New-York tribune., 1917-12-25

ers assures 20 Greater New YORK IAN
dom the opportunity OF seeing all
three local major league clubs in ae-
tion before the regular season-pro-
vided, Of coursc. that md.April wealth
er is propitious. The Giants always
have made il practice 20 come home
late. Those in control Of the destinies
Of the National League champions be-
lieve IL best policy, as a rule, to ring
up the curtain on the big time stuff.
They figure early games detraet from
the main issue.
Giants Open at Home
The Giants this year will open AZ
the Polo Grounds; at least il is the
turn Of McGraw's men 70 do so. Bus
the team will conclude i.s joint exhi-
btion tour with the Cleveland Amer
leans in time to reach the big town the
Sunday night before the scheduled
opening. As the Yankees and Dodgers
already will have rung up the curtain
on the exhibition programme locally, tho
Polo Grounds Idols will be prepared to
cut in on the last engagement of their
rivals with doubie-header at Brush
Stadium.
Just what .he local openings will bs
is not known at least FOR publication.
To the club owners, even, 1t is sup
posed 20 remain mystery until after
the meeting Of the joint schedule com
mittee. This committee will convene
, some time during the week that the
National Commission holds It's annual
meeting in Cincinnati, January next.
When and where the Joint schedules
committee meets is OF secondary inn
port. The fact remains that IL does not
take a magician to determine schedule
openings. From the days since peace
was established between the National
and American leagues opening dates
and other plums have followed well
defined course. Every fourth season
has found the same clubs of both
leagues booked up as rival attractions.
Perhaps the fact was due to the desire
Of the schedule trainers TO take the
line of least resistance. Furthermore,
over span Of four years, IL was
lbhhu tHdl teHpeNllNc HllthEc Dtl-
anced almost TO a nathen atical perfec-
ton.
There is a possibility, of course, that
the schedule makers may get sore at
this criticism and dust" the old rou-
tine draft right In the eye. Tt must
also he remembered that change may
be necessary from the fact that the
seasons opening next year will be
about week delayed, and that the
circumstance may throw out OF align
ment the various big holidays Memo
rial Day, Fourth Of July and Labor
Day. Heretofore the schedule has
been made TO ft these holidays, not the
holidays the schedule
Old Relations Disturbed
IF the routine draft is followed,
Brooklyn, like the Yankees. will draw
an opening away from home. What is
left Of the Phlles will make their bow
in New York, Miller Huggins's team
taking care at Shibe Park Of what re-
mains 10 Connie Mack. That would
send the Dodgers TO Boston. OF course,
it may develop that Brooklyn will open
in New York. Interborough relations
were disturbed by force OF circum-
stances during the last Ave years.
Brooklyn was forced 10 drop its regu-
lar ! at the Polo Grounds one sea-
son cause Of a schedule mix-up that
gave the Yankees two successive homs
openings. This oversight was squared
by booking the Giants at tho Polo
Grounds the two years following.
Ban Johnson always has been tic
schedule committee for the American
League. President Tener. Secretary
Heydler and Barney Dreyfuss, as
usual, will act for the National League.
Barney is anxious TO have the com.
mittee visit Pittsburgh this year i'm
meuiately after the annual meeting OF
the National Commission. A move
ment is afoot on the part OF Ban
Johnson, however, TO have the schedule
draughtsmen Journey to the Dover
Hall Club, near Brunswick, Ca, for
the work
Col. Jacob Rupert, president %
the Yankees. kept his ear so close 70
the ground trying to get a rumble out
Of Miller Huggins. his new manager,
that he caught severe cold and was
confined to his homo yesterday.
The colonel has almost given up
horc Of anybody in the American
League playing Santa Claus 10 him.
Higgins has been in 81. Bouis for
several days attempting 70 arrange q
deal for players who might strengthen
the local. American League club. II il
said new angle has developed in
which the phenomenal first basemsn,
George Sisler, once moro figures.
Mr. Rupert had his heart set upon
securing Derrill Pratt, OF the Browns.
to play second base for the Yankees
next season. To man up a tree me-
got!atiors have proceeded little fur.
Their than where they stood last JuIy.
when Wild Bill Donovan might have
landed the coveted keystone guardian
for . comparative song. At that time,
It is said, Pratt might have been had
for Frits Maisel and a small cash con-
sideration.
Ball Fears Consequences
IL is known that in Chicago recently
New York was prepared to 90 much
further FOR Higgins than IL was for
Donovan. Not only Maisei, but Fisher
and Nunamaker would have been turned
loose for Pratt. But Phil Ball seems
to have got cold feet after he ree.iyed
clippings from the Philadelphia papers.
panning William +. Baker and Connie
Mack for running what was left OF the
major league clubs Of Quaker Town.
Fred Toney, star pitcher Of the Gin.
cinnati Reds, Is In trouble Of apparent.
ly serious nature for an alleged 1t.
tempt 20 escape military draft. II
Toney Is guilty as charged q striking
example should be made Of him. Base.
ball 10 and always has been clean. The
profession has no reason 70 feel
ashamed Of what it has done for ths
country In its hour Of strsss. II Tonsv
resortsd 10 subtsrfuge to avoid the
grave responsibilities Of citizenshiv
mona nuiekAr than fha arafs..i.-I