Omaha daily bee., 1911-01-08
The OMAHA SUNDAY BEE.
OMAHA SUNDAY. JANUARY 5, 1911
lJUDGMENTSI


rule, that OF drafting players for trading
purposes. We have long in common with
many others interested in fair play and
decent methods in base ball. protested
against just this thing and naturally feel
gratified at the action taken. II is en-
bodied In this new rule:
Rule 53-Any major league club desiring
TO draft a player IN addition 10 complying
with the requirements OF section 7, article
g. Of the national agreement, and the rules
Of the national commission shall file with
the secretary OF the commission a state
ment signed by its president, signifying
that such selection is made for the sole
purpose OF securing such players service
for it's own team and not under an agree
ment OF arrangement for his transfer TO
another major league or to a minor league
club Of higher classification than that from
which he was drafted or for his return
to the club from which he was obtained
by draft
II on investigation the commission finds
such certified statement was false and that
the system Of selection was perverted from
Its true purpose In furtherance OF a con-
spiraoy. fine equal to the drafting price
of the league from which the player was
drafted shall be imposed on each offending
club. II the club from which he was Sc
lected were not party to the translucent
transaction. it shall be permitted to re-
tain the draft money otherwise the amount
shall be forfeited 20 the national commits
In any event the player deprived Of the
privilege Of advancing In his profession
shall be declared free agent unless some
other major league club desires his ser
vices by the drafting process. II the
player is declared a free agent he shall
the offending clubs for the succeeding
season.
Statistics are not available to show what
percentage Of drafted players either are
traded or sold 70 other teams. mostly min
ors. but We venture to say that II 10 at
least so per cent II not more. This works
a hardship, often, on both player and the
team from which he Yves taken, whether n
Is the one to recover him or not. IL it
does not recover him. II has lost for the
minimum amount Of money It's best player.
and II he is traded, possibly lost him to
one of It's rival teams, as has been the
case with Omaha and nearly every other
minor league club. Or, n IL RECEIVERS him.
nine times out Of ten, the players useful
ness to the team is impaired because Of
his discontentment and disappointment. He
IL sore at being let down and the chances
are, where the minor team owner feels he
cannot Justly meet the salary rate which
the player was to get from the major. is
sore at that and will put In most OF the
time pouting. Serious mischief comes from
just such abuses. The commission seems
has prescribed rather strong penalties. I'm
doubtediy IL was forced TO take this radical
action largely because OF the practice OF
one particular National league owner. who
has apparently taken liberty for license on
many occasions the assumption that a
winning team carried with It some sort of
special privilege for itS owner.
Not that anvhody falt any aerio,,a douht
over the matter. but Just to confirm a
common belief, 1t may be interesting to Ie-
state that George Tebeau boss Of the
American association, announces that that
organization and the Eastern league win
make no trouble in the way OF an invasion
until the end Of 1911. when their franch-
Uses expire. "Then," auoths White Wings,
I'VE shall be prepared TO make certain re-
quests" 1t Is nice Of him to call It IRE
quests" they will be prepared to make
and enforce demands. OF that let no one
be deceived.
Many an old fan win rejoice that Jiggl
Donohue IL 20 be back for another trial a
first with the sox this season. Jiggi
thinks his injuries have all healed and thaa
he will be able to turn tint trick as easily
as he did In 1905 II 30. then worry nc
longer about that position for the sox. fol
when Jiggs is right he is about as goot
as there is on the initial bag.
Now, do we understand Brer Hacken
schmidt correctly? All he wants. accord
ing 20 his astute fiscal agent, Mr.. Jael
Curiey. Is q chance az the big houses, an,
not the championship That's 1t, isn't IL
Wen. for time. at least. we should sa!
Hack ought 20 draw fairly WELL but n
has about as much chance at beatinl
Gotch as . lamb has Of killing a butcher.
II Don Despair gets Bobby Lowe for hi
manager he viii have done we'll Fo
Robert was some player In his day and hi
noodle still contains loads OF base bal
knowledge which would be valuable
properly impaired to the present genera
ton. And who doubts that Bobby wot
OF the way 10 impart Il?
Sam Crawford is back to visit the folk
IN wahoo and Nebraska. Sam brings bac
with him this year the distinction OF hav
ing batted across the plate last season II
raus. more than any other America
Lacquer which Is the kind OF battin
that counts most You can't beat out tn
home-growns,
The Highlanders have another man I
fight it out at third with Jimmy Austin.
Well, bring EN- on. Jimmy fought it OF
rather successfully last season with half
dozen OF them and viii be much MOI
able 10 meet all corners this year,
President Rourke Is dickering for a goo
trade on Harry WEIGH. The doctor ought
be valuable asset 10 many a team. II
does not care 10 play In Omaha any moi
and for that reason Pa has agreed to Il
him so elsewhere
Old HOss MeCioskey advertises Z,
''young players OF ability, who can h
the ball-not the high bali'-for his But
team. John Is back with his first io'
and here's hoping he makes a so OF Il.
Johnny 0Onding continues 10 grow your
and supple as the winter progresses. TT
other day when the sun came out re-
warm-like, he almost leaped the count
in the store where he Is working,