Evening star., 1923-02-16

With the forethought necessary for
a task of the magnitude assumed by
them the officials of Almas Temple
lost no time in broaching the subject
of having big league base ball on
tap for their guests. and Clark Grif-
fifth, prompted by civic zeal and with
an eye on the financial weather vane.
agreed to persuade the American
League schedule makers to consider
the advisability of having the local
club 'at home" during the period re-
ferred to.
The Thing Has Been Done
1t has been done. Just what teams
are listed TO sojourn here during the
festivities cannot be divulged. for the
American League schedule. officially
at least, is shrouded in secrecy and
must remain so until next Tuesday.
but Harry Standiford. secretary of
fhe executive committee of the local
$hriners. and Chairman Ed Snyder
Sf the entertainment committee have
been advised that three different
clubs, representing both the eastern
and western sections of the circuit
during the twelve days from June l
to June -, with the Shrine conven-
ZION carded right in the middle OF the
period. June 5, and 7.
Washington has experienced many
has it had more than two in row
such as it will see next June when
the population of the capital will be
practically doubled for period:
Many thousands of the visitors will
be from sections where base ball OF
a big League brand is not available,
and with the facilities for entertain
ing upward of half a million stran-
gers all too few, jams of record pro-
portions can be counted on.
Washington may not win the pen
nant this year. or ever. but local fans
will get real touch OF world series
atmosphere when they attempt TO
reach their favorite. roosting place at
Mr.. Griffith's stadium any day in the
first week OF June.
Jack BentIey's Case.
If Jack Bentley likes to play base
ball and welcomes the opportunity TO
that he is of real major league cali
ber. some kind friend should induce
him to switch his tactics. Failing to
obtain from Owner Dunn part of the
S65,000 which Baltimore received for
him, in addition to playing material
Bentley has shifted his demands TO
the Giants, informing his purchasers
that he will stay out of the game un-
less they are met.
Bentley has compiled a most re-
markable record with the Orioles his
work in the box, on first base and
with the stick having been a weighty
factor in the runaway race staged by
the Birds in the International League
for the past three years.
His left-handed efforts on the
mound in 1920 enabled him to top
all pitchers of the AA circuit, with
is won and lost, for an earned-run
average of 211 runs per nine-inning
game. In 1921 he was listed fourth.
with II victories, l defeat and
mark Of 235 in effectiveness, while
last season he again headed his fell
low fingers, coping g battles. losing
and yielding an average of but LIS
runs in each regulation contest, Nifty
pitching. this. and paralleled in
batting way by an average of .359
for the three years, his total of 95S
hits in this period including 16S dou-
bles, 56 triples and 81 homers, evil
dence enough that he swats 'em far
AZ well as frequently.
Jeopardizing His Chances.
All this in minor league. of
course. but his admirers always have
refusal to let him advance has pre-
vented Bentley from establishing
himself az big league star, and,
now that Jack has the chance. he is
arate wad of coin from one of the
toughest eggs the game ever has
knowu-John Joseph McGraw.
In one highly important respect
Bentley is well able to voice his de-
~mands, for, with extensive farm hold
ingS in nearby Maryland, he could
give up his off-season side line of
selling automobiles and worry not
at all, base ball or no base ball; but
df he likes the game and wants to
prove to himself as we'll as others
that he possesses real major league
class he will be wise not to rile his
new boss too much. No magn. te in
base ball can better afford or is moro
tIyA AIxv % 1t
for the purpose of maintaining dis
cipline than McGraw.