The Washington times., 1916-01-18
Ainsn1ith Is Signed For
1916 By Grif4Ps Club
Catcher, However, Is Expected To Be Sent to Some
Other Club Before Season Is Very Far
Advanced or Opened
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

Eddie Ainsmith, the Griffmen's
catcher, who is expected to be sent
to some other major league club be-
fore the opening of the season, it
the Old Fox has his present plans
go through successfully, has signed
for 1916. His contract arrived here
today, and was placed away in the
collection which is rapidly mount
ing.
Ainsmith is wintering in Texas,
largely as an aid to better health.
He did not have very good health
last summer, and the physicians
here advised that he stay outdoors
this winter as much as possible.
Just where Ainsmith win play next
year is not known yet but ne seems
70 be through as q member OF the
Washington club, II Charlie SOmers re-
tains his hold OF the Cleveland club, he
may be found catching for Cleveland.
on the other hand he may figure in
one of the deals that Manager Griffith
is endeavorlng TO put through
Sam Rice, the Virginia League
pitcher. has also signed up for 1916
/ Rice is a young fellow with lot of
promise. His first game as a big
lesguer against the Mackmen in Phii-
| adelphia last season was a complete
success, and he made good in several
other trials sftcr that
ReorEanization OF the national "om-
mission, the Supreme court OF base
ball. and elimination of Garry Herr
mann as its chairman. was Spokcn Of
IN an article IN tho Chicago Daily News.
which said:
Dissolution OF the national commits
sion and reorgs niZetion under a new re-
Clne seems to be the plan of the Ameri-
can LeaGue. This includes the passing
, supreme court OF baseball" "
The News quoted President Johnson,
Of the American League. az C9voring
q change in the method Of conduclnE
baseball business" President Johnson
could not be rcnched TODAY for an IN
/ terriqw on the report
tomorrow in Chicago comes the an
nunl meeting Of she schedule-makcTs of
ths big leagues. Ban johnson will rep
| resent his league and Barney Drcyfuss
AMI John Heydler will work for the
| of matter OF course. Al these men
will do Is TO sec thst conflicting dates
will be al few as possible.
Sa5.WN has been offered him for Frank
Baker By tho New York Yankees. He
yg that the New York papers "are
full Of hop. Jimmy IsamnGer. tho
| well-known Philly scribe. cornered Con-
ME and asked him what Bakers future
WAS. Ills answer from Mack was as
/ follows:
Il haven't the slightest idea what his
future will be. ! don't know whether he
Is Going TO MAY next season or not I
surely will not make inquiries about his
intentions Under the terms Of his
thrce-Year contract. which docs not eX-
pire until nest fall. Baker had the OPP
ton OF retiring. Therefore. he could
return to nlc next sprinE and play with.
out the formalltv Of reinstatement by
! the national commission, ] am forced
I to respect his contract.
However, ] hope that | don I have 10
do this would have To pay Baker
S. SD 90 for plsNing with me next season.
and hc isn't worth that TO me at this
tinNr, ! would much rather toy with n
| youth or two who think more of de-
| Veluping into stars than retiring
wouldn't mind having Baker IL he would
! accept a cut, hut the S6,6B6.65 requires
too MANY clicks NJ the turnstiles ia
| gather,
Business does not Justify me in nay
in= eNorbitsnt salaries. / hear whole