Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-23
Review Of Sports
and Athletic News

Who owns Cliff Lee, fomrer pro'ege
OF Frank Boyle. and for two seasons
a member OF the Central Association
champions? This Is the puestino which
is causing concern In Cleveland. Port
land and Washington, and may
lead to a controversy which will not
be settled until 1t Is carried to the
national baseball commission for sol
ution. .....
Before the Central association went
on the rocks last August, Boyle dis
posed of Eunick, Torkclson and Lee
e tho Cleveland club, and the first two
mentioned reported to Dunn's c'uo
when the Marshalltown team dtsbandcd
At the time, however, the Cleveland
club did not need Lees services and he
was permitted to return to his home in
Denver with tho understanding. be-
tween the management of the ClcVe-
land and Marshalltown clubs at least
that he would be called for training
this spring.
Lee Joins Portland Club.
After returning to his home, how
ever, Lee wrote to Kenneth Penner
his old battery mate, for the past year
a member OF the Portland club, asking
that he assist him in getting n place
on the Portland team. This Penncr
did and Lee was signed as n catcher
Lee made good from the start and was
considered most promising young
ster by manager and fans alike:
Now Cleveland wants Lee. and sup
ports it's claim with the statement
that it purchased the player from
Marshalltown with the understanding
that he should report this spring. Port
land makes answer to Clevelands
claim by declaring that Lee was signed
BY Portland after the Central associa-
ton had dsbanded. that Lees salary
was not paid by the Marshalltown clup
to the end OF the scheduled season
therefore becoming free agent on the
suspension OF the association, and that
having retained him on the payrool
for the closing weeks Of the PACING
Coast League season, gained title 10
the player, who Is on the clubs reserve
list.
Needed to Complete Deal.
Cleveland had no immediate use Tor
Lee last fall. the inroads made In the
ranks Of the club by the army draft
not extending to the catching stan ana
the outfield. but the statement was
made that his services were desired
this spring that the club might Try
him OUT to determine whether he
would do as a regular on the 1918 club.
The truth Of the matter, however. ac-
Cleveland desired I,ecsfor the purpose
of completing n deal with the Wash
ington American league club. when
was to receive catcher. In exchange
for certain Washington players. WASH
ington needed catchers and Cleveland
did not, but the latter club had sold
short" and had no catcher to deliver
without surrcndcring man who was
essential to the club.
Portland Promises to Fight.
The Portland management has pre-
pared an exhaustive history OF the
case for review by the national COM
mission, and this brief. worded appar-
entity by one verscd in the law, Is eN-
pected to convince the baseball au-
thorities OF the legality and the moral
right OF the claim.
Just how far Cleveland Will go 70
retain title to the player is not known
The main point at issue appears to DC
whether Marshalltown has the right
to dispose OF the players services for
delivery in the spring OF 1913, when
it failed to provide that player with
work until the end of the scheduled
season. Delivery OF Torkelson anu
Euniuk on the suspension or the
league gave Cleveland undisputcd title
but in Lees case the situation Is DIR
fcrent
Rights Of Small Leagues.
Tho controversy only tends to revive
the old question Of the rights OF small
leagues which were unable to weather
the season Of 1917. Secretary Farrel'
notified all league officials early lnst
season, that organizations finding II
impossible to finish the season. might
suspend at any time after mid season
and would still retain title to players
and all rights in organized baseball
II was with this understandings that the
Central association, like many o'hef
small leagues gave mp the ghost. Later
the national commission reversed tho
1llloIlul SCIltA"iN hc'"''N
suspended leagues had forfeited their
rights. including title to players.
While the national commissions
ruling is final It has not been accepted
as a just and equitable decision. cs-
pecially as the commission permitted
the decision OF secretary Farrell to gp
unchallengcd for months, and when
the war cloud Is lifted 1t Is expected
to prove the foundation for con-
trovcrsy which may result in the d.
vorccmcnt OF minor league administra
ton from the national body.
Leo Hero Of Portland.
Lee Is popular In Portland. where
he made an excellent showing in the
closing weeks OF the Pacific Coast
league campaign. de was regarded ms
n find and predictions have been made
that another season would be his last
In the minor organl zations. Lee was
used as a backstop by the Portland
management and more than Justified
advance notices of his ability. Tile also
made a good showing with the hck-
DRY.
Whatever the decision OF the ma
tlonal commission In his case Lee Is
sure Of place In class ALA ball at
least and his work g: Portland. Glove
land or Washington will be followed