The Washington herald., 1914-02-14
Feds Grab Ball Park
Under Ebbet's Nose
Old Brooklyn Club Field Is obtained-Evers
Signs with the Boston Braves-Other
Interesting Sporting Comment.

: 10 not yet recognized by US. having made
no application TO have its players recog-
nized. II stands to reason that the play
| ers cannot yet be recognized"
President Fultz. Ed Reulbach. and
Jake Daubert. all officials of the fra
ternity. called upon the. Federals at
the Knickerbocker this afternoon. and
fuliy explained their attitude toward the
independents. They went on record az
absolutely neutral In tho fight and In
| tiinated that the Federal League would
in all probability be granted privileges
equally extended to the larger leagues
| Of organized baseball in the very near
| future. Later this committee called
upon Augustus Hermann for an expla-
nation of the reported attitude of dis
| elimination on the part Of the fraternity.
| as made public by certain officials OF
| organized baseball.
Eyers Signs with Boston.
Johnnie Evers. deposed manager of the
Cubs. signed today TO play with the
Boston Braves. The deal was a direct
slap at Charles W. Murphy. The ma
tionai commission, which sanctioned
Evers' transfer. held that the Trojan
was a free agent because of Murphy's
treatment of him and guaranteed Evers'
contract for the four years II had TO
, run with Chicago. Murphy was not only
censured. but ordered to pay for the
slight upon Evers' ability. Bill Sweeney
and Hub Purdue are to be retained by
the Braves Murphy loses consequently
on every count his sole consolation be-
ing an assurance from the national COM
mission that he was mighty lucky to get
such an able manager as Hank O'Day
from the National League without pay
ing for him.
The announcement that the Federsls
had invaded Brooklyn created no end of
excitement in the ranks Of organized
baseball. The national commission i'm
mediately convened with those msgnates
who had remained and deliberated upon
how best to meet this blow. II is said
that the idea of placing an international
League club in Ebbets' field was revived
and that Ebbets was Of a more amenable
spirit toward the project. few days
ago he asked 100000 for that privilege;
now he Ii willing to welcome the skeeters
without remuneration.
Major Leaguers Worried.
Most of the major leaguers appeared a
trifie worried over the Brooklyn invasion.
especially when II was reported TO them
that Gilmore was in such a playful mood.
when he landed the big bread winners"
81 wouldn't compromise with organized
baseball for s5,oopOOo,' said the president
OF the Federals. IF there ever is any
compromise, IL will be at our terms. We
have no Ill will toward anybody in the
game. but we have enough money to go
independent of organized baseball and the
national commission" -
Several changes Of importance were
made at the meeting OF the joint rules |
Of the National and American |
Leagues today. The coach came in for a !
wallcp. when II was decided that no one |
on the side line be permitted to touch |
any runner. |
The rule against coaching a player be- |
fore he reaches first base will be more |
stringent than ever. No more can a |
batter put himself in the way of a pitched |
ball In order to get a base by being hit.
II 1t il apparent to the umpire that the |
batsman purposely Is hit. he will be de- |
clared out. Nothing was done about |
limiting the catchers box and there will |
be no penalty on a pitcher who purposely |
gives q batsman a base on balls Hank |
O'Day contended that this is good base
ball. and his opinion ruled.