Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-03
DATE FORT RAF TING
MAY Be SET BACK
Minor Leaguers Hopeful Ma
tionaI Commission Will Grant
at Least One Request.
NO PRO FOOT BALL LIKELY
By R. DENMAN THOMPSON.

BY r. DENMAN THOMPSON.
Hope of some relief for the minor
leaguers at the hands Of the national COM
mission is entertained as a result Of the
conference in Cincinnati. The class AA
magnates are none too optimistic that the
draft will be eliminated and they have
asked, in the event they are turned down
in this respect, that the date of the draft
ing period be set back from September
Is to September rs.
Under the present rules a team in the
thick Of a pennant fight often loses its
star player when he Is most needed, In
the home stretch of the race. Managers
with q chance for the championship con-
tend this Is a grave injustice, and If the
IA circuit owners win not feel that their
efforts to improve conditions have been
unavailing
AS was forcasted August Hermann
was reelected president, and John E.
Bruce. secretary, of the national COM
mission for the coming year. The
commission listened courteously to the
suggestions OF the representatives OF
the National Association Of Minor
Leagues regarding territorial rights,
classification, reservation, farming.
ETC.. and promised to give them "care-
full consideration"
Presidents Hickey and Barrow today
resumed their conference on the sub
1ect of the interleague series between
the American Association and the In
ternational League, and are expected
shortly to definitely announce their
plans.
The report to the effect that certain
base ball owners are planning to uti-
lie their ball parks for professional
foot ball may well be doubted. A
LEM fAh hot o1,ov
Of diamond moguls are considering a
plan to back financially a league of
national proportions and to have as
the nuclei for the teams those ball
players who also are foot ball stars,
the other players to be college grad
yates.
The plan in so far as it would mean
q greater return on the investment in
the ball parks. is interesting, but the
prospect of any base ball manager
s.nctioning the participation of his
players in a game in which broken
bones and torn ligaments may be ex-
pected Is not bright. Base ball play
ers now are prohibited by nearly all
ball and other strenuous sports in the
on season. because of the risk of in
jury. and foot ball Is one of the most
strenuous Of games. :
Fred Mitchell. the new manager of
the Chicago Cubs, has a real task on
his hands to make a go Of it with the
hybrid Northumberland League outfit
let out, but there are few who know
him who doubt his ultimate success.
resident Weeghman considers Mitchell
"a base ball wizard"
George stallings. manager Of the Bos.
ton club. shows what l think Of him."
Weeghman 10 quoted as saying. II could
have had stallings II had wanted
him. stallings probably could stir up
season. but Mitchell. 1 think, will
arouse more at the finish
stallings himself says Mitchell is one
of the smartest base ball men in the
cuisines. today. and this. coming from
gest boosts the new Cub pilot could
have. Mitchell Is student of the
game. He is quiet and unassuming. but
a,s nrm blue eye, broad shoulders ana
ton and persistence, qualities every
base ball manager who succeeds must
Tom J. Hickey, recently again elected
president of the American Association.
after an intermission of several years,
knows his business. Evidence of this
is afforded in his announcement that
preme. on the ball field next season. The
indicator handlers have a pretty tough
job OF 1t during the summer months,
a. az the majority Ct players ,s ride ether them
arbiters being forced to stand for abuse
at times. Ban Johnson's policy in
making the word of the umpires law
has redounded greatly to the benefit of
ayowed intention of backing the A. A.
umpires to the limit will be welcomed
by patrons of the game.
marvel Of Great Britain, who recently
knocked out Young Zulu Kid in the
twelfth round of their scheduled TWEEN
ty-round bout in London, may be seen
in ring in this country soon. Ger
tain British boxing promoters have
been in communication with Tex Rick
ard concerning Wilde, and Rickard is
anxious to have the British f1ywefght
champion come here.
A direct offer to buy the st. Louis
National League club probably will be
made by Robert Quinn, formerly of
the Columbus club. within a day or
two, according to report from Cincin-
natl. II so. it will be the f1rst offer
since the close Sc OF last not ct
contrary. Mrs. Helen E. Britton. owner
of the club, Is authority for this state
ment. Quinn will make sure that an
outside owner will be welcome. how
ever UeIOFc ne OpchS ucSOtidtiOHo
is quoted as saying:
III I am assured that there will be
little or no opposition by the fans to
an outsider coming into possession of
the club I believe that negotiations
will consume very little time.
I am after the club and believe II
can make a proposition that will be
looked upon with favor by the present
owners. However. II any antagonism
to our buying the club is shown by
the ct Louis public it would be mad
ness to take over the club"