Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-24
Catcher, Reported to Have
Jumped to FederaIs, Can
Be Spared.
BOEHLING is EXPECTED
TO SIGN CONTRACT TODAY
George Moriarty Doing Missionary
Work for Detroit Club-Few
Players Hold Out.
BY J. ED GRILLo.

The announcement that Catcher Frank
Owens, drafted from Minneapolis last fall
by Griffith, has signed a three-year con-
tract with the Federal League is not
causing Griffith the slightest worry
owens was sent a contract week so
ago. i'll which he was offered substan-
tial increase over his salary of last year.
but he has not replied in any way to the
local club.
II. of course don't know whether
Owens has signed with the Federals or
not, nor do l care. said Griff this morn
ing. IF he reports here all we'll and
good. but if he doesn't it will make no
difference to US. We are well supplied
with catchers. and while. If Owens reports,
he may be carried all year. it is not a
hardship to have him stay away
Toe Boehling arrived in the city early
this afternoon and went into conference
with Manager Griffith. 1t is believed that
the difference existing between the south
paw and the club will be Strengthened
out some time today and that the an
nouncement of Boehlins's signing will
come later. Manager Griffith gives as
surance that Boehling will be satisfied.
He figures that he and the young phenom
will have no trouble coming to an under
standing.
George Moriarty is doing scout work
for the Tigers He is visiting the players
who are in a doubtful frame of mind
about, signing and his trips are proving
successful. 1t Is quite compliment to
Moriarty that he should be taken out of
the ranks and sent on such a mission.
President Navin has every confidence in
Moriarty. and some day perhaps he will
be placed in charge of the team.
There are comparatively few players
out of the fold of organized base ball at
the present time. a large majority have
signed their contracts for next season
and those who have not done so are,
with few exceptions. in no danger of join
ing the ranks of the Federals. One play
er of note who threatens to go to the
Federals is Pitcher Claude Hendrix of
the Pittsburgh club Hendrix demands a
salary of $500 from Dreyfuss and the
latter has turned him down.
In view of the fact that Hendrix lost
one more game than he won last season.
the Pittsburgh club can't see its way
clear to give him a large increase.
The caliber of players which the Fed
eral League is obtaining from the major
leagues is not going to give the new or
With very few exceptions most of the
players corralled by the outlaws are
of mediocre class, and just how it can
be figured that teams made up of this
sort of material will furnish real COM
petition for the major leagues is not
plain.
Zeider and Sweeney of last years New
York team are mentioned as intending
TO join the Federals. Both were distinct
disappointments in the American League
last season. and can hardly be expected
to improve, yet the Federals try to
make 1t appear that they are wrecking
the major league clubs by depriving
them of their stars. knabe and Tinker
are to date the only players of real
major league ability who have deserted
doubtedIy taken the step because they
could get more money for the short time
they have to remain in fast company.
According TO a story told in Chicago
regarding the recent signing of a major
league pitcher by the Federals methods
were resorted to which will not meet
with the approval of the base ball pub
lie. 1t seems that the player in question
had been riding on the water wagon for
about a year but he was induced to
fall of when he reached Chicago to con-
suit with the Federal League promoters.
While in a state of intoxication he signed
q contract and accepted $1,000 advance
money. When the awakening came he
found that he had deserted his employer.
He asked to he released from the signed
agreement but was refused and he is
now trying to dig up enough money to
make up the $1,000 to return it to the
Federal League so that he sign with
his club.