Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
LAJOIE TURNS HIS
FACE TOWARD NORTH
While Other Veterans Trek
Southwark the Frenchman
Goes to Canada.
NEW SCHEME FOR HITTING
BY JACK VEIOCK.

New York, March l0.-Some years
ago a rookie pitcher, facing Larry
l.ajoie, the terrible Frenchman, for
the first time, turned to the arbiter
who was umpiring the bases and
said.
What had l better throw 'im?"
Put 'er in the groove, kid" re.
piled the jokest in the blue uniform
and we'll both duck"
This is a little yarn that has often
been told, but we are recalling it here
because it tells the story of an Incl.
dent the like of which there have been
many in Lajoie's major league
career.
The great Frenchman has passed
from the majors. He will always be
remembered as one of the greatest
players in the game, if not the great.
est batsman of them all for a consecu,
tive number of years. But he will
strike terror to the hearts of the
pitchers no more.
While the major leaguers were
trekking to the southland this year
Larry Lajoie turned his face toward
the north, for he is to manage the
Toronto club in the international
league, and, although he may play
few games, the chances are that
he will stick to the bench and the
side lines for the most part.
Lajoie, at bat in pinch, or in any
other situation, for that matter, was
always a bugbear for the pitchers. The
veterans as well as the verdant ones
feared him. But his trusty old bal
has been hung on the wall.
The mention of Lajoie recalls the
names of several great stars who are
not numbered among the player.
basking under southern skies as mem.
bers of major league clubs.
Bender Drops Back.
Old Chief Bender has been sen,
upon the trail to the minors, ant
Christy Mathewson, who will lead the
Cincinnati Reds, doesn't plan to pitch
for his team. Mordecai Brown, who
is to continue in the game as hurlel
for the Columbus club, according tc
recent announcement by Joe Tinker
is another famous landmark of the
majors who has been swept away.
Nap Rucker, whose name is immor,
talized in Brooklyn, will draw hi.
salary from the Dodgers this year a.
scout, and the time is drawing neal
when other veterans who have starred
in big league Uniforms for years will
follow in his wake.
OF the veteran stars, Eddie Plank
of the Browns stands alongside Of
Honus Wagner as a sturdy oak Of
base ball that de6es the ravages o.
time. But the dawning of retirement
for both of these players can be seer
in the offiing. They will not be major
league performers for long.
A pitchers battle between Mathew
son and Bender or Mathewson ant
Brown is thing of the past. A
ringing hit that brings thousands O.
fans to their feet with a shout fol
Larry Lajoie is now but a memory
And in the places of these stars ar,
younger and clearer-eyed athletes who
have been waiting long time fol
them to surrender.
The bright stars of the day, such a.
Cobb, Sisler, Speaker Johnson
Schalk, Alexander, Chase and few
others, have time before them. One
or all of these players may star il
the majors for many seasons to come
And while they are passing through
the summer of their stardoms, other.
will be breaking into bloom to sue
coed them when they turn into tn.
road taken by Lajoie, Bender ant
Matty.
Base ball has seen some turbulen
times in the last few years. Interna
troubles have rocked the very game
but the sentiments of the fans towart
their idols has not been shaken, AM
the coming and the going of the star
helps to make the kingdom of Oh
Man Swat the greatest in sportdom.
Here's Latest Plan.
One of the most unique plans eve
advanced to increase hitting in bas,
ball has been suggested by Jess w
Orndorff. now real estate dealer il
Los Angeles, and formerly a bal
player in minor and major leagues
During his career in the game h.
played with both Boston and Chicag,
in the National league, and he is
student of the game, both as a playe
and fan.
Orndorffs idea is simple one t,
explain, for it has to do only with tn
outfelders. He would confne eacl
outfeld player within the limit of
circle ten feet in diameter. Eacl
fielder would be compelled by his rul
to remain in his prescribed circl
until the batter hits the ball, when h
would be permitted to chase after it,
The circles would be placed at
reasonable distance from the HON
plate and in, or as near, the cente
of each fielder's territory as possible
This plan, explains Orndorff, woul
prevent the helders from laying TO
the batters as they do under the pres
ent rules, and while it would tend t
develop greater hitting it would ais
create flasher fielding.
Orndorff believes his plan is wor
thy of trial. 1t would require n