The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-03-13
Judge Lands Reported to
Be Making Investigation
of Deals.
PIRATES ARE INVOLVED
Alleged 'Cover-Up' Trades
Are Hinted.
BY EDDIE ASH
Times Sports Editor


SARASOTA, Fla, March Is.
According to well-founded
rumors drifting into Sarasota
from big league spring training
camps in Florida, there is great
danger Of Bruno Betzel's cham
pion Indians losing the services
of catcher Roy Spencer, one
Of the most important cogs IN
the tribe machine.
The reports have to do with
rumored Investigations by Judge
Lands, baseball commissioner, into
alleged "cover up" deals between
certain American, Association clubs
and major league teams and is said
to include the Indianapolis and
Pittsburgh clubs.
If the gossip heard today is
authentic there apparently is a con-
troVersy on between Judge Lands,
these two teams and Roy Spencer.
Rumored Around Camp
The status of Spencer, it is re-
ported, may be changed and the
star backstop declared free agent,
if Lands really has the matter
before him, as rumored around the
spring training camp circuit.
If this happens it will be ter
rifle blow to the T'ribeSmen for
Spencer doubtless will be able to
sell himself to a major league team
for a big sum and larger salary than
it is possible to pay in the American
Association.
Spencer was returned to the
Pirates last fall in a reported sale
and several weeks later the Pirates
announced he would not accept
their terms and released him out
right back to the Indians.
Manager Betzell today denied any
knowledge of trouble with the base
ball commissioner and said Spencer
seemed pleased over his 1929 In
dianapolis contract and was giving
his best during spring training
workouts.
Bosses in City
Before Owner Perry left for In
dianapolis last Sunday he denied
there was controversy over any of
his FASTENERS and also denied hav-
ing received any communication
from Lands. Secretary Clauer has
been in Indianapolis several days.
Income tax matters took them back
to indianapolis, the club officials
explained.
If Lands goes through with the
reported probe of alleged 'cover up
transactions, Milwaukee, Mime
apolis and Louisville also may suffer.
and perhaps other A. A. clubs.
Manager Bethel arranged matters
Tuesday in such a way everybody
in camp, including all pitchers, got
a chance to hit. Starting the days
workout, the eleven hurlers took
turns at batting while Outfelder
Barnhart and Catcher Spencer act
ed as moundsmen. Iilf1elders and
outf1elders did the shagging for the
pitchers. Following this innovation
a second batting cage was obtained
and the Tribe regulars were given
their fill of hitting in a double bat
ting drill.
Showers threatened Tuesday
and there wasn't much sunshine,
but the squad got in a full work
out and their spring record of not
missing a day was held intact.
1t was the first day in camp for
Wild Matthews, but an observer
would have thought otherwise. The
hustling lad was out early and re-
manned late and participated in both
outfleld practice and batt;- He
was to go into a huddle today with
Manager Bethel over certain differ
ences with the club bosses over
terms, for he reported at Sarasota
with an unsigned contract and
found that Owner Perry and Secre-
tary Clauer were in indianapolis.
The club executives will return
shortly.
a. Il =
Catcher Bob Mum showed a.
powerful arm in throwing to bases
Tuesday. He was tossing rifle
shots. He has seven seasons of
league ball behind him instead of
three, as reported when the In
dians bought him from Albany.
II
Pitcher Ken Penner was ordered
to consult physician Tuesday
night over some internal ear trou-
BILE that has bothered him since his
flu attack before he reported.