Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-01-22
.SPITDALL IS FAST
LOSING IN favor
Leaders In Big Leagues Are
ALI Opposed to This Style
Of Delivery
By II. @. Hamilton

New York, Jan. 22.-The step taken
lby the American association to elimin-
late use of the spitball is destined to
blaze a path of reform in baseball. The
aims of Gov. John K. Tener, president
of the National league; Ban johnson,
president of the American league, and
other leaders in the game may yet be
ARRIVED at in governing pitchers.
Governor Tener was one of the first
to take a stand against the use of the
Ispitball. A pitcher himself, he held that
lit not only was an unnecessary subter-
fuge, but was incanitary and disgusting
to many spectators. Ban johnson has
relieved himself of practically the same
sentiments. There are, in fact, only a
few magnates who really believe the
delivery should be allowed.
| American association pitchers will be
watched with interest during the com
ing season. American association bat
ting records also will come in for close
scrutiny, for it is the contention of
foes of the spitball that the delivery in
terferes with free batting, something
a fan wants to see when he pays for
entrance to ball game.
Prices paid for ball players in recent
days put to shame previous attempts to
get records in high sums. 1t used to be
that $4,000 was tremendous price to
pay for a ball player. There was time
not so long ago when Dan Tipple and
other comers were referred to as beau
ties, with the amount of their purchase
hung onto the front end.
And now. Oh, boyl Grover Cleveland
Alexander was just sold for the price
of days battling in Europe. Wally
Schang and some of his co-laborers in
the baseball field just changed hands
for a sum that Jess Willard would not
sneeze at.
And magnate who offers less than a
fortune nowadays for ball player is in
the piker class.
Harry Frazee has done the very thing
the Red Sox needed done. He IS put real
pep into his catching department
The addition of Schang, without any |
other frills, would have won the pen
nant year ago for the Red Sox. One
capable catcher was all the Red Sox
had. He went through strenuous sea-
son, and Sam Agnew~ is only human
He had to falter a little bit.
There ism It the faintest shadow of a
doubt that the American soldier is the
biggest thing in the American heart.
And nowhere is it more evident than
in sports.
Baseball is practically sacrificing
everything to give baseball to training
camps next spring. The Reds may, in
fact, do their spring training at Camp
Ala, instead of going to
as in the past.
The Braves and Yankees, who have
been playing schedule of games every
spring on their way north from Georgia,
are booking all training camps on the
way for this year.
More bali players are going to be in
the National army before spring rolls
around. And great many OF them are
going to be big leaguers. Baseball
should get its big push in the army
along with other pushes. Baseball, in
fact, should emerge from the big game
more staunch than ever in the hearts of
American sport lovers.
Harry Sparrow is tired of having Yam
kee grips and things battered around
1y baggage smashers. And he evident
y doesn It believe government control
If railways is g<ng to have any good
Effect ON baggage handlers, for he has
made arrangements to have baggage of
he Yankees enclosed next spring in
steel cases.
The new steel cases, Sparrow believes,
also will be easier for ball players to
handle. And ball players, the world
Knows, take no back seats at no time
ior dressiness.
1t is the common belief in baseball !
ircles that Rogers Hornsby has played {
lis last game for the Cardinals. Even :
Miller Higgins, boss of the Yankees and I,
ormer leader of the Cardinals, believes
t.
Hornsby, it is declared is eligible
or the draft, and probably win be ta-
zen. If Bosses Hickey and Hendricks
an pull sufficient wires to get batch
# ball players in exchange for the
-oung star it is believed they might be :
induced to do it. Again, Hornsby. is dis y
atisfied with st. Louis, for he has the f
pinion he can get more money for his
ervices in one of the larger cities.