South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-02-17

Ed Smith is experiencing consid-
cradle trouble with a number OF
ball players who, through a misun-
derstap ding Of new rules. believe
that they are free agents and can
dicker for jobs. During the winter
the baseball moguls ruled that con-
tracts need not be rendered players
before March l. instead Of Feb. /.
as has been customary in the past.
Apparently many players do not
understand this new rule for Smith
has received letters from several
who believed they were free AGENTS
But upon inquiry the Bender boss has
learned that these men had failed
TO note the March ] rule and were
under the impression. that since
they had not received contracts
previous TO Feb. 1, that they were
free agents.
Smith received a letter from
crack pitcher Thursday morning who
stated he was free to sign with Ed
and was anxious 10 come here.
Smith is anxious 10 get him but told
the reporters that there appeared
10 be little doubt but that the hurler
still belonged TO the big league club
which owned him last season. Still
Ed is going to find out about the
youngste~ and hopes to have him
here this season.
Ed nov has the nucleus of his
ball club with Koehler and Tame
hill. Miester and Withrow, and is
expecting TO receive a contract from
Shortstop Nifnecker within few
days as that young man has accept
ed terms Just at present Ed is
searching for a first sacker and some
pitchers and hopes to announce the
names of at least part Of the pitch
ing staff within a few days
If the schedule will permit Smith
will have the Cincinnati National
league club at SpringbroOk on May
29. He tried to get the big leaguers
here during the training season but
these arrangements fell through and
the Cincinnati management wishes
to come to South Bend on May 29,
an open date.
Prest Schriver of the Wheeling
club, in a letter TO Smith, praises
Catcher Withrow highly, declaring
him to be a promising youngster.
of the backstOp is that the new
manager is a catcher and Will work
behind the plate this year.
This little burg of MuskegCn,
which squeezed into the Central
league at the organization meeting
by means Of real nerve is trying to
make the other towns about the cir
cult look like pikers. Just read
this:
"MUSKEGON, Mich = Frantic
over their opportunity 10 break into
the Central league, and determined
10 show that no city in the circuit
although all OF them are larger, 50
far as population goes, than Muske-
gon. the directors of the Muskegon
club, at a meeting at the Chamber
Of Commerce offices. decided TO To-
cate the local park Immediately ad-
jacent to the southern limits Of the
city.
THE grounds will occupy two en-
tire city blocks. the move necessi-
tating a legal proceeding being
brought in Circuit Judge James f.
Sullivan's court to close Clinton St.
which bisects the property. The
ground occupied the thes venture
alone entails an expenditure OF SIS,
600
This. with the elaborate stands
and other details to be attended to-
will mean an investment of from
$25. 10000 TO $4,000 for Central
league baseball for MuskegOn. an
expenditure never before equalled
it is believed, in the history Of the
national pastime in a city of this
size. as Muskegon's population is
only around the $4,000 mark.
The baseball tract is located
alongside Peck blvd, running be-
tween Muskegon and Muskegon
Heights. which is one of the finest
automobile roads i'm western Mich
igan. 1t is bounded by Peck blvd.
Laketon and HOlbrOok avs, and
Piroch st.
The obtaining Of this ground
would have been an impOssibility
had it not been for the sportsman
like spirit Of the two men who own
ed the property. William Harper
and r d. Smith. The former. who
has been engaged in the greenhouse
business for years, is forced to rae
his home and his plant to make
room for the baseball grounds. He
accepted a price for his portion Of
the tract that is more than reason
able r. u. Smith. an insurance
dealer and real estate man. sold his
part OF the grounds at a SIMILAR
price.
The entire project. which prac-
tically inures the financial success of
Central league pastime in MuskegOn.
was put through by Charles W.
Marsh. president OF the cluS."
Grand Rapids fans are delighted
with the news that Pat Duncan,
former Southern Michigan league