Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-26
''Fans" Start Agitation for the
Lengthening of Season. /,
NOT AFRAID OF NEW LEAGUE
Different Teams Signing Up Players
for Coming Season-Richmond Elk.
poets Moreland to Make Good.
Special Dispatch TO The Star

=! oioeilldker rams. many of whom
ciaini the magnates should endeavor II
give thehi paii after Labor day, for dur
ing the past two or three seasons ths
race mas come to an end here the Satur-
day Following Labor day The reduction
OF the salary limit this year ought 10
make the addition OF twelve games an
easy proposition. The latter part of Sep
TENDER IS the most glorious season OF
the year In this climate. and with a good
race on the clubs would make money
after the usual time for closing The
races on in the major leagues keep the
interest up on this circuit, and last sea-
son, despite an unpopular team here with
the fans, there was a constant clamor fer
ball after the season came to an end
September 10. 1t certainly looks as
though the spring session Of the directors
ought to give this matter some consider
alton, for 1t does look as though a liu-
game schedule could be provided Tor
under a $1,000 limit
The team owners in the Virginia
League do not seem to be afraid of tho
proposed Tidewater League or Jerkwater
Outlaws, as they are now designated
throughout the circuit. 1t was first pro-
posed to put teams in Norfolk, Ports
mouth, Hampton, Newport News, phoe-
predicted for this circuit by one Of The
Norfolk scribes. First, Suffolk and Phoe-
bus dropped out, and then Hampton
could not see anything in the league and
Is no longer counted on. This lett Nor
folk, Portsmouth and Newport News.
and then II was suggested land in dead
earnest, tool that the fourth club should
be the team representing the training
ship Franklin, at the Norfolk navy yard.
The circuit makers are still at il in the
hope OF organizing, but II can be seen
that they are in sore straits. IL IL was
necessary for President Williams TO lind
a buyer for the defunct Norfolk team at
a price of 5000, In order to secure
grounds In Norfolk. for no other diamond
could be found for professional bal.
where will the Norfolk Jerkwaterites do
business TO paying crowds? The league
is being backed by the former owners, in
part, Of the Norfolk team. Enough has
already been done to put these men out
of the pale of organized bail, for they
are planning to put team In Norfol {,
which is protected territory. No one
thinks anything will come of the orSani-
zation, and many believe 1t was only con-
ceived for the purpose or attempting u
force the Virginia League to expand I,
include Portsmouth and Newport News
for the coming season.
While it is not known officially that
such is the case. it is understood that
an assess ment has been made or Is about
to be made on the present franchises 10
put the circuit on a firm footing for l3li.
Last summer the default of the owners
of the Portsmouth team and Its subse-
uuent transfer to Petersburg cost the
league, it is understood, about $2OOo.
Instead of a division of the sinking fund
the teams are to be called upon 10 pay
the league out of debt and put work
ing surplus to the credit of President
Williams Some OF the official scorers
have not been paid for the entire Woik
last year. and other bills are not yet
paid, but these will be attended to ,os at
mond 1t is understood that the teams
will all come up promptly with the as
Sessment.
Ed Mckenzie. who along with JACK
Quinn and Dutch Revelle, both of whom
are now with the New York Americans.
pitched Richmond to the 1905 pennant,
has signed with Columbus. In the . so .s,a
Atlantic. Mckenzie was q winner In TINS
circuit. When here he was the properly
of the Atlantic team. which turned NM
over last season to one of the corners OF
the Tri-State.
Professional ball will have to wait
awhile for the services of washington
and Lee Tniversity's crack pitcher. MO-
ran, who has been much sought after py
major as well minor league teams.
Moran attracted attention several SPRINGS
ago when pitching for Fishburne Mil
itary Academy, preparatory school.
when he cut wide swath. Later ne
went to Washington and Lee and was
soon in the limelight again Moran
seems to have everything pitcher needs
for success. and 1T Is to he hoped that
he will decide to enter the professionai
arena upon completing his course. Ills
record with Washington and Lee mas
been a wonderful one.
Fred Lucia, the veteran catcher OF lasi
years team. was the first old member 10
hook up with the 1911 Shoemakers. AM
he viii be called upon to do the bulk ot
the catching. In 1904, with Denver, Coz.
Lucia caught no games out OF l4e player
by his team. and it was stated lasl
winter by a we'll known authority that
this is the greatest number of games ever
caught by a player in a season OF
trif1e over five months. Lucia Is soih-
to prove great boon to the sem-pro
fessional pitchers who are to be tired ou'
here this spring.
One of the marvels of close observer
of the game is the fact that John Sex
ton OF last years Shoemaker pitchin:
staff. was overlooked last fall by the d.
scouts and even now the team Is naVlh-
trouble disposing of his release. sexton
was the highest paid man on the team:
last year, and it is for this reason mat
he is to be sold. He is one or the mos'
promising men that have ever played IN
the Virginia League. He came 70 ,. ,ne
lege of Worth Carolina, curve pan
nifcher. HIT he soon found this wouic
not work. and he cut this out. using a
good head to fool the opposing stickers
He did this nicely and got away with a
majority Iof his games after that. al
though the team quit fourth. Sexton. In
addition to being a college man: mas pei
feet habits and the A or CLASS team
that fails to look him over is missing
good asset.
Manager Busch has written the Peters-
l,A hoc
in nabbins a right-handed pitcher VINO
stands six feet five and a half inches
This marvel in height at least. comes
from Cincinnati, but Manager Busch pre-
fers to keep his identity under cover Tor
the present. Busch says he IS conner
and will jshine in the Virginia League
this year!
yum" lMoreIand. who has been signed
by Richmond, had trial here In the
spring of 1909 under Al Ortiz. More
land came here as a catcher, but was
given trial in the exhibition games IN
the outfeld. He did not hit, but Orlh
thought enough OF him to send MIN 10
the Carolina Association with a string.
but he did not figure in sliff1cient games
there to get in the official record Tor ina
season. With the additional experience
that has come to Moreland since then ne
ought to make Richmond COCO man.
He is very fast on his feet. and II he can
hit there is little doubt about him De-
coming regular with the Colts.
First Baseman keliher, who wound up
the season with Petersburg last year.
having been secured from the Fredericks-
burg semi-professional team. gives prom