Evening star., 1915-12-29

Ball clubs are not going to tie them
selves up for couple of years with
some doubtful material which will
draw six OF seven thousand dollars a
season for a couple of years. The day
of the long-term contract is ove- any
way-that is the benefit which the
peace pact was expected to bring
about.
If Harry Sinclair expects to get his
money back by the sale of these play
ers he is very apt to find himself very
much in the hole. 1t has been admit
ted from the outset that only about ten
or twelve of the entire Federal oatnt
stands a chance of being of abiilty
enough to hold their own in fast com
pany. What is to become OF those VINO
are probably nothing more than MINOR
leaguers is not plain.
simn1v because he had the distinction
of leading the Federal League IN bat
ting last season, Benny kauh' the
Brookfeds' outf1elder, seems TO nave
very good opinion of himself. he seems
to be under the impression tnal' re.
gardless of which of the major leagues
he will enter. that he will drive All
the pitchers out of business. and, In
cidentally, he contends tnat he is a
free agent and will sell himself 10
whatever club will pay MIN the big
gest bonus.
IT will be well for Benny" to face a
few of the major league pitchers be
fore he starts building up a batting
average. The place to get an average
will probably find himself a mighty
busy fellow breaking into the 800
class, Notwithstanding all the conf
dence he is giving vent to- The balls
in the major leagues are of regulation
make and do not contain a couple of
ounces Of rubber, as did those the Feds
used. Benny will wise up to this fact
II he gets a trial in fast company, and
he will also find that there are Whole
lot Of pitchers who can put something
on the ball.
Tim Gilmore, president of the late
Federal League. Is again about, Great
ing Impressions. The latest is that ne
will not deny the rumor that ne Is 10
become chairman OF the nat1onal COIL
Mace. Just how this, report got un-
der way is not known, but there Is just
about as much chance OF 1t taxing
place as there Is for the Feds to give
Gilmore million dollar pension for the
brilliant showing he made at the nead
of the defunct organization.
Ty Cobb very wisely does not intend
to take part in any base ball games
during the off season. In letter 10
President Navin. Tyrus says that WINE I1
he has had an offer to play winter ball
at New Orleans, he has turned 1T down.
Cobb argues that he gets all the base
ball he wants during the regular sea-
son and that he needs the rest he gets
during the off season. He puts In lots
of time hunting, so keeps himself in
perfect condition without touching
ball, and he believes that by doing this
he will keep himself in the game for
many years He argues that to be ac-
tive in base ball too much OF the year
means a slowing up of the limbs, and he
realizes that these are one of his great
est assets.
Eddie Cicotte is one of the former
PLAYERS under Jimmy" Callahan who
is sure that Jimmy" will make good at
the head of the Pittsburgh team Cicotte
hands out the following boost Tor his
former manager:
Callahan is fine fellow personally
and a manager who knows a lot OF base
ball Jimmy is a rough and ready sort
of person, and he can lead team of old
ball players. expect him to shove that
club close up in the 1916
National League pennant race, and 1t
wouldn't surprise me to see the Pirates
finish ahead"
Cicotte pointed out that Callahan
failed to produce a winner in Chicago
because Of his inability to get the best
work out Of collection of youngsters.
Outfelder. Jimmy" Johnston of the
Coast League signed with the Brook
feds after the coast season ended. Eb-
bets of the Brooklyn club conferred
with Johnston while touring on the
that the player will report to the
DodHera in the spring and will proye