The Washington times., 1918-04-12
CHICAGO FANSARE
WORRYING; CHAMPS
ARE DOING POORLY
Bv LOUIS A. BOUCHER.


Because of their poor work against
Texas League teams, the Chicago
White Sox are beginning to worry
their supporters in the Windy City.
Some fans fear that unless Row.
lands pitchers get down to business
and his batters begin to show form
the team may get away to a poor
start and be left at the post. Of
their first eight games with the
Texas leaguers, the White Sox won
but two. Their work was far below
that expected Of worlds champions.
Last season the White Sox, with a big
bunch OF home games right in the be-
ginning. got away to a flying start. and
yet they did not cinch the pennant until
we'll toward the close OF the campaign.
This year. on the other hand, the cham
pions have eleven home games and
thirty-two on the road. including a swing
around the East. before settling down
for long stay at Comiskey Park.
With the soK pitchers of color. the
hitleSs wonders may find it exceedingly
difficult in getting away from the mark.
Faber alone is doing good work on the
mound. Eddie Cicotte has been getting
his bumps regularly. Benz. Russell and
wolfEang have all been hit hard by
minor league teams opposing them and
now Chicago fans are beginning to
worry lest Rowlands team is doomed to
have a bad seaSon
Everybody IL Interested.
II, by any chance, the worlds
champions have a bad year and
do not repeat, everybody will
be interested, for the Sox 10
the only team not hit hard by
the army draft. II is next to impossible
to dope out the chances OF any other
team in the circuit. so many new line
ups are promised for the fans. Uncle
Sam has already begun plucking good
players from various teams. the Griff-
men. Brownies and Yankees suffering
most, and there is no telling what line
ups will be available for some managers
by July L
However, considering those teams with
the fewest regulars TO lose. q bad year
for the White sox should prove most
valuable TO the Tigers. Red Sox and In
dians. Wavering champions, too. will
boost attendance figures all around the
circuit, for one-sided races interest few.
while free-for-allS always bring in the
money.
Next Tuesday the champions viii open
the season at Chicago, playing four
games with the Browns. The Tigers
open a four-G1Ine series there on April
20 and the three-game series with the
Indians. opening May 6. complete the
eleven home games before June L
Make Them File Bond.
The National Commission is consider
ing the adoption OF a rule requiring all
minor league clubs to file bonds as pro-
lection for the salaries Of players when
ever the clubs see At TO quit in midsea-
son. As a result OF the suspension OF
many leagues this year. there are hun
dreds OF players owed back salaries.
with no chances Of getting the money.
Glass AA clubs will be asked to file
bonds for $4,000. with class A clubs
posting $500. Those Of lower classifica-
ton will naturally be asked to file small
Ter amounts.
This matter Is supposed TO come under
the jurisdiction Of the National Board of
Arbitration. but suspending minors have
done as they wished and now the su-
preme court OF the national game plans
10 mix in the business OF protecting the
good name Of organized baseball