The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-02-01
GRIFFC MAY HAVE
MINOR LEAGUERS
Plans Under Way to Suspend
Class IA Circuits and
Take Over Stars.
OLD LEAGUE TO GET MOST
Coming Meeting of Majors in
New York Will Complete
. Arrangements.
By LOUIS A. DoUGHER.

By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.
Washington fans may be offered
the sight of Class IA players cavort-
ing at Georgia avenue next summer,
IL many of the Griffmen adhere to
their promises not to sign 1917 con-
tracts until permitted by Dave Fultz.
Plans are now under way to have
at least two Glass IA organizations,
the International League and the
American Association, to suspend for
one year, pending a settlement. Of
present baseball difficulties. All ar
engagements will be completed when
the big leagues hold their schedule
meeting in New York week after
next.
Manager Griffith will represent the
Washington club at the coming meet
ing, and will agree to take over GER
tain players already signed by the
Richmond and Rochester clubs, of the
International League, providing Ed
Barrow's clubs suspend.
Many for Old League.
Some sixty or seventy OF the best
players in the Glass IA circuits are
available for the big league clubs.'
They will be apportioned among those
teams needing them most. Because
OF the fact that the American League
outfits are in better condition to op-
pose the striking players, the Ma
tionaI League clubs will get NEST of
these minor league stars.
Manager Griffith now has eleven
men signed for 1917. II he obtains
no more signatures, he will have to
take about ten minor leaguers to fill
out his ball club for a season on the
diamond
Connie Mack has only three players
now signed. The Red Sox have about
fifteen. So have the Brownies and
Tigers. The other American League
clubs could start training now.
Giants In Good shape.
In the National League the Giants
are in good shape, having only two
or three men left out in the cold.
The Cubs are also in good condition,
but almost every other club in the
Tener circuit is hard hit by the re-
behous athletes. Most of the minor
league players will have to go to the
National League.
while the magnates are pooh-pooh-
lAAS Oh lain VI a ucNCI LHt1t5Ss
they are working hard to be prepared
for one. They do not intend to be
caught asleep at the switch. If any
large number of players walk out,
their places will Immediately be
filled. and, If the strikers then care to
surrender, they will be given places
in the minors.
Discuss Worlds Series.
At the coming meeting the 1917
worlds series is sure to be discussed.
II the National League is too weak,
through OBJECTIONS of its players, the
title games may not be played at all
next October. If the strike fizzles
out, as it promises, then Ban John
son wants his way.
The boss of the American League
is out for retrenchment all along the
line, including the worlds series. He
would lower the admission prices and
cut the money aIlotments to the play
crs down quite a notch.
Many changes in the playing rules
will also be discussed, but few will
be adopted. II is generally believed
that the game will not be improved
much at this time.
Hal Chase In Line.
As a sample Of the fair treatment
OF players, Hal Chase has been grant
ed a two-year contract for $4,000, the
salary he drew as a Federal Lacquer.
Chase played great ball for Cincin-
natl last season. leading all first base
men and topping the league at the
bat. Garry Hermann, president of
the Reds, declined to cut down a
player who had done his best, even
though his salary was high, but ten
dered him a twO-year contract, which
Hal promptly signed.
Chase is not a member of the play
ers' fraternity. No Federal Lacquer
was allowed to join Fultz's organiza-
ton.
Scott Had no Pledge.
Everett Scott. the Red Sox short
stop. who has signed for 1917, while
a member Of the players fraternity,
was not a signer of the pledge to
hold out this spring, according to
FuItz.
Between 2T5 and 300 players in the
National and American leagues signed
the pledges last season not to sign
contracts until we get our Conces-
sions." says FuItz, land OF this num-
Der the magnates have been able to
show us only three cases where play
-
the Giants; Stanage, of Detroit, and
Prendergast, of the Cubs. Everett
Scott, who has signed with the Red
Sox, belongs TO the fraternity. but he
gave us no pledge. Is there any bet
ter proof of the loyalty of the players
than the fact that, despite pressure,
only ] per cent has proved to be dis
loyal to their organization"
TwombIey Satisfied.
George Twombley, the Baltimore
outfeIder sold to the Braves, has
signed his contract, being satisfied
with its terms This argues for the
probable signing OF Sam Crane by the
Washington club.
Carl Mays, the Rex Sox under-hand
pitcher, is holding out for a raise of
81 400. He got this amount last sea
son, and believes himself entitled to
IL again. Frazee doesn't.
ENnADn IA DINO