The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-05
4 WILL NOT PLAY
IN CITY ON Dan
So Sings Buck Hooker, Whose
Salary Has Been sorcly
MANY THINK He is Right.
Dobson Ownership Still in Air.
Bradley Certain He Will
Get Him.
MANY THINK He is Right
ny GUS MALnERT.

10 4 Eli . 10
Quite few things happened in the
Virginia League during the past week.
The most important event was the
coming OF March /. The first day of
the first spring month meant to many
bail players freedom. To others It
meant 6 Job. and to still others 1t
mean but 1t is impossible to use such
language in print.
Then date In question was of
peculiar interest In Richmond.
Buck Hooker. formerly of the
Danville baseball team. and. for
, that matter. still apparently owned by
that organization, lives here. So does
Frank Bigbie, who managed the Ra-
leigh team last year. and 30 does STAN
ley Bigbie. who has starred on base
ball fields from coast to coast. All
three of these players longed for March
as child does for the jam which
is just one shelf too high
Hooker probably suffers worse than
any oftthe local players. He Is good
ball player, and that means a whole
lot. He is quiet. unassuming. and a
gentleman. every inch OF him. IIe Is
always trying to win for his team.
and while he deserves no special praise
Tor that. there are a number OF ball
players-and some have been in Rich
mond--of whom 1t cannot be said
Player Worth What He Cum Earn.
Through his ability as a ball player
Hooker has established a certain mar
ket value for his services. AS in every
thing else,a ball player is worth eX-
actly what he can command in salary.
But the Danvflle crowd appears to be-
lieve not in this cardinal principle Of
economies. For Danville has said to
Hooker that he Is not worth what he
can earn, but what Danvilles is willing
to pay him. And this from set OF
people of whom II have been glad to
say that they were the best sports in
the world!
All during tho period that Danville
sheld Steve Griffin I kept hands off and
, purposely refrained from commenting
because felt that they knew what
they We're doing and felt that Steve
was far too valuable. TO be let go IN
that they were absolutely right. While
1T may have worked hardship on
Griffin, It was good business to try and
effect and advantageous thade or sale
still III make. a wager that it is the
first time In professional baseball that
manager who turned out pennant
winning team and made money for the
club owners has been turned out in
this manner. But that was business.
Should BE Given Freedom.
When 1t come to tho case OF Hook err
and Schrader and CASTOR 1T Is differ
ent matter. Here are three ball play
ers Who arc dependent on their ball
playing ability for living. They put
up their services, within certain limi-
tations to the highest bidder It Is
manifestly unfair for any team to take
| advantage OF a bubble or Technically
10 hold these players, II, indeed they
can be held by such methods, which all
thinking people will seriously doubt.
Hooker has rightly appealed to the
Natfonal commission for a ruling That
body Is competent to act and Will have
the final word in the matter. Farrell
may have his own opinions, but 1t Is
fortunate that his ts nc. the court Of
Last appeal. Hooker has perfect
r1ghtsto demand that he be allowed to
play ball where he can earn tho most
money. and he should be given this
opportunity voluntarily by, Danville.
/ Dobson Ownership Pending
Another matter OF Interest to us
folks at home, which came to tho sur
face on March l., ia tho belated claim
which Fayetteville Is making for the
services of Dobson, or more correctly
speaking for the person Of ID OLSON,
whom President Napier has sold to
winston Salem. together with three
other players. &.
Owner Bradley Is highly incensed at
tho action of tho North Carolina;in mag
nate. He, too, has appealed d to Secre-
tary Farrell. and he Will not take Far
rell's opinion as final, unless he nap
pens to award the player TO Richmond.
Under that condition It would be IN IN
to some ono else to do some appeal
ing. ..,3
The facts II the case; have been put
Continued on Second Page
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