The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-21
BALL CLUBS LIKELY
TO CLOSE AT ONCE


Only last Thursday Allan Russell. the
New York American pitcher, quit the
club and left to join the Sparrow's
Point tMaryland) plant OF the Bethle-
hem Steel Company At Sparrow's Point
Russell Joined the baseball team. which
already included Hugh High, Wilson
Fewster and Edward Monroe. who had
started the season with the Yankees.
Yesterday some Of the Yankees who
only two days previous had been open
In their denunciation OF Russell !eav-
Ing the club In the thick Of the night
for the pennant were Just as open in
their commentator Of the pitchers
sagacity and foresightedness. He wns
wise boy" was the general trend OF
comment amid a mass Of regret over
recent ref'lsals OF Steel League Offers.
That tho club owners cannot coun,
even on those players who are not sub
5ect to the order because Of their beins
below or above the draft age was indi-
Gated from conversation with one OF
the st. Louis Americans. He declared
that with baseball classed as an unes-
sential occupation he regarded partici-
patton in public games as an unpa-
triotic endeavor even for those who are
not In the draft, and ne did not propose
to be yelled and hooted at every time he
took the field.
You know q lot of fans will go to
games, and at the same time take keen
delight in blatherskiting the players
said the st. Louis worker. And the
worst OF II Is that the blatherskiters
would be justified. for Mr.. Baker has
left no loophole for the ball player. Its
q case of get out. and am going"
The major leagues have accepted the
situation without an outward murmur
Of protest, but regrets are expressed al
what Is taken as an implied imputatior
Of slackerism in the issuance Of such a
drastic order without any previous init
nation Of the Governments wishes. II
was pointed out that twice last sea sor
the ma jor leagues offered to close their
parks IL such action would help In win.
ming the war. but that tho idea was
discouraged.
In this city the most remarkable de.
velopment Of Mr.. Bakers ruling was q
crowd Of more than 1000 at the Pole
Grounds. The fans seemed to regard
the order as unwise and were Of the
opinion that the leagues should have
been given two months grace to COM
plete their seasons.
Ebbets Signing Lads.
The only major league club which
took steps yesterday to I'LL tho places
OF the players who will quit was the
Brooklyn team. Charles H. Ebbets
handed contracts to all the youngsters
who have been practising at Ebbets
Field for the last six weeks.
Ebbets some time ago took UP with
wilbert Robinson the possibility OF be-
ing forced to cali on lads below the
draft age and he gathered quite a
squad OF high school and semi-profes.
sional experts. Robinson took the boys
under his wing and drilled them every
morning that the Brooklyn club was a,
home. Two Of the boys. Sheridan, ar
innelder. and He'll, a pitcher. were taken
on the road. but were sent home early
He'll is with Jersey City Of the lnterna-
tional League. While In the West Rob
inson added several likely looking
youngsters to his roster
Outside OF the major leagues the
Baker decision struck quickly yesterday
The International League and American
Association announced plans for imme-
date closing. while the Eastern League
ended its season with yesterdays games
By DANIEL