Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-05-13
MAJOR CLUBS NEED
UTILITY PLAYERS
Loss Of Herzog and Zim to
Giants Show Value Of
Good Utility Men on
q Team.
By JACK vEIoCK,

NSW iVlh, Way Sth'ty PieySiS
are worth their weight in gold in the
National league this year.
Though the utility man may be
forced to decorate the long timber
all season, his presence there means
much to the manager, for with the
player limit cut to twenty-five men
the National lcaguers are forced to
get along with as few utility men as
possible, and when injuries invade a
base ball club. capable substitutes
must be shot into the vacant shoes OF
the injured men.
Injuries are just as much a part of
base ball as anything else connected
with the game. Many clubs chances
have been wrecked through injuries to
star players, and the club without
utility reserve strength is up against
serious proposition.
Though the New York Giants were
looked upon and are still figures as
pennant winners in the old league, a
series of injuries to the members OF
McGraw's squad of regulars may
wreck the chances Of the Polo
Grounders at any time. With the line
up intact McGraw has wonderful
machine. But early in the season,
when Zimmerman and Herzog were
both out of the game, the McGrawian
machine failed to hit on all cylinders.
Kilduff and Hans Lobert had to fill in
the gaps, and though the former is a
promising youngster, he is not Her
zog, while Lobert is aging fast and
his leg is giving him trouble,
Manager Mitchell OF the Cubs suf-
fered the worst sort Of luck right off
the reel. Saier's broken leg and
Wortman's busted finger were the big
handicaps. Doyle's ankle, still weak
and indispensable, has given him
trouble, and at any time injuries may
beset the Cubs again and spoil what
chances they have for strong finish.
The acquisition OF Fred Merkle was a
blessing to the Cubs, but they were
lucky to get him, and that bit Of luck
helped to offset the handicap Of
Saier's injury.
Great Utility Man.
In McGaffigan the Phillies have one
| good bet as utility man. The Dodg-
ers have Olson or Mowrey, and the
Braves have Massey, who has done a
good job OF filling Evers' shoes, The
Reds, with McKechnie, and the Cubs,
with Hunter and Zeider, one of whom
will likely be in the game or alternate
on the inheld throughout the season,
are practically held down to the limit.
Miller Higgins subs cannot compare
favorably with his regulars, and there
you are.
In the American league, where the
clubs are permitted to carry twenty.
five men, two extra outhelders and
two extra inhelders can be carried
throughout the season and the mana
gers can also keep three additional
players, referably young pitchers or
catchers who can be taught much on
the bench. In the National, figuring
that club carriers eight pitchers,
three catchers, four regular inhelders
and three regular outhelders, the ad-
dition OF four utility men fills up the
roster to the limit The managers
have practically no chance to hold
onto young players of promise, and If
they have such players and refuse to
let them go, they are handicapped for
utility talent So it is gay lite tor
National league managers this year
when the old injury jinx comes
around.
Curbing the Players.
President John X. Tener OF the
National league was Just beginning
to enjoy the impression that his UNI.
pires were keeping the players well
in hand, when his dream OF peace. on
the diamonds in his league was rudely
shattered at the Polo grounds, Player
Fitzpatrick OF the Braves was the
principal disturber in an alteration
with Umpire Quigley, and was later
fined $50 and suspended indefinitely.
Following the trouble Governor
| Tener issued new set OF laws to his
arbiters. He told them to stamp out
the trouble makers at the first sign
of an outbreak, and hereafter the
squawkcrs will be banished when
they get rough if the governors or
ders are carried out. Banishing play.
ers often works a hardship on ball
club, and as a rule the arbiters are
as lenient as possible. But when
players become unruly there is only
one thing for the umpire to do, and
that is to hang the ancient order OF
| tin on him. In cases of this kind the
| -, an. ners arn nartlu To hlane Thev