The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-04
Gaints' Secretary Believes His
Plan Fairer Than Ebbets'
For Players.
GIBSON WANTS TO REPORT
Veteran Backstop Decides to
Play Ball With New York
Club at Last.
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.


change in the methods of drafting
goes by the board-and it promises to
meet that harsh fate-it is possible
that another scheme, springing in the
fertile brain of John B. Foster, Sec
rotary of the New York Giants, may
receive more favorable treatment
Fosters plan is for the sixteen ma
jor league clubs to send representa-
tives to the draft meeting. Which
league to have first choice of play
ers would be decided by lot. If The
American League, for instance, won
the toss, the names of its eight clubs
would be thrown into a hat. The club
whose name was drawn from the hat
first might have its choice of any
class IA player. If this club wanted
no player, the second club would be
allowed fits choice. i
After one player had been taken by
an American League club, the Ma
tional League would have its chance,
going through the same proceeding
as to the hat and the names of the
clubs The two leagues would al
ternate in their choices thereafter.
With all sixteen clubs choosing
players, the draft would continue on
down into the lower classifications,
Inc lcdIilS hOlulhS Int pOSlNAOho
in which their names were originally
drawn from the hat.
Unfair To Players.
Foster, who was a baseball writer
in New York for twenty years before
becoming secretary of the Giants,
thinks that Ebbets' scheme is unfair
to minor league players. Ebbets
would have tailend clubs pick first,
and then go on up to the pannant
winners.
Under the Ebbets plan" says
Foster. "the player is given no con-
sideration.
The draft ceases to be a lottery
and all element Of chance is taken
from it Last fall only eight players
were drafted from the three Glass
IA leagues, which under the Ebbetts
draft plan would mean that all of
thu would go to second division
clubs.
some major league clubs are
chronic tail enders-at least chronic
second division clubs-and the minor
league stars would know in advance
their only escape from such clubs
would be by purchase. All hope of
playing with one of the better teams
best players in the minors would go
to the seventh and two eighth place
clubs. Is that fair to the player?"
Gibson VIII Report.
George Gibson. for years the Pitts
burgh Pirates maih backstopping
brigade all by himself. has decided
to report to the Giants next spring.
Gibson is now on McGraw's ineligible
list. having refused to join the team
on his release by the Pirates last
summer. Before being rendered a
contract, Gibson will have to be de-
-clared eligible by the national COM
mission. He called upon the Giants
secretary in New York yesterday.
seeking information.
Gibson believes himself still able
. to go behind the bat, but IL McGraw
signs him 1t will probably be more
for his coaching skill than his CATCH
ing ability. Bill Rariden and Lew
Mccarthy will be called upon for
most of the catching next season.
but "Gibby" is a brainy veteran who
may do much for young pitchers.
Cardinals VIII Cut.
The st. Louis Cardinals. Joining
hands with the Braves, expect to cut
$4,000 of the payroll for 1917.
. Bob Bescher and Frank SNYDER are
now under contract, the first getting
$500 and the second $1,000. both
wartime contracts Every other
member OF the team must sign anew
for the coming season. Miller Hug
gins will chop down many a high.
salaried performer who failed to ner-
form last season.
It is said that Jack Miller will dron
from $1,000 to a pittance OF az 50o
that Bill Doak will lose SO much
money that he will hardly have
strength left to sign his pay check
and that Wilson, Butler, and Beck
will not have to report to the Cardi-
malls at ALL These are, parlous DAYS
for the players.
international Quits.
During the annual meeting of the
ed. with loud outburst of trumpets.
that war would be declared by Ed
Barrows' organization on organized
baseball, IL the International had to
pay that $1,000 to Charlie Ebbetts
for his good offices in the recent Fed
eral League invasion.
AtN ud9S inc We" 81
baseball writers went insane. They
pictured another war, with all the
minors cutting loose from the major
leagues. and the whole darn struct-
ure of baseball falling apart.
Tuesday. when the Internationars
representatives approached the Ma
tionai Commission, the class IA or
ganizations ate humble pie. They
quit cold. They had heard Ban John
son.. y
Ban johnson, president of the Amer
lean League, is the main power in
baseball. When he heard OF the In
ternational's threat to cut away, he
growled. The threat died into a mere
whisper. No sooner had the minors
heard Johnson than they decided to
stay in the parade.
It is doubtful IL y man in base
ball possesses the power, and uses it
as wisely as Ban johnson. Leading
the strongest organization in the
game, he displays the greatest wis
dom in all his actions. But for him,
the National Commission would de-
generate into a joke in one season.
He gives II whatever backbone it may
have.