The Washington times., 1916-01-29

Amateur teams III SleNcldhu ocdt
much of the blame for the failure Of
~ Indians. With a losing team at
Lea que Park, the amateur teams or
Cleveland have drawn phenomenal
throngs One Sunday last summer 1t
was estimated that 100000 fans turned
out to see an amateur game. On an
other Sunday. $1,000 are said to have
seen a game. The Indians, with little
prospect of becoming winner, stand
small chance Of beating out such com
competition.
The principal objection against al
lowing Baltimore to take over the
Cleveland franchise will be the forma-
tion Of a lopsided circuit. Sunday base.
ball cannot be played In Baltimore. ana
with five Eastern teams as against
three Western, Sunday baseball for tho
league will suffer. 1t will be most diff
fcult to arrange satisfactory
schedule.
President Ban johnson will have
something to say before this transfer
is arranged. He may issue statement
in day or so.
Eppa Rixey. former Virginia south
paw, and Lefty" Baumgartner. both
with the Phillies, are reported to be
holding out. RiXey IS an instructor at
Episcopal School. Alexandra. Va.
Baumgartner is studying law at the
hiNeisity Va NiSas''
Manager Griffith today received a
communication from President Ban
johnson concer~.ng the Gedeon case.
but It expressed no hope that the
Griffmen would acquire Gejeon or not
TT was in reply to a personal letter
] wrote him." explained the Old FOX.
81 gather nothing from it as to wheth :
er have much of a chance for Ged =
con or not I'll have to wait while
for that l think"
William A Kerr vice president OF
the Pittsburgh Feds. and Robert >.
Kerr. a director in the club, have been
petitioned into bankruptcy. They are
the contractors who erected the bal
park in Pittsburgh for the Feds. VIII
liam \. kerr's assets are given out
as s32,6q1, with liabilities of sl06,-
25963 His brothers are assets or
s5.S39.71 and liabilities of $5l,95l.65.
'rhey took stock for their pay as
builders Of the park.
Manager Griffith hopes to part with
some Of his disposable property when
the big leagues meet in New YORK next
month. He has at least four players
booked for a change OF scenery, put
there are several extra lads who may
receive new berths before the Old Fox
returns from New York.
Chick Gandil seems booked for Cleve-
land II Charlie Somers retains his con-
troll of the Indians Just what Will ne-
come Of Joe Boehling, Eddie Ainsmith,
and Ray Morgan is problematicaL Inc
last-nsmcd may retain his grip mere
but the other two Boehling and Ain
smith, are almost sure to work with
sumo other club In 1916.
Gandil is the best batsman with
the Griffmen. not speaking of Turn
er Barbers average for few games
last season. There should be little
trouble finding a good berth for him
.ln NrJnnia
comes to effectiveness at first base
At least three clubs in the American
League could use him, Cleveland. St
Louis, and Chicago. while the De
bone" If they bought him GandiI
has become dissatisfied with Wash
ington and has asked TO be trans,
ferred Manager Griffith should
have no trouble finding a place tol
him.
II Boehling will get down to busi.
ness. he would be one Of the best
lef-hand twirlers in major league
baseball Last year. yielding to con
ditions not Of his own making; he
failed to live up to the rules which
will be in force in 1915 and Manager
Griffith is willing to part with him
Detroit could benefit by taking him
Boehling could win lot or game
for the Tigers.
Eddie Ainsmith would benefit by
going to some team playing in thu
North Spending month in the
warm climate of the Capital, John
sons battery mate easily caches
cold when he goes to New York, Bos
ton, Cleveland. and Chicago. On thu
other hand. he belongs in Cambridge
Mass, and II he could get a job will
one of the fve Northern clubs, h,
might easily become acClimated ant
deliver the goods. Poor health ha
bothered him here in Washington
for several years.
II Manager Griffith succeeds in OBJ
taining seasoned second baseman by
means of a trade, Morgan may not b'
retained. II he fails the Baltimore
youngster will probably be given an
other chance to ho!f down the keyston,
corner for the Crifirlen. In connection
with Ray MCrGans status in the Capt.
tai, the followinS penned by the Wash
ington correspondent of the st. Loui
Sporting News Is intcTestilg:
1T is up to Ray Morgan to decid
whether he wants another chance in tn
maior leagues Griffith has written hin
and suggested that he should of his owl
Nolition come here and train at the Y
NJ. c. A. gymnasium, WheC Tranc
Martin is getting Eddie Foster in shap
for next season. Foster does this sor
of work every winter for six weeks q
two months before the season starts
and ID does him 4 world of good, for h
reports ready to play ball when tn
trs ining season opens. He indTlCcs i
handball in the gymnasium. and get
himself right down to weight befoT
he goes TO camp To got ready. and tn
result is that he has an easy time I
round himself to form.
Griffith Wants Morgan TO do THU
but he dneS not want anNth'nS sal
Absut 1t here. lie wants the public