New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-27

chief contenders with the Giants. ana II
they keep galloping along at the present
mace they are quite likely to be more thah
contenders McGraw cannot afford TO let
them open too wide gap. The policy OIL
vatchful waiting has lost favor
TIL. cut-to-shreds Phillies arc leadlns
the league in team batting, with marx
well above 800 while the Superbas are
next in line. In team fielding Brooklyn
shows the way. The Giants are pretty
we'll down the list, and. be IL toiu' t''o
Cubs bring up the rear both IN pa'''"e
and fielding.
In the American League the Deroi.
Tigers. thanks largely TO IY Copp anu
Sam Crawford, are I'm the van IN cluo oa.-
ting. with the Yankees close III '''o"
heels. and the Philadelphia world cna''-
pions third from last. The Wash'ns.o"
team is showing great weakness WIN '"e
hat the percentage for the first six games
being only III. In club fielding ho"e'e''
the Senators are at the top. with the III
KEGS bringing up the rear.
Roger Peckinpaugh is the ieaoer a'"o"s
the Yankees with the stick. Up to Thurs
DAY he had averaged one hit game TOT
percentage Of .3l2
II was a privilege to see the four-miIe
relay race at Franklin Field on Satur-
day. when A. y. 5. Jackson. the oxford
University captain, beat McCurdy. or
Pennsylvania. in that last wonderful
mile by the width of straw or some
thing like that. The heart-breaking
struggle Of two game. honest runners
paid tenfold for the discomfort Of sit
ting four hours in the rain and trying
10 keep notes and record results on
soggy paper. There can be no hesitancy
in saying that II was the greatest foot
race. the most gripping fight. that II has
ever been my pleasure to see, and thou
sands OF others will bear me testimony.
Jackson had the most to do IN that last
mile and well deserved the glory which
went with winning, but who shall say
that McCurdy did not earn equal credit.
I feel almost like repeating much that /
wrote of the race in The Tribune on
Sunday. so deeply has II been impressed
on my mind, but space is too precious.
This. however. must be said: Jackson.
under the handicaps of new scenes and
changed climate. dead track that did
not favor his long, easy stride, a twelve
yard gap to close at the start and an
outside position in that desperate sprint
around the last turn. proved himself. IL
such was necessary. great runner.
One word more The University Of
Pennsylvania, which made the race pos
sible which has made the relay carnival
a striking feature Of the track and field
season, must be congratulated. The top
heavy programme Of ffty-fve events
was run off under discouraging condi-
lions without a hitch and hardly more
than twenty minutes behind schedule.
1t was good work.
Charges filed by the Xavier Athletic As
ISOLATION against the Millrose Athletic As
ISOLATION on the ground Of prosecuting
may bear fruit in bringing about an in
Of a rule which is hardly
specific enough to properly safeguard the
bona fde amateur and the club which Is
not governed along commercial lines The
Athletic Association is neither
better nor worse than a number Of other
clubs when 1t comes TO poselyting. StO-
ries are told, based on something more
than mere gossip. that an athletic IAN
gel" here and there is in the same posi-
ton TO this club or that as the John
Store is said 10 be TO the
Athletic Association. Recruiting
always is attended with more or less
damage to the true spirit Of amateurism.
il seems, must be offered TO
the stars to insure proper representa-
ton. and the rules to protect those who
fairly are easily evaded a club
cannot promise or secure employment for
a prospective point winner but a member
can do so or does do so at a sacrifice TO
the spirit. If not the letter. of the law.
1t is all wrong. but II is mighty hard TO
fasten the guilt.
According to the Amateur Athletic
Union rules an amateur becomes n pro-