The Washington herald., 1916-07-19
Washington Will Be in League
as Long as We Have
League, He Says.
OTHER SPORT GOSSIP
Chicago White Sox Here Today for
Observation-Disclosures and
Boehlng to Pitch.

las long as there Is an American
League, Washington will be a member.
This stun about the Washington fran
ehise being transferred to Baltimore or
Gny other city is all rot-I am perfectly
satisfied with Washington, and you can
quote me as saying So
President Ban johnson. Of the Amer
lean League, quietly dropped into town
yesterday and witnessed the game be-
tween the Nationals and the Indians.
The statement printed in the foregoing
paragraph was made to the writer last
night
Mr.. johnson continued by saying: "Our
league Is putting up a wonderful race.
would not dare to venture an opinion
as to the pennant winner. Take WASH
lngton, for instance, Griffths bunch is
less than four games away from the
first place team 1t looks to me as If
any one Of a half dozen clubs stand
chance to capture the bunting"
The severe criticism heard from GER
tain quarters anent the umpires, especial
ly O'Loughlin and Hildebrand, was pass
ed of with a laugh by the big chief. who
said: Il saw Roth kick on a decision at
second base when he was out by several
feet Two Cleveland players also kicked
on strikes, but from where I sat, Hide
brand gave the correct decisions"
President Johnson will remain in Wash
ington for a couple OF days. He is here
on one Of his annual tours and expects
to visit Philadelphia and New York be-
fore returning to Chicago.
The Chicago White Sox will be our
guests here today. starting a series of
six games which will be played during
the next four days.
There Is doublA-baadar tLo
for this afternoon and also tomorrow,
80 first game starting promptly at 2
o'clock.
Joe Boehling and Walter johnson will
probably do the pitching for the Nation
ais. Just who will oppose is not known
but WOlfgang and Russell may be sent
to the mound.
Eddie Foster, in the eighth inning yes-
terday. made a play which was probably
unnouced by the crowd, but which
sparkled with briIliancy, and incidentally
showed that Foster possesses consider
able gray matter in that head Of his.
There were two out, a man on third
and Turner at bat. AS Gallia was wind
ing up to pitch. Foster started on the run
toward first base. He placed himself in
position to pull down Turner's low liner
and retire the side, a play which no liv-
from his usual position.
Foster watched Turner shift his feet
to hit to right field and figured that he
would try to shove the ball to that ter
ritory. Eddie figured exactly right, and
his catch saved at least one run and DOS
sibly the game.
How many infielders use their brains
as did Foster yesterday?
In connection with the doinzs Of the
Cleveland club in the eighth it might be
mentioned that Danny MoeIler made a
swell catch Of Iris Speakers long drive
to start the chapter. Danny had to chase
after the ball for some distance. but he
pulled it down nicely.
Sam Rice justified the confidence placed
IN MIN by Manager Grimm when he
started his first game as an outfielder
Rice came across with a double and sin
gle out Of four times up and caught a
couple OF fly balls.
SANS second hit was a high bounder
at Chapman and his speed enabled him
TO beat the peg to first base.
It may be that Griffith has finally
added the necessary punch" to his club
and that as an investment Rice will turn
out to be real outfielder, although he
was purchased as a pitcher.
Speaking Of pitchers who quit the box
to play the outfield. there were two out
at National Park yesterday, Iris Speaker
and Jack Graney
Baseball history recounts MANY
moundsmen who developed into great
out6elders.
Manager Lee Fohl sent up a couple of
pinch hitters in the ninth, Smith batting
for O'NeilI and Howard for Gould, but
neither could hit a lick against Bert
Gallia.
Five out Of six from the Chicago White
SoX would put the Grinmen once more
near the top. Let's scare up a good big
crowd to root for the home team.
SPORTING Editor The Herald: Does a batter
make "bOue" play when he carorns the ball
OF pitchers shins? / am, believe me-
CONSTANT READER.
Answer-we do bclieTs you
WILLIAM PEET.