The Washington herald., 1918-05-15
Professional Sport Is
Legalized for the Sabbath
Commissioners Lift Ban at
Conference = Nationals
VIII Play Sunday-Up
to Johnson

SAnody DdcCDah 10 W bS
in Washington
The District Commissioners at a
meeting yesterday raised the Id on
Sunday professional sports in the Dis
trict. The ban on Sunday sports was
lifted after careful consideration on
the increased civilian and military
need of greater Sunday recreational
population Of Washington, and Its
advantages.
A change in the schedule Of the
American League viii be made to pro-
vide Sunday games for Washington.
As soon as he heard that Of the Conn
missioners' ruling, Clark c. griffith.
manager OF the Washington ball team
got busy. and has already arranged
a game in this city for next Sunday,
with either the Cleveland Indians or
the New York Yankees. Griffith
stated last might that advantage OF
the new ruling would be taken, to
bring to Washington games scheduled
to be played in other cities in the
East, in which Sunday baseball Is
still prohibited.
The Commissioners in lifting the
ban upon Sunday baseball have stated
that they feel themselves to be but
following the example Of numerous
other cities in the country, where
the presence Of a great number OF
soldiers and sailors has caused a
revision in the laws governing Sun
day sports. Practically all Of the
large cities of the West allow Sun
day baseball. although 1t is still
prohibited in most of the Eastern
cities.
The game Sunday will be the first
legal professional Sunday baseball
game in the District of Columbia. Al
though there has never been a specif-
ic law on the District statute books
prohibiting Sunday ball games, they
have been forbidden by an amendment
to the police regulations of the Dis
trict. made in the summer Of 1915,
providing that no performance of
any kind in which the participants
appear in costume. and to which an
admission is charged, shall be held
on Sunday
There has been a great deal OF agi-
tation for the IegalizinG of Sunday
baseball. particularly since the in
creased business of the government,
brought on by the war has compelled
it. in its search for more office space.
to take over theaters, dance halls,
and similar places of amusement in
Washington. 1t has been pointed out
also that the legitimate theaters are
presenting their regular daily per-
formances on Sundays. and that the
recreation furnished is needed as
made evident by the crowds that
throng them each Sunday.
Al WaIbauer is sure doing a globe
trotting act, previous to stepping
on the mound for Clark Grifith. as
the young Virginian is now Wichita
bound. Al was only given a chance
to do the batting practice pitching
act on two occasions as he was
called upon to hike to the Western
League club before game time yes
teTday. The Richmond wheeloarrel
will leave here this afternoon for
Lincoln. Neb. where he expects to
pick up tine club. 1t is prophesied
that wally's further venture in
barn storming will result in some
deal which Will benefit the Ma
tionals.
Frank IsbeII. the manager of the
Wichita team is a great friend OF
the Old Fox and he Is expected to
put the finishing touches on this
right handler. Griffith Is only send
ing waIbauer west because of the
emergency call and he still has a
heavy string attached to him. The
Old Fox figures that Al some day
will come through in grand fashion
for him
Early Yingling. whose southpaw
slants rung up a recent victory over
the New York Yankees before he
was placed in the drafted army
walked in on old Fox yesterday
morning. Some mistake was made
by Yingling's local board at Laban-
non, Ohio. in his classification. The
gOlfing left handler Joined the Ma
tionaIs in New York during the re-
cent eastern trip and journeyed to
the Buckeye State to appeal his
case. Yingling was granted this
trial and is now back with the
local club under new draft classI-
fication.
Earl is sure to be one OF Griffs
winning hurIers as his southpaw
hook ball sure fooled the slugging
Manhattan tribe and the turning
back of this club means the "chink'
will have more than a million op-
pOrtunities to show his stock in
trade before the present curtain
falls.
Ray Hansen, from Beloit. Wis, Ed.
die Gharrity's pitching phenom. re-
ported to the Foxy Pilot yesterday
Charity. who is now doing his bit
for Uncle Sam at the shipbuilding
art, highly recommended this young
ster to Manager Griffith. and in his
short workout in batting practice yes
terday Hansen demonstrated enough
natural ability to warrant Griffith
keeping him around awhile.
Charlie Humphrey. the little south
paw from Tate, Ga. who jumped Joe
Cantillion's Minneapolis club last fall.
but who was later reinstated with the
Influence the Old Fox has with the
National Commission, Is expected to
report at the local bailwick today.
Humphrey should prove quite a help
TO Griff's pitching stan. as his left
slants are as good as any that has
been shown by the rockies that Griff
has looked over the past two spring
training camp trips. but his weight
has been his drawback. since the
young Georgian will only 90 the beam
about 40 pounds, and this is consider
ID too light for the going in the big
show.
Clarence Rowland's Champion White
Sox make their initial bow to local
,andom today at the Florida avenue
ball park at 40 p. m. The entire
championship club that dragged down
he pennant last season Is still in
is battle array as Uncle Sam and
ais draft has not injured 1t but at
present standing three are on the pan
md with this trio out Of its make
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