the meet
ing of the American League committee,
which is in st. Louis today. 1t will be no
easy matter to find as capable man for
the place.
According to the views expressed by
those who have seen three of the new
outfielders secured by the Washington
club McAleer cannot hone to strengthen
his team with either Miller; Corbin or
Swain and this leaves him little but the
old material to select from Conway, the
Youngstown recruit, in fact is the only
| other gardner to be given trial. and I'M
! less the reports on the three men men
toned are unreliable Lelivelt, GesSler
and Ralston will have the fight among
| them for the positions on Milan's two
sides.
Monte Cross, who had Warren Miller,
| says he will never do. and Manager Friel
| of the Columbus team, for whom Corbin
played the last two weeks of the season.
insists that the youngster did not show
| enough to hold his own in that company,
| while SWANS record is SO poor with the
Vancouver club that discouraging reports
about his ability are readily believed.
| Though McAleer had his scouts. kahoe
and Padden. searching high and low for
outtielders last summer, they failed to
| find any that were out of the ordinary.
In addition to these scouts McAleer had
friends In the far western leagues who
kept him posted. but scarcity of outfield-
ers was also noticeable there.
! 1t is. however, by no means settled that
Ralston will NOT be able TO hold his own.
He was not a glaring success during the
| few weeks he played last fall, but his
| position at the plate was impressive and
| when that timidity wears off he may be
| a better player than he has shown here.
| No matter what ball players may have
| achieved. when they start down grade
lartistically they are soon forgotten. There
| was perhaps no greater pitcher In his day
| than Vic Willis. He won pennants for
Boston and had much to do with the sue
cess of the Pirates. To have been able to