The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-08-28

CLEVELAND, Aug. 21.-More than
forty basebaIls were used up in the
Monday game between the Grihrmen
and Cleveland Indians as the result
OF experiments by Jim Shaw, Fred
Coumbe. Ed Klepfer. and others who
tried to get away with the stun that
wins for the Chicago White Sox when
Cicotte and Danforth are pitching.
Jim Shaw and the Cleveland pitch
ers mentioned in the foregoing oper-
ated the so-called "shine BALI in vio-
lation OF n league rule which specifi-
cally states that eny pitcher who
deliberately discolors a ball shall
be fined IS for the first offense. and II
this. is repeated be removed from the
game.
The shine ball" Is a half brother
to the splitter. The pitcher saturates
his glove with some sticky prepare
tion and rubs the ballS at the seams
with this stuff Then he shines UP
the reverse side OH. his trousers, the
result being weird dips and shoots,
also q badly discolored pill.
Imposed No Fines.
So "a: as known there we're no fines
imposed by Umpire Hildebrand Mon
day, bu; the Cleveland pitchsrs-weTe
trying this stunt and getting away
with II. Jim Shaw was also declared
guilty, but GriTith's alibi was to the
AFFECT that Shaw merely pitched ball
which was nicely doctored W by the
Tribe slAbmen.
That the Nationals won the game
was because walter johnson entered
the arena In the NTH Inning to relieve
Jim Shaw, who was as WORLDLY as
sailor on shore leave. Johnson did
not need to throw the Shine ball" 1t
was getting dark and Walter had his
old time speed with him.
The score. IL to 0, indicates a hard |
fought game. II was a tough old /
scrap until Johnson and CovelesEie
had supplanted the SINNERS" Then
the hitting and run getting ceased.
Getting back to the "shine ball"
Well informed baseball men declare
that the American League will legis-
late against 1t before the 1918 season
opens, pointing out that II Rabe Ruth.
Walter johnson, and other speed men
try to monkey with II. somebody will
be killed. Umpire Hildebrand threw
more than a dozen balls out OF the
game here Monday at the request OF
different batters. and in one instance
Catcher O'Neill, OF the Redskins.
Gives IL the Laugh.
Grifr is giving the latest transfer to
Baltimore OF the Washington fran
chise the merry laugh. He declared
that somebody was trying to make II
tough for him in the Capital, some |
trouble maker. Also that the Griffmen
would open the 1918 season on the |
Nd haF
with one more right hand hitter in
the outfieId he would be in a position
to give everybody n battle.
81 had a long talk with Ban john
son in Chicago last week. said he.
"He assured me that the league has
no intention of transferring the
Washington franchise. Johnson has
to say as to how the
affairs OF our circuit are conducted,
and / am not worrying"
Buys n Pitcher.
Cleveland has just purchased Pitch |
er Chester Torkelson from the Mar
shalltown, Iowa, club. Torkelson. is
the young man tipped off to Griffith,
but turned down because Trainer
Mike Martin, who looked him over,
said he would not do because he did
not possess a fast ball.
Torkelson pitched to the Cleveland
batters in practice yesterday, and
had SO much speed that most OF the /
boys were stepping back from the
plate. "He did not have II when l
saw him." said the mayor OF Cherry
dale. so now the question is asked, /
DOCS Mike Martin know a real pitch
er when he sees one?"
Guy Morton will oppose George /
Dumont or Jim Shaw in the farewell |
game the Washington club plays