davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
WHY RIXEY TURNED DOWN
GRIFF'S OFFER OF $3.50 MONTH

The real and only reason why Clark
Griffith cannot get big Eppa Rixey to
sign a Washington contract has never
been made public
Rixey is the University of Virginia
pitcher-and a good one. He stands s
feet inches, weighs $50 pounds, and Is
a left-hander with worlds of speed, beau
tiful curves. and best of all, perfect con-
troll.
The first day the Nationals practiced
at Charlottesville and Rixey warmed up
Griffith looked him over. Since that time
Grin has been breaking his back TO sign
the ccllegian for the Nationals. The
local boss believes the big twirler has the
the making of wonder.
Two Washington newspapers have pub
hshed stories to the effect that Rixey
lad signed with the Nationals, and later
came across with the statement that
The big fellow had not signed. but had
promised Griff to play with the local club,
when his college career closed.
Rixey has not signed. for two very
good reasons. First of all. he could not
play with Virginia II II was known that
he had affixed his name to a major league
contract.
The second reason explains everything.
Here 1t is.
At a banquet rendered the virginia
baseball team after the close of the 1911
season, college spirit was rampant, and
loyalty to Virginia the keynote of every
one Of the post-prandial speeches. DR.
Lambeth. the director of athletics, in
his speech asked each member OF the
team to pledge his word that as long as
he could play baseball for Virginia he
would do so, and not forsake the college
for professional or opposing collegiate
ranks
Everybody at the banquet pledged. and
among the lot was Eppa Rixey.
Does Southern gentleman ever go
back on his word? And every student
enrolled at Virginia is gentleman, the
Of them Southerners.
MOI decidedly MOI
Big Eppa Rixey will not play baseball
with the Nationals or any other profess
sional club as long as he can be of serv-
Ice to his college.
This is the reason why Clark Grifith
could not pesuade the big southpaw TO
east in his lot with the Nationals.
There is just the possibility that Rixey
viii pitch for Washington during the
summer OF 1913. but not this season, for |
ne has only played three years at Char
ottesyilie. and while he expects to get !
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
18th Washington Clubs Georgetown Team Downs Nav,
FLYNN is FIRST BASE CHOICE
ON THE SHOWING UP TO DATE

On the showing in Charlottesville and
here in the Capital during the past week
Jack Flynn, former Pirate and George
town. player. has the call for first base
over Chester Spencer. the Rochester re-
cruit and Jack knight. the Ianky New
Yorker.
Flynn has shown marked Improvement
in his batting. while his fielding is ali
that could be desired. Spencer has not
kit his stride as yet. but does not look to
be a hitter of Flynn's caliber, while Jack
Knight has only been In town two days
and has really had no chance to show
what he can do.
Manager Fred Clarke, of the Pittsburg
Pirates. claimed that Flynn was too slow
for his team. which was the real reason
why the first sacker was shipped back
TO the American Association. Flynn has
not shown any great speed with the Ma
tionals as yet. but he Is a whole lot
faster than Clarke would have people
believe. probably due to the fact that
the players legs are in good shape. while
in Pittsburs Flynn could not do himself
justice.
II Jack Flynn continues to play the
kind OF ball he has shown here the past
week, Il is hard 10 see where Manager
Griffith can keep him of the ball club,
and Flynn has been coming with a rush.
The present week is bound to show In
teresting developments, as Jack Knight
is on the job and will be out there every
day hustling for one OF the infleld posi-
tons. Spencer in the exhibition game
against the All-star amateurs yesterday
bit In hard luck and played a grand game
on the bag. Spencer is not considered out
OF the running yet, by long shot. and
may spring few surprises.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
WILLIAMS TO GO BEHIND BAT
WHEN JOHNSON is IN THE BOX

When Manager Clark Grifath, Of the
Nationals, sent Big AIva Williams In be-
hind the bat to Landle Walter Johnson.s
speedy shoots against the Philadelphia
boys last Friday he probably let the
Washington fans into little secret.
Williams Is gong to take Gabby Streets
place. and will likely be nominated to
do the backstoppIng in the majority of
games Walter johnson twirls this season.
It was evident to everybody who saw
Big Al work last Friday that he could
handle Johnson perfectly. The Kansas
Cyclone did not use the stun he will
later, for he has not got 1t as yet; but
Johnson's slants came buzzIng along fast
enough to puzzle any catcher, and that
Williams was right at home and did a
good job Of 1t convinced Grin that the
ex-Red sox will have no dlficuIty in
acting as Walter Johnsons battery mate
during the coming Season.
With three such capable catchers as
John Henry, Eddie Ainsmith, and Al
NlilaIns, Grin Is not worrying for a
minute over his backstop department
Each one Of the receivers named will
likely be worked in turn, but it is be-
lieved that when Walter johnson pitches
Al Williams will be selected to go behind
the bat.
Just at present the big fellow is not
in the best of shape. His arm is hardly
strong enough. but just as soon as the
warm weather comes along wiIliams'
whip will be good enough to kill on any
would-be sack purlolner
Williams is a'hard worker. perfectly
satisfied with his change from Boston to
and will work his head
ofr," to use baseball phrase, for Clark
Griffith.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
GEORGETOWN NINE
In SUPERB FORM
Expected to Show Well Against
Northern Schools to Be Net in
the Coming Two Weeks.

That the Georgetown baseball team
will make a great showing during the
coming two weeks is a thing expected by
all those in communication with the team
at the present time. During the coming
two weeks all the big Northern schools
will be met, and some fast contests are
to be expected.
The team looks better and better each
day. and all that the men need now is a
little more work to put them on edge.
In the game against the Nationals on
Wednesday the players had the first
look at a curve ball. and II was surpris-
ing to the coach to see them hit as well
as they did.
The pitchers are all going good. The
work OF Dave White and Feinle in the
game last Wednesday showed that these
two men can be depended upon In the
coming contests.
The team will meet Lafayette to-mor-
row. Columbia viii be played on Tues
day, Vermont on Wednesday. and Yale
comes here on Thursday. Princeton will
rlay here on Easter Saturday and Nom
day.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
TIMELY HITTING
BY GEORGETOWN
TRIMS The NAVY
Hilltoppers Land on Twirler
Leibert for Keeps in the
Sixth Session.
"wabby" o'Connor in Rare Form.
Hollender Chief slugger, Pound
ing Out Nifty Home Run.

Special 70 The Washington Herald.
Annapolis, Md, March 3o.-Batting
in timely style and taking full advan-
tage of their opponents misplays,
Georgetown University defeated the
Midshipmen of the Naval Academy in
the annual baseball game between the
two institutions this afternoon by ? to 4
The game was a splendid pitchers
battle for the first FIVE innings with lit
tie TO choose between the work of
"Wabby" O'Connor, who occupied the
mound for the varsity boys, and Sci
bert, the middies' southpaw. The Navy
lads, however, felt just bit good
the fact that they tailed one
run in the fourth session on a couple OF
errors, coupled with timely bingle.
c. u. LANDS IN SIXTH.
But in the sixth engagement the WASH
ingtonians landed on Seibert for keeps
with the result that they got trio of
runs. thus putting them two to the good.
II all happened after two men had been
retired in easy style, one on strikes and
the other on a pop fly to Mcguire at
short. Then Seibert put one over just
about where Hollander wanted II. for he
gave the sphere a mighty crack. The
ball went sailing swiftly out over the
head OF Byers In the center garden. and
the little Georgetown shortstop had scored
> home run with yards to spare. II was
one OF the prettiest hits that has been
seen here in many a day.
But the homer did not end the fun
for Georgetown. Mcguire made a mis-
cue Of Cogan's grounder. and Sitterdlng
with long drive to right CEN
ter for two sacks, Cogan scoring. Sci
bert allowed Fury 10 walk. and on
Dailey's clean hit to left. Sitterding got
home. Vinson relieved Seibert in the sew
Continued on page 4, column 4.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31

a degree this coming June. he intends
to return to college next fall. and will
be out with the baseball nine in the
spring
That Griffith tried his utmost to land
Rixey is well known fact. The Ma
tionals boss offered the big southpaw
SO a month to sign a contract, but
Rixey refused.
This one fact alone speaks volumes,
for II shows that the pitcher Is absolute
ly sincere and intends to keep his pledged
word, also that Manager Grifith would
never offer such a high price for a raw
recruit unless his well trained eye saw
indications OF future greatness.
Rixey loves to play ball He would
rather pitch than eat, and would be
tickled to death to cast In his lot with
the Nationals, as the collegian likes
Griff. and Is personally acquainted with
most OF the local team. but like the
Southern gentleman he Is. he refuses to
break his word.
This % the reason why Grit could not
sign mp the most promssing southpaw
twirler in college ranks to-day
WILLIAM PEEr.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
Paul Musser Holds His Own
Under Under Fire-The
Score Is 6 to 2.
sCHAEFER is THE STAR
Exhibition Game in Monumental
City Proves Exciting and
Hard Fought.
By WILLIAM PEET.

Baltimore, Md. March 3o.-A sensa-
-tional catch by Germany Schaefer, cou-
pied with alright twirling in the pinches
by Recruit Paul Musser, helped the Ma
tionals down Jack Dunn's Baltimore
Orioles in an exhibition game here to-
day, to ?.
Musser's work in the box during the
last four innings was the one real fea-
ture from a Washington standpoint
The blond boy from the o. & P. cir
cult pulled himself out of several tight
holes calculated to take the heart out
of a seasoned veteran.
In the sixth inning, with second and
third loaded and two down, Musser
caused Walsh to pop up a short fly to
Mcbride. In the seventh Musser was
again in jeopardy. The bases were
crowded and only one down. The kid
frightened up and retired the next two
batters. Again in the eighth with j
full house against him and the Balti-
more crowd yelling like wild Indians,
Musser pulled himself together and per-
mitted but one tally to count The de-
livery of this stuff at critical stages
plainly demonstrates a tvirler'S worth.
GROOM IN FINE SHAPE.
Bob Groom had everything and for the
first time this season cut loose in his
old-time form. That the Orioles were
able TO score against the toothpick
twirler in five innings was due to an
error by Catcher Henry. Groom allowed
five scattered hits and struck out six.
Jack Flynn, Ray Morgan, and Clyde
Milan did the hitting for the home crew
The former walloped out three safe
swats, and in addition fielded his posi-
ton in fauItless style.
The Orioles presented three pitchers
Rube Vickers, formerly of the Athletics;
a youngster named Russell, brother of
the famous Lefty" and Clyde. Vickers
was In poor form and lucky to get away
with but three runs scored against him.
Russell showed a splitter that bafied
the American Leaguers, and was the
most effective of the slab trio.
Bob Unglaub. former. National. played
third base for the Monumental City
tribe, and to show that no hard feeling
existed Grins boys gave him a lot of
work to do. Sir Robert only handled
nine chances, and all things considered
played good game
Freddie Parent was the demon slugger
for the home team, the former big
Lacquer connecting for double and two
singles out of four times up
The Nationals started out on the hunt
for runs in the second and were handed
three tallies on a silver platter. Rube
Vickers walked Cunningham and Nc
Bride, and then cut loose with a wild
n Ernred MORGAN singled
cleanly TO left, and Mcbride romped
home Henry famed, but Bob Groom |
shot single TO left and Morgan counted. |
Milan forced Groom at second, but an
Continued on Page ,, Column 5.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
Griffs Youngsters Have Lit.
tie Trouble Landing the :
Exhibition, IL to 4.
HOWARD sHANKs STARS
Speedy Recruit Gets Homer and
Double-"Buck" Becker Again
Twirls Gilt-edged Ball.
By c. w. SWAN.

Manager Grifith's Yannigans had lit
tie trouble defeating the All-Star sggre-
CATION of amateur ball tossers yester-
day at the concrete coliseum, the final
count being II to 4
Sand-lotter faced sand-lotter when
Umpire Handiboe called play as Boss
Griffith sent Buck" Becker, the pride
of the navy yard, to the mound, and Al
Handiboe was the lead-off man for the
Amateurs Becker has pitched to the
same men that he faced yesterday many
times, having worked in the box for the
navy yard club of the Capital City
League before joining the Nationals.
Buck had little trouble with the All
Stars, holding them to one run and two
hits in the four innings he was on the
mound. Six amateurs were retired via
the strike-out route, and they never had
look in while Buck" was serving
them over
sHANks GETS HOMER.
The game was slow ana devoid OF any
special features osher nsaif the sensa-
tional work Of Howard sshanks. who
played his first game IN me Capital
Coming to the bat fiye times, the forme;
Youngstown lad cracked out a homer
and double. scored two runs. and stole
two bases. The first time up, with Long
resting on second. Shanks shot the ball
on line for the right field fence the
pill Just grazing the top board as II went
over. On his next trip. Howard doubled
to center, sending Red Walker over
the counting block.
Several OF the sandlotters showed I'D
mighty well against the professionals,
Big Litz, on first, playing a corking good
game. notwithstanding the fact that he
Is charged with a pair OF errors. The
infielders paid no attention as TO where
they were throwing the ball. Just draw
ing back and letting fly, with the result
that Litz had to reach for every ball.
and some came on the bound With the
stick the big fellow led the team with
double OF Becker and a single on Guy
johnson.
Walter Herrell, who succeeded Phil
Buscher in the seventh frame. had the
Yannigans up a tree. although they
scored a brace OF taIIies in the eighth
without a hit. In the seventh. with one
down. Scheer doubled TO right. but was
caught mapping by Herrell and the next
man was an easy out. Herrell has speed,
curves and good control, something that
he did not possess when McAleer gave
him a short trial last summer. During
the two innings he worked, the Yanni-
gans should have been shut out, and
but for several miserable errors. would
have blanked the professionals.
johnson In Trouble.
Guy johnson replaced Buck" Becker
on the mound In the fifth session. and
his troubles began right on the reel
Continued on Page 3, Column J.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
"cYs YOUNG CELEBRATES.
Is rendered Surprise Dinner b,
FeIIow-ban Tossers.

Columbia, s. c., March so.-Cy Den-
toni Young. the veteran pitcher. now
with the Boston Nationals. celebrated
his forty-ffth birthday here tonight.
In honor OF his twenty-third consecutive
year as a baseball player. a record held
by no other present-day player, the vet
eran was given a surprise dinner by his
fellow-players of the Boston team,
which was attended by many Of Young's
friends and admirers from Columbia and
other South Carolina cities.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
NO CHANGE IN RULES.
College Basket-ban Committee Al
lows Laws to stand.


New York. March So.-The college bas-
ket-baIl rules committee decided at its
meeting here to-day that the present
rules of the game needed no fundamental
change. The real trouble. the committee
declared. lay in the failure of certain
teams TO obey the present rules. and the
Eastern Intercollsgiate League was or
dered disciplined in this respect. II was
decided by the committee to give the
player but ten seconds for a free try
for the basket after the referee had
placed the ball on the foul mark, and
this is expected to eliminate much OF the
time killing INDUCED in by some OF the
teams. The two-minute periods IN the
middle OF the first half and in the middle
OF the second half were abolished.
The members OF the Committee believed
that certain Eastern teams paid too much
attention to holding opponents instead OF
playing the ball. and Il was decided to
instruct officials to Tighten up on hold
ing and blocking rules so as to make
the game more Of an offensive one.
Oswald Tower. Of Williams College, re-
ported that the game was losing some. ~
its popularity IN New England. while DR..
L J. Cooke. Of the University OF MInne-
sofa, reported the game as gaining in
favor.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
EPPA RIXEY HOLDS
AMHERST NINE SAFE
Virginia Club Wins Loose Game by
s to Score-Allows
but Two Hits.
ii 70 The w.shinstm Henld.

Special 10 The Washington Herald
Charlottesville. Va, March 3O-Amherst
could do nothing with Rixey to-day, and
lost to Virginia, S to l. The star south
paw allowed only two hits, struck out
twelve. and in the fifth inning famed
three batters on nine pitched balls. which
IL quite a record. Fitchett and Lille were
largely responsible for Virginia's scores.
each getting a three-bagger in the fourth
and q homer in the fifth, but the team
also batted well as a whole. The fielding
of both teams was loose Virginia's next
game is with Montreal Monday after
nom Store.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
BROOKEYILLE 4. S.
TRIMS ROCKVILLE
High School Lads Defeat Sub.
urbanites in Fast and Ex-
citing Battle.
special 70 Tas washirgton Herald.

Special 10 Tne Washington Herald
Rockville, Md, March 3O.-Baseball got
start in Rockville this afternoon with
a game at the fair grounds between
teams representing the Brookeville High
School and the Rockville Athletic Club,
the school boys winning, to l. Con-
sidering the condition Of the grounds,
which were heavy. as a result of the re-
cent rains, the game was well played and
interesting. and was marked by a num-
Der OF fine plays, the work of Lamar and
Burns being especially clever. Rockville
Jumped on Smallwood for five hits and
four runs in the opening inning. but after
that the BrookevilIe twirier held the To-
Gals. safe. Score:
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
ATHLETICS LOSE
FIRST TO PHILLIES
National Leaguers Hit Houk and
Krause in the Pinches and
Win, Is to 8.

Philadelphia, March 3O-Hitting in the
third and eighth innings enabled the
Philadelphia Nationals to score enough
runs to defeat the Athletics in the open
ing game OF the inter-league series here
to-day by score of Ii to 8. The pitchers
on both sides were sadly of form. Houck
and Krause were in the box for the
Athletics and Alexander, Moore, Hunt,
and Shultz for the PhiIIies
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
CUBS SLAM COLONIES.
King Cole Holds Louisville Safe,
ChicnEo Winning, II to 8.

Louisville. March 3o.-The Cubs slammed
the Colonies IL to 5 to-day, getting in the
first game in a stay OF three days. King
Cole, well supported. looked like the real
thing for seven rounds, holding the locals
10 three scattered singles. He eased up
at the finish and was raped seven times
in the last two innings. Donley yielded
eight hits and ten runs In four spasms and
beat IL in favor of Mr.. LaudermiIk. The
Cubs cleaned up a net total of eleven
swats, including Hofman's homer and q
triple by Safer
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31

Runs-Beatty. DeJman- Benton 4l. Tanner 90,
Jones. Helm GO. Fair 90. Moss King First base
on errurs-Csntr1l High School. 5; Southern Rail
way. }. Left On bases-Central High School. @:
southern Railway. J First base On balls-On rag-
out-By Taggert, 2: by Con, 4; by Young 5; BY
Risdon, Three-baSe hit-JoneS Twobase hits
Beatty. BishoG. Fair. Mes. Sacrifice ny+Fair.
Sacrifice hits-Tanner. McCathran, Risdou Stolen
bases-Hehin 90. King ca. Benton. Risdon Double
plays-Bestty TO Thomp~un: Deyman to Beatty 10
Thompson Hit by pitcher-By Young Wild
pitch-Young. Passed balls-F1eminR Bishoh UNI
pire-Mr. Leonard. Time Of g1me-2 hours and y
minutes
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
CARDINALS TRIM BROWNS.
BresnHhan's Charges Hand Wal
Inee's Tribe to 4 Defeat.

st. Louis, March 3o.-The Cardinals won
the first game Of the season from the
Browns to-day, 8 to L. Daring base rum
ming and sliding by Bresnahan in the
sixth inning gave his team the three runs
that broke the tie score and brought VIC
tory. youngster named Dell started
for the National Leaguers, but after he
gave two runs in the first inning SaIlee
came to the rescue and held the Browns
safe to the finish
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
AGGIES ALTER SCHEDULE.
VIII Not Play Lehigh or Penn State
This Season.

Special to The Washington Herald
College Park, March 3n-The schedule
Of the Maryland Agricultural College
baseball club. as heretofore arranged and
published, has been materially altered
The games with Lehigh University and
the Pennsylvania State Military College
have been Cancelled. and the proposed
northern trip OF the Aggies abandoned.
Efforts are being made to secure games
with several Virginia colleges, and a
game with Randolph-Macon at Front
Royal, Va, has been arranged.
The team representing the college this
year looks 50 per cent better than last
season, and Coach Edmonston Is getting
fine work out of the men.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
How to Obtain Tickets
for Opening Game.

The sale Of reserved seats for
the opening game of the season
viii take place mt American
League Park, Seventh and Flor
ida avenue, on the morning of
Monday, April IS, at o'clock.
All seats I'm the Erasd stand,
upper and lower, Will be reserved
for the opening game at 81 each.
With q view to handling the
advance snIe eIpeditiousIy there
viii be four ticket booths in op-
GRAFTON.
The price of season boxes will
be mt the rate of s1:.5O per seat,
and viii carry the privilege of
purchasing such box or boxes for
the opening game.
For all future games. N few
rows of seats, In both the upper
and lower grand stand, will be
reserved.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31

Runs-Bums q, CraTer, speck MusgroFe l9
Garrett Lamar, Warned. Dawson Twolhase hit
Warheld. Three-base hit-Musgrvye FirSt base on
balls-0H smallEood. j; Of Hicks. . Sacrifice
hy-story. Stolen bases-Burns, Story. SmaIiwood
Speck. Garrett. Struck cut-By Snalvood .: b.
Hicks. z. Left on bases-BrookeVille 9; RocRviIls
Passed baIi-story. Wild pitch-smaIIrood,
Hicks. Umpirss-MessrN Watson and Nicholson
Time Of game-l hour and IS minutes
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
Maps Bump PeIie.n..

New Orleans. March So.-ProftinE by
an unexpected display Of stage fright at
the outset. the Nap regulars bumped the
New Orleans team to-day by the score
OF to l. The Maps tore of such a large
sized portion in the early innings that
the Pelicans never could set back IN
shape TO play
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
Waco Whitewnshed. 10 10 q.

Waco. Tex. March so.-The White
sox regulars ran away with to-day's
game with Waco, winning 10 to o.
Eight Of the tallies were made in the
fifth inning. Rube Peters held the To-
Gals to two hits and not one Waco
player reached second base. Every
man In the Sox lineup except Bodie
scored. and Lord and Mattick circled
the diamond twice.