The New York herald., 1922-03-06
AARON WARD READY
TO QUIT YANK CAMP
Second Baseman Refuses to
Accept Club Owners Latest
Contract Offer.
BY CHARLES A. TAYLOR.

/ BY CHARLES A. TAYLOR.
Special Dispatch TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
4 New ORLEANS. La. March 5.-Asron
4 Ward. regular second baseman of the
Yankees last season, Is studying the
time tables preparatory to starting for
his home in Fort Smith, Ark All of
which means that Ward and the Yam
kee ownership have been unable to get
together on the salary question. Mana
ger Huggins presented the final offer Of
the two Colopels. as wired from New
York. to the player. and long debate
followed. which resulted in a deadlock.
Ward said he was far from satisfied and
that while he might talk some more
with his manager this evening. he posi-
lively would not sign the contract Of
fered him.
II do not think have been treated
fairly" said Ward after the conference.
"The first contract mailed to me this
winter did not grant a nickel raise in
salary, and tins despite the fact that /
had piayeo regularly all last season ard
compiled decent fielding and batting
averages. | disregard entirely the fact
that our team won the championship. |
was carried for two years by the club
as a bench warmer. it is true. but | re-
ceived very little money for that. /
didn't expect much under the circum-
stances. NJ hitting was only around
$50 when ] did get into the game. but
last year my hitting showed consider
able improve ment.
81 ann In no sense taking the attitude
OF defying the New York club. am
not trying to hold them up. ] merely
seek what l believe to be a just recon-
pense. l have lowered the amount Of
salary ] originally asked. but the club
has not met me anywhere near half way
in its second offer. I have told Mana
ger Huggins that | would see him again
tonight. but will not sign the contract
as drawn at present"
As Far Authorized.
Manager Higgins said he had gone
as far as authorized by the owners In
the matter and il looked very much
as though nothing could break the dead
lock. as Ward insisted he would not
accept the clubs terms.
II am neither with the owners nor
with the player in such case as this" +"
continued the Miller. who then dis
coursed at some length on the condition
in which the war had left all business
enterprises, including baseball. I'VE must
all get ofr our high perches.' he con-
oluded, "or day of reckoning will sure
~ come"
The frst Sabbath practice was held
and the athletes had fine two hour
workout under a balmy sun. Wally
r..
ard conducted himself as though he had
been tossing the ball about for a week.
lie may feel differently tomorrow when
The old muscles have had time to regis
ter their resentment at being put to work
again. In one respect Wally was in
true niidseason form. He attempted
four bunts and fouled the ball on each
occasion.
Sam Jones was another newcomer. but
the former Red Sox pitcher took things
more than easy He didn't attempt to
throw n ball. contenting himself with
fielding few bunts and chasing flies
in the outfield. Jones looks to be at
about his normal weight and should
round into form rapidly.
All the young pitchers had chance
To- serve balls 10 the batter~. Wilson
Culp. Jolley. Murray. O'Doul. Tecarr and
Quinn working In order To the UNDER
handed Culp fell the distinction of being
the first pitcher TO hit batter. ITinley
Hslnes was the victim. getting one in
the small OF the back. The college boy
thought It n big joke. lie has received
much harder knocks on the gridiron
Manager Higgins again took Haines and
Killirger In hand during .he batting
practice and both seemed TO profit by
Hugs instructions.
Fast Inaeid workout.
Charles O'Leary gathered together
quite nifty inteld to-day with Pipp on
first. Fewster at second. Mitchell and
Ilillinger at short and Mcmillan at
third Iofmann did the catching and
the ball shot around the bases with fair
speed and precision. Mcmillan was
especially lively around the j. Franklin
Baker corner.
The rockies are certainly in the fun
glare of tho old limelight just now with
so large a colony OF veterans az Hot
Springs. Maybe the old fellows will
find their jobs gone when they get here
and maybe not
Camp skinner reached here this morn
ing and visited the park. but did not
get into his togs. This is the fellow who
mas been knocking tne Dali over all the
fences In the Texas League and he may
solve the problem as to who Is going
to start the season IN right field
An entcrprislng New York FAN sug-
gcsted some time ago that an accurate
set of weighing scales would be the
proper thing for the Yankees dressing
room. lie may be interested IN know
ing that the scales have arrived and
we're subjected to their first real test
this afternoon when they were mounted
by big Jim Jollcy. the southpaw Of
Lockhart, Texas. The scales stood the
strain nicely.