Evening star., 1918-02-15

Instead of paying $4,000 and $4,000
for players worth hardly one-fourth
these amounts, the major 1eaguers are
lying back to grab them when their
present owners lose title to them.
There are several really promising
youngsters in the International, and
Griffith is hopeful of picking up a
couple, should the league suspend op
erations.
The issue of Sunday base ball. in
New York state will have a direct
bearing on the final decision as to
whether the International will quit the
field. The prospect of the legislature
at Albany legalizing the playing of
games on the Sabbath is regarded as
bright, and in the event this comes to
pass Il strong effort will be made to
put a six-club wheel in operation, with
Montreal and Richmond eliminated 1t
is conceded the organization has no
chance to get by with these two cities
as members, owing to lack of patron
age in them and the heavy travelling
expenses entailed by their disadvan-
ia geous geographical positions. An
other very good reason that the 1eaNue
may strive valiantly to operate is that,
should 1t die. the magnateS will lose
all their territorial rights. in addition
to having their players automa tically
become free agents. whereas if they
start the season and play at least half
their scheduled games the players con-
tinue on their reserve lists. and their
rights to playing privileges in the
cities represented cannot be usurped.
In addition to an infielder to take the
place of Morgan. Griffith is in the mar
ket for a young catcher to round out
his staff of backStopS. The sale last
night to the Boston Braves of John
Henry, which, by the bye. first was
forecast in these columns, leaves the
Nationals with only two windpad art
ists-Ainsmith and Gharrity-and it is
iGHf1th's intention to pick up some
youngster and school him as third
string man. 1t was not an easy job to
obtain waivers on Henry from all the
but in the end Griffs eloquence pre-
vailed. The manager explained that it
was his intention to use the money re-
ceived. the amount of which was not
specified, in obtaining additional ma
terial for his team, if possible.
Henry, although anxious to be located
lin Boston in order to be near his Am
herst box factory. expressed himself as
where he has played since 1910, and
Manager Griffith, for whom he has
warm. personal regard.
Il am sorry to lose Henry" Griffith
said in commenting on his sale. He
is a splendid fellow personally in ad-
dition to being an able catcher. He
always gave me the best he had, and I
am glad of the opportunity to place
him where it will be to his best in
terests.
I'm Ainsmith I have a catcher capa-
, BILE of doing practically all the work,
and that is just what he will do this
year. l think a team is better off with
one first-class backstop working every
day than with two of them alterna ting.
A catcher constantly in the game can
render more effective service than if
he is on the bench half the time. If
| you will consult the records you will
and that every one of the really great
ball clubs has depended on one man
to do practically all the catching
Although Henry now is the property
Of the Braves. he is not yet under
contract. Manager StaIlings left New
York before Griffith obtained waivers
on him. Henry anticipates no diff
boss, however. He had long talk
with him before the sale was effected
and Stallings knows the catcher's
terms.
Henry is a brave man-at least he
thinks he is; and if this season he
does as he has threatened to do he
will prove it to the satisfaction of
all fans. John blew into New York
with three weeks growth of hair on
his upper lip and announced that he
intended to .sprout full sized Char \
ley Chaplin" and wear it throughout
the season. questioned as to Whether
he had the moral courage to do this.
Henry made wager of substantial
sum that he would emulate Candy |
La Chance and other famous old d-timers
and wear a mustache throughout the
season. Harry Harper was made stake
holder. 1t will be remembered that
Henry sported a hirsute adornment
during the training season last spring
and asserted he would retain it, but
the day before the season opened he
lost his nerve and shaved it off. |
Whether John will be able to stand
the gibes of the fans this season is a
question. Personally, we hope he loses
his bet. There's\a reason!
Playing dates for the American
League have been formally ratified, and |
copfirp, the announcement made at |