Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-01-31
AMERICAN ASSN.
WORKING 0UTA
PLAYING CHART
Managers Busy Studying
Time Tables and Calendars
to Hasten the Work.

Chicago, Jan. 31.-With the sched-
ule meeting of the Americans associa-
ton less than Il month away, the
presidents and managers of the eight
clubs today are studying railroad
time tables and calendars with a view
to drafting a playing chart.
The schedule meeting, to be held
in Milwaukee on Feb. %, promises to
be a lively session for instead of ap-
work. out the problems, every club
owner will have his say-so. Thomas J.
Hickey, president of the association,
has advised every club owner to draw
up a schedule and present it for con-
sideration. There will be at least eight
charts and possibly nine offered. as
Hickey is drawing up a schedule him
self.
1--WE have decided to have every
making, so as to avoid all arguments
later in the season that they were not
treated fairly in the, question Of
dates" explained President Hickey.
I'm previous years a committee Of
usually three or our drafted the
schedule and while it always has been
apparently satisfactory to a majority
of the clubs, there inevitably has
been a howl from some one in regard
to holiday and Sunday dates. We hope
to do away with these protests under
the new plan"
Although there has been some agi-
tation for an earlier opening, Presi-
dent Hickey believes that a I40 game
schedule will be adopted and that the
season will start early in May instead
of the middle Of April as in former
years. The decision to abolish the
southern training camp program,
probably will be carried out to the
letter, although some of the clubs,
including Milwaukee and one or two
others, may train way from home.
A. +. Timme, president. Of the Mil
waukee club. contends that high,
chilling winds sweeping off Lake
Michigan make it advisable to train
in some other city. Peoria, Beloit and
Madison have been mentioned in this
connection.
President Hickey. will make a de.
termined effort to stamp out the
"spit-ball' and other freak pitching
standing in this regard, the managers
and eight umpires will be called into
a conference a day or so before the
opening of the season to discuss the
rules.
Il am going to have all of the man.
ayers and umpires meet in Chicago
and go over the entire question thor.
oNoa AS' 81 S4tCiV VII Dc III cACuS0 lOl
a pitcher not conforming to tho
rules" President Hickey said. "I d.
not anticipate any serious trouble a.
the rule was passed by unanimou.
vote. I believe all are now agreed tina
1T will be a good thing. I ccedict tina
producing a lfvelier batting contes
will help the game to such an extern
that no n will ever want to go bacl
to the bic system"
Predictions that the rule will b,
difficult to enforce are not s%eriousl,
cor~ldered by the American associa
ton executive. who maintains that tn,
umpireS will be able to detect an,
tampering with the ball. The first of
tense will cost the pitcher a sos fin,
and the second violation will result i,
more drastic, punishment. The UNI
pires will be instructed to throy
winged" .ba1 ls-balls that have bee
damaged from, the contact with tn
Grandstands or other objects-out O
the game. y
The next call for the army, Presi
dent Hickey believes. will give tn
! II owners a better line on the mum
Der of players who will be lost to tn
military service.
.Io date not many have been tax
en- he said. However, l believe w
!, snail have no trouble in obtainin
/; players under and over the draft az
to supplement those who have de
/, pendants and thus we shall he ali
, 10 maintain a good STANDARD of n1,v