The sun., 1918-07-21
BALL CLUBS May
'CLOSEPENNANT
. RACES AT ONCE
Cleveland Official Takes In
itiative and Will Shut Park
Gates This Evening.
RUSH FOR STEEL LEAGUES
Players Seek "Useful" Occu-
patiOns-LOcal Boards to
Decide Cases.

Before the week Is over professional
baseball very likely will 60 into hiberna-
ton for the duration of the war; AS
the result OF Secretary Of War Bakers
decision that the players are amenable
TO the work or night" order. reports
from major league officials throughout
the country yesterday indicated a strong
sentiment in favor Of closing the base
ball parks.
James C. Dunn. president of the
Cleveland club OF the American League.
took the Initiative and announced that
after the games this afternoon he would
shut the gates for the season. The
American League announced that spe-
cial meeting would be held tomorrow
afternoon in Cleveland to decide on
course Of action. while the National
League sent out a call for similar
SESSION here on Wednesday.
From the Provost Marshars office in
Washington came word that there was
NO disposition there to force the ball clubs
to com ly Immediately with the order.
Gen. Crowder declared that Secretary
Bakers decision was a general one. but
that the individual cases Of the players
would have to be handled by the vari-
oue local boards. In the event any board
finds that 1t would entail a hardship on
A player to be forced into some occu-
patton classed as essential II is optional
with that board to permit the player
10 continue in baseball In consequence.
.hould the major leagues decide to make
further progress in their schedules II
may be a month before the full strength
Of the order Is felt
Informal Cameo Planned.
While no official statement was issued
here regarding a probable programme in
the event of the cessation OF the major
LEAGUE races, It was said that an at
tempt would be made by some clubs to
continue on an exhibition basis. 1t was
said that TIE New York clubs OF the Ma
tional and American leagues. as well as
the Chicago representatives OF those or
ganizations, some time ago had discussed
playing three games each week on an
Informal basis. The idea IL to patch up
tie clubs with veterans and men below
the draft age and to play city series
during tho week and intercity contests
on Saturdays and Sundays. No confrma-
ton of such a plan would be obtained and
close followers Of the baseball situation
could not be impressed with the prob
ability of such a programmes working
oft It Is recognized all over that MT.
Bakers decision casts a slur on baseball
as an occupation at this time and Few
players-even II ose who are not in the
draft. will want to be seen on the
fields.
Among the New York Americans and
the st. Louis Americans at the Polo
Grounds yesterday there was DISPOSE
ton to pack up at once and hurry into
some useful" work. Many Of the play
ers got into communication with steel
plants and shipyards. which conduct
baseball teams as part OF the welfare
work for their employees. The steel and
ship plants in many cases took the initia-
tive and telegraphed star players invita-
tons to Join their forces.
Col. Rupert Pessimistic.
Early in the afternoon 1t was reported
that the ST. Louis club would disband
Immediately after the contest. Jimmy
Burke, the manager, denied that the
club entertained any such idea, but, ad-
mitted that some Of the players had an
nounced their intention of leaving for
their homes at once. Allen Sothoron.
the pitcher. and Henry severeid' the
catcher packed up last night and quit
the team.
Among the New York Americans the
spirit was one of watchful waiting. The
players held long meeting In the club
house before going out against the
Browns. and decided to take orders
from Miller Higgins and Col. Jacob
Rupert, president of the club. Col.
Rupert said that he would do nothing
pending the decision of the league. He
was not optimistic over the outlook.
Well. I guess that ends It," he said
when shown a message that the Cleve-
land club would shut its gates. These
are war times and we must obey Secre-
tary Bakers order to the letter. have
wired Ban Johnson that we will abide
BY any decision that the league may
reach. consider 1t entirely a league
matter and the question of shutting
down should not be left to any one club
or small set of clubs Unless we re-
ceve orders to the contrary We will play
Mondays game with the Browns.
Naturally our players are pretty
much upset. but they are willing to stick
BY US until we get definite word as to
when the order goes into effect"
Want 100 Game Schedule.
Col. Rupert was inclined to favor the
plan Of Harry II. Frazee of the Boston
Americans in the event an early closing
Of the parks Is forced Frazee suggested
that the American and National Leagues
cut their schedules to 100 games and
play the worlds series Immediately
thereafter. Since his club is leading the
American League Frazee is very much
Interested party.
II Is figured that the worlds series at
this stage OF the season would prove
even bigger financial magnet than 1t
would be in the uncertain and cold days
or October. Frazee added that since II
required the unanimous consent OF the
club presidents to abandon the schedule
he was quite optimistic regarding the
probable acceptance of his programme.
Charles Weeghman. president OF the
Chicago club. which Is leading the Ma
uonal League and which very likely
would meet the Boston Americans In the
worlds series. advanced a suggestion
similar to Frazee's. Weeghman de-
fnanded that the Cubs be awarded the
pennant II the season were closed soon.
The Steel and Shipbuilding leagues
no doubt will be the haven OF 96 per
cent OF the players. Hundreds of for
mer league performers already are en-
listed with these organizations through
OUT the country. Ever since the major
league seasons opened the Steel and
snip agues have been thorns In the
sides Of the professional club owners,
Who have been forced TO stand by and
sec some of their biggest financial and
playing assets jump their contracts.
Continued on Fourth Pd0e.