The New York herald., 1921-10-18
ruth STILL DEFlES
RULES OF BASEBALL
With Meusel and Piercy He
Plays in Elmira Before
Small Crowd of 1,500.
DECISION SOON BY lands
Size of Hat Man Wears to
Have No Effect on Pun
ishment Inflicted.
DECISION SOON BY lands

Babe Ruth, king Of baseball home
run hitters, yesterday continued his
defiance of the rules of the game
which stipulate that world series
teams must disband Immediately after
the last contest, by playing against
a local club in Elmira. N. Y.
Judge Landis, High Commissioner of
Baseball. ,in whose hands rests the en-
forcement of the rules. said, according
to a special despatch to THE NEW
YORK HERALD from Chicago. that after
he had disposed of a few pressing
things he would make decision. ac-
companied by a statement showing
what "sort of a gentleman he (Ruth)
is," believing so positively in the en-
forcement Of the rules of baseball that
he has not "the slightest regard for
the size of the hat the man in question
wears"
In addition, The owners Of the Yam
KEGS issued statement in which they
regretted that the rule prohibiting
members Of world series teams from
playing exhibition games has been
violated so defiantly by some Of the
Yankee players and that Judge Lands
has no alternative but to meet the sit
uation firmly.
Ruth still II Defiant.
In Elmira Ruth. together with Bob
Muesel. outfelder. and Bill Piercy.
pitcher also of the Yankees, played
against local club before a small crowd
OF 1.500, and won by 6 to 0. Ruth and
Meusel each knocked two home runs.
Ruth repeated his defiance OF COM
missioner Landis's ruling that the
Transforming" expedition was contrary
to the contract OF TIE players with the
National Baseball Commission. He de-
clared that he desired no controvershy
with Commissioner lands: that his
contract with the Yankees had expired /;
that he did not propose to talk Of new
contract until some time In the winter,
and that he and his teammates were
merely using their talents to increase
their incomes.
Ruth and his team. under the man.
agement OF Harry Phair of New York.
left Elmira for jamestown, N. Y, to
play another scheduled exhibition to-day.
Ruth has either a heavy fine or sus-
pension coming to him for violating the
laws of baseball That much was gath
cred from Judge Landis on his return
yesterday to Chicago from New York.
Judge Lands has not decided on the
punishment to be meted out to the slug
ger and said he would not get aro1nd
to II for two or three days as he had
other affairs more important on hand.
II have in my possession a consider
able number Of documents bearing on
this matter" said the Commissioner II
will give them my earnest attention at
the earliest possible moment and will
determine then what penalty should be
inflicted for this violation of the rules
Of baseball"
You believe In the strict enforcement
OF the rules OF the gamer" the Judge
was asked.
Positively. and without the slightest
regard for the size of the hat the man
In question wears" he replied.
Did you refuse to talk to Ruth on the
telephone and deliberately hang up on
him twice. Lands was asked.
did he say that? I notified him two
weeks ago that the rules of baseball rro-
hibited world series contestants from
participating in transforming exhibitions
That is all ] care to say now until !
make decision, when ! shall show In
my statement what sort of a gentleman
he is"
Owners support Lands.
Col Jacob Rupert and Col. Il. T.. Hus-
ton OF the Yankee baseball club gave out
the following statement last evening,
II Is regrettablc that the rule of
baseball prohibiting members of the
tre. IL. A.
hibition games has been violated so
defiantly by some OF the Yankee play
ers that Judge Lands has no alte-na-
tive but to meet tho situation firmly.
This rule appears to be unjust in
many respects. but SO long as II ex-
lists II should be obeyed. The players
made the mistake in not petitioning
for modification OF the rule.
That is all the Yankee off1cials would
say regarding Ruth's action IN playing
on a transforming trip after being
warned by Commissioner Lands not 10
do so This Is the rule Ruth. Bob Meu-
sci and Bill Piercy are violating:
Both teams that contest In the
world series arc required 10 disband
Immediately after its close and tho
members thereof are forbidden 10
participate as individuals or as
team during the year IN which the
world series was decided
AS the Yankee owners have said. II is
a stupid rule and unfair TO members of
ball teams that do well enough TO qualify
for world series. Carl Mays could
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