The Washington times., 1917-02-11
HECTIC FLUSH HITS
BASEBALL AT LAST
Annual Meetings in New York
Have Unusual Importance
This Winter.
HENRYS CASE PROMINENT
Several Trade Offers Are Sure
to Be Made to Manager
Griffith.
HENRYS CASE PROMINENT
BY LOUIS A. DOUGHER.

Baseball DeglnS To-Day 10 TAKE On
its annual hectic flush. 1t is prepar-
ing for the annual February sessions
Of the magnates and managers in
New York. And there is much to do.
Three important meetings are to be
held. The National Commission, the
National League, and the American
League will convene and decisions of
moment are expected.
The National Commission will con-
slider changes in the drafting regula-
tions, having received appeals from
the International League and the
American Association to that end. 1t
will also discuss new rules for the
worlds series.
New Playing Rules.
Percy Haughton, president of the
Boston Braves, assisted by few 9th
er noble souls, has launched a cam
paign calling for changes in the
playing rules calculated to increase
batting and, therefore, general in
terest in the game.
1t violates no condolences what
ever to say right here that the com
mittee appointed by John h. Tener
will report that the present playing
rules are good enough. But even il
this committee were to report to
the contrary, the American League
would have to concur before any
changes could be adopted. Ban John
son, who is the American league
committee by himself, has no inten-
ton Of changing the present play
ing rules.
Henry's Case COpeS.
Unless Ban johnson suffers
change of heart the case of John
Henry will come before the American
League for discussion.
Manager Griffith and possibly Pres
ident Minor will be in New York this
week to safeguard the case of the
Washington club. The Old Fox will
probably leave Tuesday night for the
metropolis.
John Henry, accused by Ban John
son of fomenting rebellion among
American League players not mem
bers of the Griffmen, r. s~expected 10
be on hand to offer his own srgu-
ment against the car of the diamond.
Trades in the Air.
The February meeting has always
been fruitful of trades between big
league clubs, and the 1917 session is
no different from its predecessors In
deed. practically every manager
wants something for nothing, and
will try TO get it.
Il have no special deals in mind,
says Manager Griffith, but / can
listen to reason. If anything is put
up to me. may consider 1t, though
I'm satisfied with what l now have in
the way of players"
Judging from reports received this
past week or two. several PROPOSE
lions will be put before the Old Fox.
Jones in the Field.
Fielder Jones will be in New York,
angling for three players, a third
sscker. a right-handed outfielder, and
right-handed utility expert. lie is
expected TO offer men for Eddie Fos-
ter or Fritz Maisel. He is also eX-
pected to be turned down in each
case.
Jones will endeavor TO rid himself
uf Eddie Plank, his veteran south
paw; Dave Davenport, his prize WILD
man Of the mound; Earl Hamilton
Ward Miller. and one or two more.
Charlie Comiskey will smile and
Try t. make some sort Of deal for
Jim Scott, who has tired of working
with the White SoX and going 10 bed
early
Jennings May Trade.
Hughey Jennings is still hunting
for capable twirlers and may be in
duced to talk business with either
Fielder Jones or Charlie Comiskey.
Plank or Davenport would fit in well
with the Tigers. but so would scott
l. hnF a
White Sox and the crowns are trying
10 land Harry Heilman, the big util-
ity sluGger, and Hughey doesn't
want to lose him.
1t is barely possible, too, that Con
ME Mack may work some deal IN
volting Joe Bush and Wally Schang,
both of whom have refused to sign
their contracts.
Lewis On the Market.
4 report from Boston has Jack
Barry willing TO make deal that
will send Duffy Lewis somewhere
else. .'TiIIie" Walker former Griff-
man and Brownie, may also change
his uniform.
Lewis is drilling along with the
fraternity. which il not TO Barry's .
The great throwing left .
llElQeE was nBN hI ms DGEl last stdh-
son and may be traced
Chick" Shorten did 80 well when
used last summer that Barry thinks
lie is better than walker. The lat .
ter, like Lewies, IL holding out and,
accordingly, not increasing his pop
ularity with the club owners.
Evers IL Anxious.
Jonny Evers is anXiousIy awaiting
deal that will make him a Yam .
kee, but his anxiety is sure to be
waste effort, for there are several
National League clubs sure to hold .
him in that circuit.
Dave Fultz, head Of the fraternity. /
may be expected TO come forward .
with some sort OF an offer of peace, 4
but he will be turned down cold. /,
Major league moguls have severed |
relations with him and his fraternity 2
The minors are acting in conjunction /
with the ma jors in this attitude.
Though il is not certain, ii Is pos
sible that both big leagues will adopt 1
new player limits. cutting down the 1
number of men allowed with each /
team. This will hit severity many of |
those players who decline to sign up
for 1917.