The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-08
MACNATES Will SOON Give
way TO BASEBALL Player
The Hircling Has Beengforced Into the
Background During the Winter Sea-
son-National League to Hold Final
Conference Next Tuesday

New YORK, req. S.--Wlth the hoiu
fng of the National League schedule
meeting here tomorrow the baseball
magnates of organized baseball will be-
Gin to edge out of the spotlight in ia
vor of the player. The winter months
mark the season of the magnates great
est prominence and this has been par
tieularly true of the league execntive'
and club owners since the world series.
The struggle between organized and
independent baseball interests has
forced the player, in his active role,
we'll into the background. With the
call for spring training and the an
nouncement of schedules real baseball
enthusiasm will begin to revive and
the possibilities of the 1915 season out
lined.
Before this situation in the national
snort can be reached, however, there
are number of import tant rulings, legal
and executive which must be clarified.
The schedule meeting of the American
League has already been held and the
National League will hold its final con-
terence in this city next Tuesday. At
this gathering the magnates of the
senior league will pass officially upon
the PLAYING dates for the coming sea-
son and. also upon several resolutions
and suggestions passed or considered at
the meeting held early in December.
Chief among these is the rule limit
ing a club to twenty -one players dur
ing the major portion of the pennant
race and the proposals TO deny the
withdrawal of waivers once requested
upon a player as we'll as the proposition
to increase the number of games in the
World s Series. General opinion among
the National League magnates appears
TO indicate that the twenty one player
rule will be rescinded at this meeting.
Passed at a time when financial re.
trenchment policy was strongly advo-
Gated a careful consideration of the eff
feets of the rule has led TO the belief
that it will work hardship upon the
majority of the clubs without effecting
a saving in keeping with its drastic re-
suits.
Regarding the proposed rule against
the withdrawal of waivers requested,
there is wide difference of opinion
and definite action on this proposition
is uncertain. The question has been
discussed generally among club owners
and managers since the December meet
ing and there is much doubt regarding
the effect of such a regulation. 1t APP
pears likely that the proposal will be
tabled for further consideration. The
idea of increasing the World s Series
games from seven to nine or even elev-
en- contests has apparently been dis
missed for the present at least. 1t is
probable that the matter will be given
but passing mention in business before
the league.
A comparison of the ring records of
Jack johnson and jess Willard, who
are scheduled to meet in battle for the
worlds heavyweight championship in
less than a month, shows the marked
advantage of the title over the chal
lenger in actual glove campaigning.
Johnson began his pugilistic career in
1901 and since that year has figured in
seventy-eight bouts for a total of 696
rounds. During this stretch of years
the negro has won twenty-five contests
by knockOuts and twenty-seven by de-
cisionS. He also participated in twelve
no-deciSion matches and seven draw
bouts. In addition johnson has won
two battles as the result of his op-
ponents fouls; lost one on his own foul;
one by knockout and three on ad
verse decisions by referees
Willard in his four years in the ring
has met twenty-nine opponents, these
battles totaling 205 rounds. His rec
ords include seventeen victories by
knockouts and five by decision. Three
no-decision, one draw, one bout lost on
foul and two by being outpointed
complete Willard S ring figures. Accori-
ing to these tabulations Wizards per-
centage of victories is 1853 to John
son s .692 and his percentage of knock
outs .5S6 to the champion S .320.
In the class of opponents met, how
ever, johnson has decidedly the better
record. Because of his lengthy ring
career the names of a majority of the
leading heavyweights of the past ten
years are found linked with his in the
annals of the sport. Almost without
exception these same pugilists had been
defeated or had retired from active
boxing circles before the advent of Will
lard. His principal bouts have been
against other white hopes who have
sprung into prominence within the past
two or three years. Against these men
Willard S works has been mediocre. He
fought ten round no-decisions bouts
with Arthur Pelky and Luther McCar-
ty in New York City; lost twenty
round bout on points to Gunboat Smith
in San Francisco and outpointed Carl
Morris in a ten round match in New
York.
The first national tennis tournament
of 1915 will open in New York City
next Fri'lay when the sixteenth annual
indoor championship tourney play is
inaugnrate1. Singles and doubles will
be contested and the winners will be
heralded as the champions for the
present year Entries have been re-
eeived or promised from the leading
players of Boston, Philadelphia, Wash
ington and New York. g. F. Toucharl
is the present holier of the singles title