The Topeka state journal., 1914-01-31
JAkE'S JUNK.

Western League, has notified all clubs
on the circuit that the schedule meet
ing will be held in Chicago. February
| Sth. This will set at rest all rumors
| and controversy concerning the loca-
ton and time of the meeting which
has been causing considerable worry
recently. In addition to that, Vice
President Hanlon explained in strong
terms that he is opposed to a long
schedule, and this will probably in
fluence the action Of some of the club
| owners who favor a long schedule.
Manager Dale Gear is about to COM
plete negotiations for the purchase of
another good pitcher. The man in
/ question is we'll known in Western
League circles and has had experience
in the American association. 1t may
| be possible to buy his release because
he is dissatisfied with present condi-
tions and wants to come to Topeka.
days.
Bill Rapps will be used at first base
If Phil Koerner joins the Federal
League. The local management is not
worrying about Koerner and none of
the directors believe there is much
danger of his deserting the Topeka
team. Koerner is a desirable man, but
the local management can not afford
to pay him $500 a month. There are
many men in major league circles who
hold regular positions who do not re-
ceive that much every month SO KOer-
ner's demands are not taken seriously.
Manager Dale Gear will not attend
the schedule meeting, as was expected.
President Archie M. Catlin IL In the
east on a business trip and will return
to Chicago in time for this meeting.
The ST. Louis Federals are after
Harry Cassidy, veteran sunfie1der of
the Denver club Cassidy announced
his retirement several weeks ago, but
might be induced to return to the
game If given a fat salary. Cassidy
has class and the Denver writer's be-
lieve he will accept the offer.
Frank Isbell has signed Gerald
Wetzel. a young outfielder. Few Des
MOines players have signed their con-
tracts, but Isbell is not expecting any
trouble. 1t is only a matter of signing
! when they get ready. is believed to be
the reason for the delay.
Larry Quinlan, with st. Joseph last
year, has been signed as manager Of
the Terre Haute team Of the Central
| League. He is an infielder and will
be expected to play regularly
! Elmer Stricklet is given credit for
! inventing the spit ball and Jack CheS-
. bro is given credit for developing it
until the delivery has become famous.
The writer knew Stricklett as young
ster in the nineties when, as a pitch
er, he played with Topeka, then in an
! the team after burning up the college
clubs Of the state. 1t was while a
member of the Washburn college team
| in Topeka that Stricklett began using
the splitter and continued 1t through
/ the same summer while with the To-
peka team. Stricklett finished the
season here and then went to Kansas
! City, and later to Brooklyn. He is liv-
/ ing on a ranch in California now. hav-
! ing retired year or two ago.
Jack Coffey, who has been an
nounced as manager of the 1914 Den
yer team, is the youngster to break in
! on the circuit as a manager. Charles
Mullen of the Lincoln team claimed
this distinction last season and made
good Here's hoping that COffey will
! do likewise; but the chances are
against him. Mullen has very good
team to begin with and Coffey Will
have but the remnants of the old
championship team to start the season.
1t will be necessary to develop lot
| of young men, and with the stars OF
| the Denver team gone, 1t Is believed
the Denver fans will expect too much
of COffey. Th1S might cause MIN 10
get discouraged. and If he does, it is
possible that a clean cut baseball play
er and a gentleman will be ruined as
far as the profession is concerned. One
thing in COffey's favor, he is college
man and that training should prove a
valuable asset.
Sandy Griswold of the Omaha World
j Herald says that: Grazing in the pas
| lures of organized baseball looks a
good deal better to the sane player than
the Federal League wild oats. Sandy
is Just about right The result of the
lwar between the Lederal League and
'organized baseball is a guessing contest
at this time, with odds in favor Of the
! organized clubs. The Federaas do not
appear to have as much zip" as it
! displayed few weeks ago and is be-
! leved to be slipping" With but a few
exceptions, the raid on organized clubs
! has not been great and conditions in
the Federal League are such as to
create considerable doubt in the minds
/, of the public. 1t appears to the writer
as nothing but the work Of ambitious
press agents who will blow up at a
critical period.
Dale Gear. manager of the Topeka
! team. has Dutch K1ontz signed for
his pitching staff. Klontz is big right
handler, being 6 feet inch high. weighs
US pounds and is only 19 years old.
HE has been in baseball but two years.
He has won 81 games and lost 20. In
1872 he was with the Fort Scott. Kan.